If you’re a garden enthusiast like I am, you know how frustrating it can be when deer ravage your beautiful plants. If you’re wondering, do deer eat verbena?

Do Deer Eat Verbena?

Deer will generally avoid to eat Verbena. However, if hungry, deer can eat Verbena, as there’s nothing that can stop an hungry deer. That’s why you can’t only rely on deer resistance to keep your plants safe. It is recommended to take measures such as installing deer fencing or using deer repellents to protect your Verbena plants from being consumed by deer.

What does deer resistant mean?

Many gardeners invest a lot of time, effort, and money into maintaining their gardens or flower beds. Nobody wants to see their hard work destroyed by deer foraging behavior, which is why the term “deer-resistant” has become an important concept when choosing what to plant.

There is no single plant that is entirely immune to deer. The ability of a plant to resist deer depends on various factors, such as the size of the deer population, weather circumstances like dry spells, and the taste of the plant.

Deer browsing behavior

Deer have a wide range of food options in the wild and will eat anything that fits in their mouths. Their diet includes flowers, leaves, stems, and fruits, making them a common enemy of gardeners. When it comes to browsing, deer are opportunistic feeders. They tend to stick to a particular area and eat whatever is readily available. If a plant is especially tasty and not protected, deer will keep returning to that area to graze.

Characteristics of Verbena Plants

Garden enthusiasts appreciate the Verbena for its alluring blooms that grow in varying colors like lavender, fuchsia, ivory, crimson, and indigo. This plant is indigenous to the Americas, and its adaptability to environmental changes makes it a robust contender in the botanical world.

Though, it’s worth noting that deer will usually avoid Verbena, yet they may consume it when they are malnourished or have no other options. In the Rutgers University assessment criteria, Verbena falls under the category of rarely encountering severe damage.

Factors that Influence Deer Resistance

Deer-resistant plants are not always the same across regions. The density of the deer population, environmental conditions, and palatability of the plant can all impact deer resistance. It’s important to choose plants with properties like aromatic foliage and tough, leathery, hairy, or prickly leaves.

Deer tend to avoid plants with milky latex or sap, as well.If you want to create a garden full of deer-resistant plants, it’s best to do some research to determine which plants are best suited for your region and specific needs.

Studies and Research on Verbena and Deer Resistance

Studies on the feeding habits of deer suggest that they tend to avoid verbena. While this plant might not be completely deer proof, it’s less likely to be consumed by deer. Verbena is classified as Seldom Severely Damaged, meaning that it’s not a top target for deer.

How to Protect Your Garden from Deer!

Deer are notorious for wreaking havoc on garden landscapes. They love chomping on leaves and crops, leaving your garden in ruins. But fear not, there are plenty of ways to protect your beloved garden from these four-legged foes.

1. Get physical

Fencing: The most effective way to keep deer out is to put up a tall fence around your garden, preferably at least 8 feet high.
Netting: A less permanent option is to cover your plants with deer netting. This keeps them from getting to your plants without harming them.
Double Fence: Build two fences, 4-5 ft apart, 3 ft high each. They are inexpensive, but they create a visual obstacle that deer are reluctant to jump.

2. Scare them away

Ultrasonic devices: These emit high-frequency noises that are unpleasant to deer. Place them around your garden to keep the deer at bay.
Motion-activated sprinklers: Startle the deer with sudden, unexpected bursts of water. They will quickly learn to avoid your garden.
Wind chimes: Hang wind chimes near your garden. The sound of them blowing in the wind will scare the deer away.

3. Repel them with smells

Deer-resistant plants: Grow plants that deers avoid like lavender, thyme, and sage. Deer don’t like plants with strong fragrances or fuzzy leaves.
Soap: Hang deodorant soap from trees near your garden. The fragrant soap works as a deterrent.
Repellent Spray: Deer repellent sprays work well to create a perimeter around plants and can also be sprayed directly on plants.

4. Give them a reason to stay away

Deer Resistant Plants: Planting deer-resistant species will keep them from coming to your garden in the first place.
Alternative Food Sources: Plant fruit trees, oat, wheat, or clover, outside of your garden to lure deer away and keep them satiated.

By using a combination of these methods, you can ensure a deer-free garden. Put up a fence, plant deer-resistant species, use motion-activated sprinklers, and give them alternative food sources away from your garden. You’ll be well on your way to growing the garden of your dreams.

Conclusion

So, do deer eat Verbena plants? Verbana is considered deer-resistant, however, this will not stop an hungry deer. That’s why it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to deer and your favorite plants.

One thing you can do is to put up deer fencing around your plants, which can help keep hungry deer from getting too close. Another option is to use deer repellents that can work to keep deer away from your precious plants. By taking these measures, you can rest easy knowing that your Verbena plants are safe from the hungry mouths of any passing deer.