If you have cervid in your garden , you ’ll know what this have in mind . When you ’ve been plant shopping , you ’ve probably asked the staff at the nursery to aid you pluck thing that deer wo n’t eat . Yet what does that really have in mind ? .
As a gardener , I hump spring up vibrant impatiens in shady area of my yard . Their bright bloom add daddy of colour where many other plants struggle . However , I ’ve had subject maintain them safe from athirst cervid that wander through my neck of the woods . Are impatiens actually deer resistant plants ? After dealing with decimated bed , I decide to find out .
Unfortunately the resolution is no – impatiens are not resistant to cervid . These animals love the sweet taste of impatiens flowers and leaves making them a prime mark for grazing . According to research by Rutgers University , impatiens are rated as “ occasionally severely damaged ” on their scale of cervid electrical resistance .
This means deer will run through impatiens when consecrate the opportunity , especially if tastier alternative are n’t available . While not a favorite , the colorful blooms and tender leaf seem irresistible to deer . So do n’t be surprised to feel these plants nibble on or altogether gone after a deer chatter your garden .
Why Deer Love to Eat Impatiens
There are a few key reasons cervid target area impatiens :
Sweet flavor – The prime and parting have a sweet , attract taste that deer love life . This have impatiens an tempting bite .
piano leafage – The cutter foliage and stem are easy for cervid to chew and digest . They do n’t have to run hard for a tasty mouthful .
Bright colors – The vivid blooms stand out , Deer spot them easily and gravitate toward the eye - catching color
Shaded home ground – Impatiens boom in shade which is also where cervid lean to lie on hot days . wanton access invest impatiens at high danger .
Lack of defenses – Unlike thorny rose bushes or hazy lamb ’s ear , impatiens have no built - in protections to warn deer from run through them .
Tips for Protecting Impatiens from Hungry Deer
While not deer resistant , there are ways to safeguard your impatiens :
Plant pungent herbs like lavender , sage , and thyme nearby . Deer dislike the strong scent .
Use forcible barriers like fencing or netting to freeze admittance . A 4 - foot tall fence should answer .
Scare deterrents like motion - activated sprinklers or noisemakers may aid warn cervid from draw close .
develop impatiens in hang basket or on elevated surfaces cervid ca n’t reach . A tall plinth full treatment nifty .
employ commercial repellant nebulizer base on eggs or hot peppers around your impatiens . Reapply after rain .
Add blood meal fertilizer to the soil – the feeling repels cervid . Just quash lineal physical contact with plant life leaves .
Will Impatiens Recover if Deer Eat Them?
If cervid collation on your impatiens , the plant life may go back depending on how much terms come :
If most leaves are eaten , Modern growth is unlikely since the remaining stems and root ca n’t support it .
If blossom were nibbled but some foliage stay , prune damage parts and fertilise . New bloom of youth may emerge .
If stems are eaten to the ground , the plant is probably done for the season unless the root organization is intact .
While not deer trial impression , have some care will help discourage these hungry visitant from damaging your impatiens . A few raciness may be tolerable , but repeat snacking will quickly toss off these beautiful tincture plants . Protect them as best you’re able to if deer frequent your area .
Footnote 1 – Rutgers vs. Karen
Where I differ from Rutgers :
Heavenly bamboo(Nandina domestica cvs .. ) are entirely decimated by cervid in my garden ( D+ ! ) . Rutgers lists it as C – which I retrieve is a modification as I curse they used to lean it as B ! ( In Texas and North Carolina it is actually conceive at least B )
Gold dust plant(Aucuba japonica ) – in WA they are C or even D. Rutgers lists it as B.
Let’s be clear: it does NOT mean deer-PROOF.
Now that we have that out of the way , let ’s go into a lilliputian more detail so you could make fresh decision about which plants to buy and where to put them .
My go - to cite for whether or not a plant is deer - resistant is theRutgers web site . The great affair about this situation is that it is back by considerableprofessional experience and observationsand list a plantsLEVELof resistivity ( more about that in a moment ) . The downside is that they are base inNew Jersey , so there is some important variation in their observations and mine here in Washington state . It is , however , an excellent place to begin .
Top 7 Deer Resistant Perennials!
FAQ
Which impatiens are cervid resistant ?
Do impatiens prefer sun or shade ?
How do I keep deer from eating my impatiens ?
What are the best blossom that cervid will not eat ?
Is impatiens a cervid - resistant plant life ?
Impatiens are not cervid - resistant . For some cervid , impatiens are not too tasty , but for others , they are a ‘ pleasurably sweet treat ’ . Deer are web browser app and herbivore , and they are drawn to well-fixed - to - eat , tasty plants .
Do cervid eat Impatiens ?
While Impatiens are certainly beautiful plants , they are also admired by animals like deer and rabbits , but not for their good smell . Animals are likely to eat up Impatiens and can apace clear out a flower bed . Impatiens grow as annual in most domain , so this plant is likely to fall down victim to hungry foragers during the spring , summer , and pass .
Are New Guinea Impatiens cervid resistant ?
While no impatiens kind can be insure to be totally deer - cogent evidence , certain variety show are less palatable to cervid . These include New Guinea impatiens , which have thicker leaves and are less likable to cervid . 5 . Can I imbed impatiens if I have a deer trouble ?
Do Rabbits like Impatiens ?
The flush are what really stand out on this plant , but the glossy foliage is also striking and provides a lovely dividing line against the blooms . While Impatiens are sure enough beautiful plants , they are also admired by animals like cervid and rabbits , but not for their right tone .
Are impatiens perennials ?
Impatiens are perennial plant , but they are not frost - hardy and are more often grown as annuals . These various bedding plants grow rapidly and will flourish in shade or partial Lord’s Day . They are popular for hanging baskets and window box seat and are also idealistic for allow for a splash of color in containers and fill in spread in your blossom borders .
Do creature eat Impatiens ?
If your plants outlast the outpouring of these smaller plague , then a host of larger brute are queuing up to use up your beautiful display of impatiens ! Deer are moderately eminent up on the lean of defendant , but other animals such as rabbits , rat , opossums , and chipmunks will also happily eat impatiens .
