Deer Free Annual Plants
If you have a garden--but live in an area where deer visit your yard--you'll need to select plants that are not appealing to deer to keep your flowers intact. A number of annual plants are deer-proof or deer-resistant, with bold colors and shapes that will make your garden fragrant and beautiful. Does this Spark an idea?
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Scrambled Eggs
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Corydalis aurea, a flower commonly referred to as "scrambled eggs" for its bold yellow flowers that resemble the breakfast food, is native to North America. Well-drained soil that is moist and nutrient-rich and partial shade are necessary for the flower to thrive. The flowers bloom in spring, and are complemented by medium or sea-green leaves. While the Corydalis aurea flower is prey to slugs and aphids, it is deer-free because it tastes bitter and is actually toxic.
Pot Marigold
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Pot marigold flowers grow annually in eye-catching colors of yellow and orange. They are native to the southern region of Europe, but grow well in the United States. Its leaves tastes bitter, and the petals are boldly spicy, which is why the beautiful blooms are unattractive to deer. Humans, however, can consume pot marigold. The flower is used as a food coloring for butter and cheese, or as seasoning for fish or rice dishes.
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Datura Metal
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Datura metal, also called the Horn of Plenty, flowers in summer. The shrub grows between 2 and 4 feet tall, and prefers soil that is moist and abundant in nutrients, but will tolerate soil that is of average quality. Bell-shaped flowers that are about 7 inches long in shades of purple, white or yellow contrast the yellowish-green pointed leaves. Deer won't ruin the Datura because all sections of the plant are poisonous, according to North Carolina State University.
Foxglove
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The foxglove plant is characterized by its thin stalks of flowers ranging from pink to magenta; it is beautiful to look at, but toxic for deer to eat, making it an attractive plant for your garden. Foxglove is technically a biennial, so the flower won't bloom the first year it's planted. It takes 20 to 30 days to germinate, and grows up to 4 feet tall. Foxglove blooms during the months of June, July, August and September, and prefers to grow in shade. Foxglove also is not for human consumption.
Strawflower
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The strawflower is an annual flower that can grow about 36 inches tall, with blooms of red, white, pink, orange, and yellow. Full sun is best for these flowers, as well as soil that is slightly moist but drained thoroughly. The seed takes a week or two to germinate, and the flowers are often used for decoration when dried. The naturally dry texture of strawflower also makes the plant unattractive to deer, who are not likely to walk through your garden to consume the blooms.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit pink marigold flower image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
