Do Deer Eat Native Plants?
Yes.
Yes, deer absolutely love to eat certain native plants.
It’s not for everyone, but some people actually WANT to feed the deer. Growing Goldenrod and Aster- the “wildflowers for deer” is the only ethical way to feed the deer that we know.
Most of the time gardeners are looking for native plants that deer will not eat. Which makes sense! Investing in the construction of a garden is effort. Whether it’s done by the homeowner themselves or they hire a landscape contractor, seeing it destroyed by deer is devastating.
Pro-tip:
If you want deer to steer clear from your native plants, choose species that have a tangy or pungent aroma. Beebalm and anything in the Mint family is a good option. Read this article on deer and pumpkins for more strategies to re-direct the deer and co-operate with nature.
For the “Do Deer Eat Native Plants because that’d be a good thing” folks:
The deer and the Solidago species co-evolved, which is why the Goldenrod has such an assertive habit. Goldenrod is one of the deer’s favorite foods, and so it had to keep pace with the deer’s voracious appetite. If you’re confused about a holiday gift for your devoted nature loving friend or family member, look no further. Spread these wildflowers for deer seeds at a woodland edge, open field, meadow, pond edge, or any other spot where you’d like to encourage the deer. It’s also possible to use these seeds to strategically re-direct deer away from your closer-to-home gardens, but your mileage may vary. This mix is a great choice for roadside/highway habitat restoration projects, erosion mitigation, streamside stabilization and riparian zone buffer development.
It’s a rare and beautiful human who actually wants to feed the deer (and/or rabbits) on their property. This seed mix is for them. This assortment of Solidago and Symphyotrichum species (Goldenrod + Aster) are perfect deer food. Easy erosion mitigation and edge habitat building plants that can stand up to the abuse doled out by a hungry herd of deer: thanks to all the people kind enough to consider feeding the deer.
A half pound of this seed is a very generous amount. Therefore, plan to spread it over at least a quarter of an acre. All things considered; a half pound may be enough seed for up to an acre of land. Obviously, it will depend on how densely you hope the wildflowers will grow.
In Memory of Miami Joe: our first ever client to request this lovely concept. Memory Eternal. May St. Joseph protect and make a safe forever home for you, as you did for the Albany Pine bush deer.
