Deer are majestic animals that often wander into our yards and gardens. While they may be beautiful to look at, they can also cause quite a bit of damage to our plants. So, the question becomes, are peony plants safe?

In this blog post, we will take a look at whether or not deer eat peony plants. We will also discuss what you can do to keep deer away from your peonies and other plants in your garden.

Do Deer Eat Peony Plants?

No, deer tend not to eat peony plants. This is generally because deer dislike the fragrant smell and taste of peonies. However, if a deer is particularly hungry, it may be willing to eat just about anything it can, including peonies.

This is good news for those of us who want to keep our peony plants safe from hungry deer. You can rest assured knowing that your peonies are not likely to be eaten by deer unless the deer is very desperate for food.

However, even though deer don’t typically eat peonies, they can still cause damage to the plants. Deer like to rub their antlers on trees and shrubs, which can damage the bark.

How to Protect Peony Plants from Deer?

It’s important to take steps to protect your peony plants from deer, even if the deer are not likely to eat them:

1. Remove sources of food

Deer walk about in search of food, and if they find food in your yard, they will be more likely to stick around. Make sure to remove any sources of food that might attract deer, such as fallen fruit from trees or unsecured garbage cans.

The more food you have in your yard, the more likely deer will be to visit and potentially damage your peony plants.

You may also have plants that deer like to eat, such as hostas or daylilies. These plants should be removed from your yard or garden to further deter deer. Planting deer-resistant plants is also a good idea.

2. Fencing

The most effective way to keep deer away from your peony plants is to build a fence around the perimeter of your yard. The fence should be at least eight feet tall in order to deter deer from jumping over it.

There are many different types of fencing that you can use, but a wire mesh fence is often the most effective. This type of fence will keep deer out while still allowing you to see through it.

However, it is also the most expensive option. If you cannot afford a wire mesh fence, you can try using a netting fence. While this type of fence is not as effective, it can still help to keep deer away from your peony plants. This netting from Amazon gets great reviews.

3. Deer Repellents

If you don’t want to build a fence or remove all of the food sources from your yard, you can try using deer repellents. Repellents work by making the area around your plants unappealing to deer.

There are many different types of deer repellents available on the market, but not all of them are effective. You will need to experiment with different repellents to find one that works for your particular situation.

One of the most popular deer repellents is Bobbex repellent. This product is made from all-natural ingredients and plants, and it is designed to be safe for both people and animals.

You can also choose to search through your kitchen for potential deer repellents. Common kitchen items that work as deer repellents include garlic, chili peppers, and soap. Simply mix these ingredients together and spray them around your peony plants.

4. Hanging Baskets

Another way to protect your peony plants from deer is to hang them in baskets. This will make it more difficult for deer to reach the plants and will also deter them from trying.

You can purchase hanging baskets at most garden stores, or you can make your own. Simply take a regular basket and drill holes in the bottom for drainage. Then, fill the basket with potting soil and plant your peony plants inside.

The great thing about using baskets is that you can move them around as needed. If you notice that deer are starting to eat the plants in one area of your yard, you can simply move the baskets to another location.

5. Sprinklers

Another way to deter deer from your peony plants is to install a sprinkler system. Deer don’t like getting wet, so they will avoid areas where they know they will get sprayed by water.

The randomness of the water spray will also keep deer from getting used to the sprinklers, so they will be less likely to try and brave them. Plus, the water will keep your peonies healthy and stop them from turning yellow.

Installing a sprinkler system is a great way to protect your peony plants without having to put in a lot of effort. Simply turn on the sprinklers when you see deer in your yard, and they will soon learn to stay away.

Can Peonies Be Used as Deer-Resistant Fencing?

One common question that people ask is whether or not peonies can be used as deer-resistant fencing. The answer to this question is yes and no. Peonies can be used as a type of deer-resistant fencing, but they are not the most effective option.

Peonies will deter deer from entering your yard if they are planted along the perimeter. However, deer can still jump over them if they are tall enough. For this reason, peonies are not the best option for a deer-resistant fence.

If you want to use peonies as part of your deer-resistant fencing, you should plant them in addition to a taller fence. This will make it more difficult for deer to jump into your yard, and it will also provide a beautiful border for your property.

Conclusion

In conclusion, peony plants are not on the menu for deer. Deer will avoid eating peony plants if they have other food options available. This is great news for peony lovers, as it means that they can enjoy their plants without worrying about deer destroying them.

There are a few different ways that you can protect your peony plants from deer. One option is to build a fence around your garden. Another option is to use deer repellents. You can also try hanging baskets or installing a sprinkler system.

If you are concerned about deer eating your peony plants, there are a few steps that you can take to protect them. By following the tips above, you can enjoy your peony plants without having to worry about deer destroying them.