Will Deer Eat Dahlias?

Dahlias are not a favorite food of deer in most places.

In many parts of the United States, deer populations have increased to the point that they are a serious nuisance for gardeners, consuming anything they can find. This results in yards and gardens stripped bare of expensive shrubs and flowers, unless those plants are deer-resistant.

Fences

In some cases, people choose to put up deer-proof fences to protect their plants from deer. Since deer are able to leap quite high, these fences are often 6 to 8 feet tall and many people find them unsightly.

Repellents

Home remedies such as eggs and water as well as commercial products are available to keep deer away from plants. These have varying levels of success and what works in one area may not work in another.

Resistant Plants

There are some plants that deer do not eat unless they are very hungry. They will eat dahlias, but they tend to leave them alone if there are other plants they prefer in the immediate area.

References

• Brooklyn Botanical Garden; Deer-Resistant Plants; Richard A. Larson; December 1, 2001
• Colorado State University Extension; Preventing Deer Damage; C.E. Swift and M.K. Gross; April 2008
• North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension; Green Thumb Prints: Deer Resistance; Al Cooke; June 2001