Plants That the Herbivores Will Avoid in the Northwest

Fionuala Campionsays in her article , Dazzling Deer - Resistant Perennials , “ Though very refined and delicious to behold in their native habitat , deer are a voracious force to reckon with in many Northern California gardens , in particular in summer and downfall . ” But these proud tool are not just an issue for gardeners on the west coast . There are population of cervid in all 50 states , and all are crunch on the many different plants we ’re grow across the land .

There are a immense raiment of hindrance that can offer various levels of success , but sometimes the in force method acting to discourage pests is growing plants they wo n’t bother with . While termination can always diverge , these four expert - selected plants for the Northwest are the closest you ’ll get to deer - proof .

1. Jerusalem Sage

Name:Phlomisrusseliana

Zones:5–9

Size:24 to 36 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide

Conditions : Full sun to fond wraith ; rich , well - drain territory

Native kitchen range : Mediterranean region

Deer typically avoid the sagelike leaf of this herbaceous perennial because of its fuzzy grain and tenuous fragrance . Jerusalem sage produce basal - leafage clumpsthat can be partly evergreen in mild winters and spread by rootstock , though not too sharply . It isa dramatic show - off from early summertime through tumble , with vivacious yellow flowers that uprise in tier along straight , upright stems . Its hooded bloom petals curlaround the base , offering up nectar to butterflies , bees , and hummingbirds . Leave the dried flower stems on the plants for an attractive fall and winter texture , or cut them for habit in flower arrangements . This is a dandy choice for grow in mass , perhaps along a paries or in a rock garden .

2. ‘Dark Star’ Mountain Lilac

Name:Ceanothus×impressus‘Dark Star’

Zones:8–10

Size:6 to 8 pes marvellous and 8 to 10 feet wide

Conditions : Full sun ; well - drained stain

Native range : Hybrid of California native species

This slow , fast - growing shrub is very attractive tobees but not to deer . It is one of the showy mountain lilacs , stopping traffic in mid to late leap when its little , sullen , textured leaf on wiry stem are covered in fragrant clump of mystifying blue flush . Once establish , it need little to no water and will grow well in poor soil as long as that soil debilitate well . ‘ Dark Star ’ is a good evergreen to grow as a hedge , to fill in large distance in mixed borders , or to deck a cheery hillside . In my garden it is planted in a arras hedge , whereits intense drear blooms show off alongside ‘ Bennett ’s White ’ rock ‘n’ roll rose ( Cistus‘Bennett ’s White ’ , Zones 8–10)and the burgundy foliage of ‘ Royal Cloak ’ barberry ( Berberis thunbergii*‘Royal Cloak ’ , Zones 4–8 ) .

3. ‘Vanessa’ Persian Ironwood

Name:Parrotiapersica‘Vanessa’

Zones:4–8

Size:20 metrical unit tall and 15 animal foot spacious

Conditions : Full sun to partial tint ; average to moist , well - debilitate soil

aboriginal range : northerly Iran

‘ Vanessa ’ is a little to medium - size deciduous tree diagram with a narrower overall mannequin than the straight species . It is adaptable to many territory types and can be quite drouth liberal once established . Because of its low - branching riding habit , I care to use it as a makeweight to add together meridian to a mixed edge , and it is a great scene for humble urban gardens or as a street tree diagram . The wavy - border leaves show an array of colour in different seasons . The foliage emerges wanton green with a Burgundy wine speck , matures to green in summertime , and then transitions to beautiful declivity colors mottledwith carmine , orange , and copper . Other seasonal highlights include lilliputian red blooms in former wintertime and exfoliating , patterned bark .

4. ‘Lemon Fizz’ Lavender Cotton

Name:Santolinarosmarinifolia‘Lemon Fizz’ syn.Santolina virens‘Lemon Fizz’

Zones:6–9

Size:24 to 30 inch tall and wide

condition : Full sun ; dry , well - drain stain

Native compass : westerly and fundamental Mediterranean neighborhood

Because of its vibrant , lemon - yellow foliage , I call this a highlighter playpen for the garden . Tiny , pallid yellow release flowers extend the plant in summer . It grows best in gritty , fast - draining soil , and it will lose its shape and bust open in the center if the soil is too wet . ‘ Lemon Fizz ’ is particularly well suitable to crushed rock garden , where the Harlan F. Stone mulch will prevent browning around the base of the plant . Young plants are hefty and mound but can become semi - woody and misshapen with age . To exert a rounded shape , lightly fleece this industrial plant back after the blooms fade . Deer dislike the intense aroma of the leaf , stems , and root , and historical herbal journal mention that its aromatic cut leg were used in households to repulse worm and moths .

*Invasive Alert:

Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

This plant is consider invasive in AL , CT , DE , GA , IA , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NH , NJ , NY , PA , RI , SC , VA , VT , WI , and WV .

Please visitinvasiveplantatlas.orgfor more information .

Sue Goetz , CPH , is an EcoPro - certify landscape designer , horticulturist , speaker , and author in Tacoma , Washington .

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Photo: Joshua McCullough

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