Deer and rabbits can pose significant challenges for gardeners, landscapers, and conservationists. These herbivores can cause extensive damage to plants, particularly young seedlings and saplings. However, by strategically employing native plants and adopting specific planting techniques, it’s possible to mitigate the effects of deer and rabbits on your landscape. This article will explore how to effectively use native plants to discourage these animals, drawing on insights from research and practical experience.
Understanding the Problem: Deer and Rabbit Behavior
Deer and rabbits are opportunistic feeders that favor tender, young plants, which are often the most susceptible to damage. Deer typically browse the tops of plants, while rabbits usually clip shoots and girdle stems, potentially killing young trees and shrubs. Both animals are attracted to areas with abundant cover, as it provides protection from predators. Therefore, managing vegetation to reduce cover near landscape beds can help deter these animals.
The Role of Native Plants in Deterring Herbivores
Native plants are well-adapted to local conditions and can make a landscape less appealing to deer and rabbits. Some native plants are naturally less palatable to these animals due to their chemical composition, thorny structures, tough foliage, or other physical traits. Incorporating these plants into your landscape can help deter browsing.
The S.T.O.P. Method: A Guide to Choosing Protective Plants
To help you remember which types of plants protect your garden from deer and rabbits, think of the S.T.O.P. acronym:
1. S – Spiky (Tough Stems or Thorns)
2. T – Textured (Fuzzy Leaves)
3. O – Odorous (Pungent Aroma)
4. P – Poisonous (or Bitter Tasting)
Let’s examine each category and discover the native plants that meet these criteria.
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#1. S – Spiky (Tough Stems or Thorns)
Plants that have thorns or tough, spiky stems are naturally unattractive to deer and rabbits. These plants have evolved to defend themselves against herbivores, making them perfect for forming a barrier around more vulnerable plants.
Examples of Spiky Native Plants:
– Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium): This plant has tough, spiky leaves that deter browsing.
– Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium spp.):Although it may not be as spiky as some other plants, its sturdy stems and rough texture deter herbivores.
– Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis): This plant features rough textured leaves that can help keep rabbits and deer away.
These plants not only help safeguard your garden but also enhance the visual appeal of your landscape.
2. T – Textured (Fuzzy Leaves)
Deer and rabbits tend to favor plants that have smooth, tender leaves. They often steer clear of plants with fuzzy, rough, or hairy textures because these are less appealing to eat.
Examples of Native Plants with Textured Leaves:
– Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): The fuzzy leaves of this plant make it unappealing to deer and rabbits.
– Coneflower (Echinacea spp.): The coarse texture of coneflower leaves discourages browsing.
These plants are readily available during the gardening season and can increase your landscape’s biodiversity.
3. O – Odorous (Pungent Aroma)
Deer and rabbits possess a keen sense of smell, and plants with strong fragrances can deter them. Aromatic plants can obscure the scent of more appealing plants, making it more challenging for animals to find their preferred food sources.
Examples of Odorous Native Plants:
– Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum): This plant emits a pleasant aroma that keeps deer and rabbits away.
– Wild Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa): The strong fragrance of beebalm and other members of the mint family effectively repels herbivores.
– Sage (Salvia spp.): The fragrant leaves of sage are unappealing to deer and rabbits.
Whether the smell is pleasant or pungent to humans, strong-smelling plants are effective deterrents for deer and rabbits.
4. P – Poisonous (or Bitter Tasting)
Deer and rabbits have learned to avoid plants that are toxic or have a bitter taste. Such plants are naturally unappealing to herbivores and can be used to help protect more vulnerable species.
Examples of Poisonous or Bitter Native Plants:
– Milkweed (Asclepias spp.): Milkweed has toxic compounds that make it unappealing to deer and rabbits. Additionally, it serves as a crucial plant for monarch butterflies.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a type of milkweed with a bitter sap that deters browsing.
– Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Certain species of goldenrod produce bitter compounds, making them less appealing to deer and rabbits.
– Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana): This tree has a bitter flavor and is seldom eaten by deer.
– Columbine (Aquilegia spp.): The bitter flavor of columbine leaves makes them unappealing to herbivores.
Don’t worry about harming animals by using these plants as deterrents. They are usually avoided altogether, and even if consumed, they won’t cause lasting damage.
Planting Techniques to Reduce Herbivore Damage
Besides choosing the right plants, how you plant them can significantly reduce damage from deer and rabbits. Here are some effective techniques:
1. Soil Mounding and Improved Drainage
The Smoky Waters study demonstrated that soil mounding, similar to the Walk-A-Way system created by Forrest Keeling, can improve drainage and reduce the impact of flooding on tree growth. This technique also forms raised planting beds, making it more difficult for rabbits to access seedlings. Enhanced drainage promotes plant health and renders the area less attractive to rabbits, which typically prefer moist environments.
2. Companion Planting
Companion planting involves growing certain plants together to provide mutual benefits. For example, the Smoky Waters study showed that planting redtop grass alongside oak seedlings can help suppress weeds and reduce rabbit damage. The grass provides less cover for rabbits, making them more exposed to predators and less likely to cause damage.
3. Creating Barriers
Physical barriers can effectively protect young plants from deer and rabbits. Fencing and tree guards are the most evident solutions, but can be costly and visually intrusive. Alternatively, you can create natural barriers using dense, thorny, or aromatic plants. For instance, planting a row of hawthorn or blackberry around the perimeter of your new planting area can discourage animals from entering.
4. Reducing Cover for Rabbits
As the Smoky Waters study showed, rabbits are more likely to cause landscape damage in areas with ample, nearby cover. By managing vegetation to reduce cover, you can make the area less attractive to rabbits. For example, mowing or removing tall forbs and grasses in the winter can reduce rabbit density and associated damage.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Discouraging Deer and Rabbits
Utilizing native plants to deter deer and rabbit damage requires a comprehensive approach that integrates plant selection, planting methods, and habitat management. By selecting native plants that are less appealing to these animals—such as those with spiky stems, fuzzy leaves, strong scents, or bitter flavors—you can cultivate a landscape that is more resilient to herbivore damage. Furthermore, enhancing drainage, practicing companion planting, and minimizing cover can further boost the effectiveness of your efforts.
The Smoky Waters/Plowboy Bend study offers valuable insights into how natural disturbances, like flooding and rabbit damage, can affect plant growth. By applying these lessons, you can develop a more sustainable and wildlife-resistant landscape that supports native plants while minimizing the impact of deer and rabbits.
For more information on planting techniques and native plant selection, visit Forrest Keeling Nursery. Their Walk-A-Way system exemplifies how innovative planting methods can enhance plant survival and minimize herbivore damage.