There are a lot of misconceptions about what deer will and won’t eat. Many people think that deer will only eat grass, but this is not the case. Deer are actually quite versatile when it comes to their diet, and they will eat a variety of plants and flowers.

In this blog post, we will discuss whether or not deer eat vinca, and we will provide some tips on how to keep your vinca plants safe from deer damage.

Do Deer Eat Vinca?

No, deer do not typically eat vinca as they dislike the taste of the plant. Vinca emits a strong odor that deer find to be unpleasant, so they usually stay away from this plant. However, if a deer is particularly hungry or desperate, it may nibble on vinca leaves or stems.

Deer may trample vinca plants while they are searching for food or wandering around your garden, so it is important to keep your vinca plants well-protected if you live in an area with a lot of deer.

How to Protect Vinca from Deer?

If you want to keep your vinca plants safe from deer damage, there are a few things you can do.

1. Remove sources of food

Deer go into your garden for one main reason: to find food. If you remove sources of food, such as fallen fruit or nuts, from your garden, deer will be less likely to come in. Think about it…if you were a deer, would you rather go into a garden where there is food available or one where there is no food?

2. Fencing

Fencing is one of the most effective ways to keep deer out of your garden. A tall fence (at least eight feet high) will deter deer from even attempting to jump into your garden. If you choose to go this route, make sure that the fence is made of a material that deer cannot easily break through or push over.

A cost-effective option is to use netting, like this netting from Amazon. It can be easily erected around your garden and will keep deer out without breaking the bank.

3. Deer Repellents

For a quick and easy solution, consider using deer repellent. There are many different types of deer repellents available on the market, so you will need to do some research to find one that is right for you.

Personally, I’ve had great success with this Bobbex repellent. It is all-natural and safe to use around children and pets. Simply spray it on your vinca plants, as well as around the perimeter of your garden, and deer will be repelled.

4. Hanging Baskets

If the deer can’t get to your vinca plants, they can’t eat them! One way to keep deer away from your vinca plants is to hang them in baskets. This will make it difficult for deer to reach the leaves and stems, and they will likely move on to an easier meal. Plus, hanging baskets are beautiful, so it’s a win-win!

5. Sprinklers

Use a motion-activated sprinkler to keep deer away from your vinca plants. Deer are easily scared by sudden movements and loud noises, so a sprinkler that goes off when they approach will likely deter them from coming back. No one wants to get wet, so this is a great way to keep deer away without harming them.

You could also use motion-detected alarms or lights for the same effect. Personally, I hate when houses near me have their high-pitch security alarm going off all night, so I try to avoid using this method.

Can Vinca Be Used as Deer-Resistant Fencing?

Yes! Vinca can actually be used as deer-resistant fencing. The strong odor that vinca emits will deter deer from coming into your garden, and the dense foliage will provide a physical barrier that deer cannot get through.

However, vinca isn’t the best plant for deer-resistant fencing because it can be vulnerable to damage, such as holes from pests. It’s better to use firmer plants, like hedges, as the base of your fence. You can then add vinca around the perimeter for extra protection.

Conclusion

As we have seen, deer dislike the smell of vinca and will usually avoid eating it. However, if they are desperate or hungry enough, they may nibble on the leaves or stems. Deer can also damage vinca plants by trampling them while searching for food.

There are a few things you can do to protect your vinca plants from deer damage. First, remove sources of food from your garden. Second, erect a fence around your garden. Third, use deer repellent. Fourth, hang your vinca plants in baskets. And fifth, use a motion-activated sprinkler.

You can also use vinca as deer-resistant fencing, although I prefer to use firmer plants as the base of my fence and add vinca around the perimeter for extra protection.

What do you think? Do you have any tips for keeping deer away from vinca plants? Share them in the comments below! Thanks for reading!