Do Deer Eat Mums?
The answer to the question, “Do deer eat Mums?” Is a quick, “Yes.” Of course, they do. Why wouldn’t they? They’re hungry and Mums are abundant, freshly planted and bland as heck.
Here’s a better question. “Why do you want to plant Mums anyway?” Chrysanthemums are indigenous to East Asia and parts of Europe. There’s no benefit to the ecosystem here in planting them. To be fair, the true species Chrysanthemum specimens planted in their home countries would benefit the wildlife there. But the hybridized, cultivar Mums sold in American garden centers are completely sterile. They have zero pollen or nectar to share with our region’s songbirds and butterflies.
It’s peak migration season when you’re thinking about acquiring your Mums. Why not purchase some native species Asters instead? There are lots of Asters with a similar habit to Mums. They bloom at the same time, generous with high quality pollen and nectar. Additionally, out of the approximately 20 Aster species available for sale, several of them are of low interest to deer.
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