Deer are beautiful creatures that can be found in many parts of the world. While they are lovely to look at, they can also be a nuisance when they start eating plants in your garden. But are your prized hellebores safe from these playful pests?
In this article, we’ll take a look at whether or not deer eat hellebore and what you can do to protect your plants.
Do Deer Eat Hellebores?
No, deer don’t tend to eat hellebores. They are one of the most disliked plants by deer, so you can safely plant them in your garden without worry. As a perennial, they will come back year after year and provide you with beautiful blooms.
If you’re looking for a plant that deer won’t eat, hellebore is a great option. However, deer that are starving may eat just about anything, so it’s always a good idea to take precautions. Plus, deer can trample and damage hellebores, so it’s important to keep them away from your plants.
How to Protect Hellebores from Deer?
To keep your hellebores looking their best, there are a few things you can do to protect them from deer.
1. Remove Any Attractive Plants
Deer go into your garden for a reason – they’re looking for food. If you have any plants that deer find attractive, such as Hostas, remove them from the area. This will make your hellebores less appealing to deer and help keep them safe.
This tip extends to any fruit trees or shrubs that you may have. If deer can smell the fruit, they will be more likely to come into your garden and start snacking on anything they can find.
2. Fencing
If deer are still finding their way into your garden, you may need to put up a fence. A simple wire fence can be enough to keep deer out, as they don’t like jumping over barriers. I recommend a fence that’s six feet tall, as deer can jump pretty high.
If you live in an area with a lot of deer, you may need to go for a taller fence. You can also try electric fences, which will give the deer a mild shock and deter them from coming into your garden.
As fencing can be expensive, you may want to use netting as a temporary measure. There are net fences, like this netting from Amazon, that are specifically designed to keep deer out.
3. Deer Repellents
If deer so still managing to get into your garden, you may need to use a deer repellent. There are many different products on the market, so it’s important to choose one that is effective and safe for your plants.
I like this Bobbex repellent, which is one of the most reliable on the market. It’s made from all-natural ingredients and is safe to use in the garden. Simply spray it on your plants and the deer will stay away.
Deer repellents work by making the plants taste bad, so the deer will avoid eating them. You’ll need to reapply the repellent every few weeks, or after it rains, to make sure it stays effective
You can also make your own deer repellent at home. I recommend taking an egg, garlic, cayenne pepper, and water, and then blending them together. This will make a stinky mixture that deer will not want to come near.
4. Keep Them Out of Reach
You can also try to keep your hellebores out of reach by planting them in raised beds or hanging baskets. This way, the deer won’t be able to reach them and will leave them alone. You may need to hang them higher than 8 feet, as deer can jump pretty high.
In addition, hanging baskets add more character to your garden and are a great way to show off your plants. I like to mix the colors and varieties of hellebores to create a unique and beautiful display.
Can Hellebores Be Used as Deer-Resistant Fencing?
Yes, hellebores can be used as deer-resistant fencing. Simply plant a row of hellebores around the perimeter of your garden and the deer will not be able to get in. Hellebores are an effective way to keep deer out, as they don’t like the taste of the plants.
However, deer will trample on hellebore plants if you have tasty plants nearby. This is why I recommend pairing the hellebores with other deer-resistant plants and using fencing to keep the deer away from your garden.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hellebores are a great way to keep deer out of your garden. They’re an effective and safe deer-resistant plant that can be used in many different ways. If you have a problem with deer in your garden, I recommend trying some of the tips and tricks above.
It’s important to note that deer are wild animals that will eat anything if they are hungry enough. If you live in an area with a lot of deer, it’s important to take steps to protect your plants. Fencing and deer repellents are the best way to keep deer out of your garden.
Do you have any tips for keeping deer out of the garden? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading!
Tim is an avid gardener from the UK. He was the founder of PlantCarer.com from 2021 to Sep 2023. He sold PlantCarer.com to Aaron. He has since started his own business called Seed To Supper, which provides new gardeners all the materials you need in a box (pots, seeds, compost and instructions) to grow your own delicious and nutritious vegetables and herbs from start to finish – no garden required.
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