In Texas deer are natives. Humans are implants and must learn to co-exist with these doe-eyed creatures. Our family has become quite fascinated with the deer living in the surrounding area. However, frustration boiled over when it came to finding deer resistant plants for our landscaping.
We researched deer resistant plants extensively prior to purchasing anything for our planter boxes. We read the propaganda. We consulted the experts. In the end, the deer dine lavishly on our bounty.
Deer Resistance: Lesson Learned
I can tell you two deer resistant plants not to consider for your Texas landscape right now: Fire Power Nandina and Mexican Petunia. Both of these are delightful specimens. They grow pretty much in any soil, come back every year, and really stand up to the heat and drought. However, they are like lettuce at the salad bar to deer.
I first suspected the deer had grazed on my beds after seeing a few torn leaves here and there. I did a little research and heard sprinkling Tabasco on your plantings will keep deer at bay. Not our deer, they love Tabasco! The day after I treated my plants they were chewed to the stems, bared of their leaves, and looking like I had gone mad with the weed whacker.
So, Tabasco does not work. What does work? Obviously the deer did not know they were resistant to the Nandina or the Petunia. A few online friends suggested sprinkling the plants with human male urine, coyote urine, human hair, or Irish Spring soap.
Luckily, we have a male in the house and his new job is to mark the plants. The next time I trim any bangs, the clippings are going to the garden. I am buying some Irish Spring on my next grocery run. But, I cannot seem to convince anyone to collect coyote urine for me. Thank goodness I was directed to the local hardware store for a dried version of the stuff.
11 Deer Resistant Plantings for Your Texas Landscape
Through trial and error I have managed to plant some landscaping the deer will not touch. Coincidentally, these plants are pretty native to Texas. Some even attract butterflies and hummingbirds to our yard, a nice little bonus. One, the Sotol, I can turn into a bottle of Tequila when it matures in 15 years!
The 11 deer resistant plants I have planted in my yard:
Lantana
Oleander
Pampas Grass
Prickly Pear Cactus
Rosemary
Texas Mountain Laurel
Texas Sage
Sago Palm
Sotol
Yaupon Holly
Yucca
My Texas landscaping adventures brought me to realize it is better to plant what grows naturally. For centuries the deer have been experimenting with what they will and will not eat. If you follow their lead, your landscaping efforts will succeed.
Just because a plant has been labeled deer resistant does not mean it is. Deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough. Accept that fact and grow what is native to Texas.
