Is Bishop's Weed Plant Deer Resistant?

Deer like to browse on bishop's weed.

Since 2000, deer damage to gardens has increased. Deer prefer some plants, such as bishop's weed, to others. To protect your landscape, plant susceptible species behind fencing, close to the house or inside a ring of less-preferred plants.

Deer Resistance

Bishop's weed, also known as goutweed, snow on the mountain or Aegopodium podagraria Variegatum, is not deer resistant and frequently sustains deer damage. Deer prefer moist, lush foliage, such as that found on the bishop's weed.

Features

Bishop's weed, a herbaceous perennial, spreads outward from its center. A hardy ground cover, bishop's weed grows up to 1 foot tall. Foliage is pale, grayish-green with white variegation along leaf edges. In June, bishop's weed produces white flowers on 2-foot tall stems.

Cultivation

Bishop's weed can grow in partial sun to full shade. The plant prefers moist, well-drained soil and is not tolerant of heat, strong sun or drought. This European native thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8.

Usage

Bishop's weed can be used for edgings, borders and in raised planters. It spreads aggressively, so plant it in a restricted root zone area.

References

• West Virginia University Extension Service: Resistance of Ornamentals to Deer Damage
• North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension: Deer Problems in the Landscape
• Ohio State University: Aegopodium Podagraria 'Variegatum'

Resources

• North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension: Aegopodium Podograria