Bambi. He’s so majestic, and part of the joy of living and gardening in Colorado Springs is watching the deer walk through your yard on a peaceful morning. That is, until Bambi gets hungry and devours your plants! Deer are not picky eaters and with a population of 445,000 in Colorado, it’s a problem many a local plant lovers will run into. Annuals, perennials, and even bulbs are fair game for a snack, but by choosing deer resistant plant materials and spraying safe deer repellants you can enjoy seeing the deer in your yard without feeding the neighborhood herd.
Deer Resistant Plants
It is important to note that no plant is 100% deer proof. A very hungry animal will eat what it must to survive. These plants are known to perform well amongst hungry deer and rabbit.
Perennials:
Black Eyed Susan
Blanket Flower
Bleeding Heart
Catmint
Columbine
Coneflower
Coreopsis
Gayfeather
Iris
Lily of the Valley
Lupine
May Night Salvia
Russian Sage
Sedum
Shasta Daisy
Yarrow
Annuals:
Alyssum
Bidens
Dusty Miller
Lobelia
Marigold
Salvia
Verbena
Zinnia
Trees:
Crape Myrtle
Maple
Serviceberry
Spruce
White Fir
Bushes & Shrubs:
Blue Mist Spirea
Butterfly Bush
Lilac
Mock Orange
Potentilla
Viburnum
Yarrow, Russian Sage, Barberry, and Coreopsis provide great color.
Bulbs:
Autumn Crocus
Daffodil
Fritillaria
Hyacinth
Deer Favorites to Avoid
- Clematis
- Coleus
- Geraniums
- Hosta
- Pansies
- Petunias
- Tulips
If some of your favorite plants and flowers are in line with what deer love to lunch on you can try a deer repellant spray to deter them. The goal with these sprays is to use both a taste and smell that deer do not like. Often this is a combination of mint, egg, and spices. A variety of these sprays are available at local nurseries or you can attempt to make your own.
Deer deterrent being sprayed on flowers.
