The Deer Dilemma

Jennifer Robinson

Across our villages and countryside, gardeners are at their wits’ end. Deer are ravaging gardens, beheading flowers, chomping hostas to stubs, and grazing their way through hedges and beds. What can you do to keep deer away—and your sanity intact?

Here are some of the best strategies:

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1. Fence It Like You Mean It

A solid fence at least eight feet tall is the gold standard. Double or angled fencing can also be effective, as deer dislike confusing or unfamiliar obstacles. The downside? Fences are expensive, not very pretty, and hard to blend into a natural landscape.

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2. Plant Only What Deer Despise

If you must grow plants deer love, group them in areas you can fence. Otherwise, fill your garden with beautiful deer-resistant or deer-repellent plants, such as:

• Perennials: lavender, salvia, hellebores, lungwort, veronica, allium, anemone, brunnera, bee balm (monarda), coneflower, hardy geranium, daffodils, and most peonies
• Shrubs and trees: boxwood, viburnum, berberis, spruce, pine
• Toxic or unpalatable species: monkshood, foxglove, nightshade, ricinus (castor bean)
• Herbs: sage and most culinary herbs
• Grasses: many ornamental types

Deer avoid these plants due to their smell, texture, or toxicity.

❌ Forget about hostas, yews, cedars, azaleas, fruit trees, roses, tulips, or vegetables like brussels sprouts unless they’re fenced. These are deer delicacies.

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3. Stink Them Off

Deer dislike strong smells. Try:

• Garlic sprays
• Rotten egg and hot pepper-based repellents
• Fish emulsion, bloodmeal, or even human hair

Commercial options like Bobbex and Deer Away can work—but require regular reapplication, especially after rain.

Some gardeners go as far as using lion dung or other predator waste. It may work—but it’s not for the faint of heart!

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4. Scare Them Off

• Dogs are great deterrents—though less helpful at night.
• Motion-activated sprinklers, ultrasonic repellents, and flashing lights can work for a while—until deer adapt.
• Electric fencing, even low-voltage, can be effective (deer often sense the ticking sound). But it’s unsightly and not safe around pets or children.

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Trial, Error, and Acceptance

Every garden is different. What works in one space may fail in another. Some gardeners report that a favourite plant survives simply because the deer haven’t discovered it yet. Others throw in the trowel and plant only what deer tend to avoid.

The hard truth: if deer are hungry enough, they’ll eat almost anything. But a thoughtful mix of deer-resistant plants can still create a spectacular, thriving garden—and help keep you sane.