So, do deer eat persimmons? Similar to Husker Red but with pale pink flowers and darker red foliage. Look for annual and perennial salvias to fill your garden with low-maintenance color and attract hummingbirds too. Although not as drought tolerant as cactus, many species do grow well in desert-like climates. Named after the Macedonian King of Thrace (Lysimachus), Lysimachia punctata (Yellow Loosestrife) is a perennial plant with great ornamental value, producing sturdy, upright stems loaded with abundant spikes of cup-shaped, golden yellow flowers, tinged with red at their heart. 0000073421 00000 n We love this plant because it offers many great features: It's long blooming, it resists heat and drought, it's a wonderful cut flower, and best of all, deer and bunnies don't like it. Salvia, or sage plants, include a range of species, most of which are considered deer-resistant for the same reason that deer do not eat catmint and bee balm: they stink. 0000002079 00000 n COLOR SPIRESandProfusionSalviaZones 3-8. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. However, if they do eat one of these plants, they'll likely go for the flowers before the foliage. If they are hungry enough, deer will eat pretty much anything. A top plant for this region, there are dozens of types of penstemon. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. Don't let its common name fool you: Wormwood is a great garden plant. Try pairing it with ornamental grasses for a bold, unique contrast. Their height makes them good choices for the back row of a layered flower bed. Mushrooms -are high in phosphorous and proteins that aid in the growth and development of deer muscles. The most common flower colors are shades of blue, purple, pink, white and red, some with distinctive veining and white throats. 0000012671 00000 n 0000052892 00000 n Its also one of the longest-lived and one of the easiest to grow from seed. Ornamental grasses are popular landscape plants and surprisingly, deer tend to stay away from them. . Digitalis plants are tall, slender perennials at 2 to 5 feet tall and just 1 to 2 feet wide. Proven Winners varieties of Russian sage have tidy habits that wont spill over onto their neighbors in the garden. Ants also dislike the smell of lavender, which has made thisdeer-resistant perennialuseful for organic ant control. (Zones: 4-8; Height: 1 to 3 feet; Bloom time: Early to midspring), One of the few that are fragrant, honey-scented light pink flowers are held high on spikes as tall as 6 feet. Most have fan-shaped foliage that looks ornamental even when not in bloom. This can be done by taking softwood cuttings of nonflowering shoots in mid to late summer or by dividing plants in late winter or early spring. 0000019263 00000 n GROUNDCOVERS: Ajuga-Bugleweed: Lamium-Dead nettle: Deer and rabbits are the two that are most troublesome. Do deer eat Penstemon plants? Lets look at 22 options that deer typically pass by in favor of tastier treats down the road: LEADING LADY, UPSCALEandPARDON MYMonardaZones 4-8. Daniel Xu 09.09.13. Do deer and rabbits eat Shasta daisies? Click here to learn more about growing globe thistles. Deer Resistant Perennials: Stop Planting All-You-Can-Eat Garden Buffets - Lemon Thyme Lemon Thyme has a lovely lemon scent with bright golden edged leaves. All Rights Reserved. What plants do deer hate the most? Some species are under 10 inches tall, while others can grow up to 6 feet. Rather, the term is meant to call attention to plants that deer find less attractive than the other choices on its menu. Penstemon digitalis, commonly called foxglove beardtongue, is a clump-forming, Missouri-native perennial which typically grows 3-5' tall and occurs in prairies, fields, wood margins, open woods and along railroad tracks. "Jack" is the little spike that stands up within this hood and contains insignificant flowers (which you do not really see). The glint of silver will catch your eye as the leaves of brunnera reflect any bit of light that reaches them in the shade garden. All Rights Reserved. Choose a permanent place when planting, as their deep tap root which makes them highly drought tolerant also makes them difficult to transplant. Find out where you fall in the USDA Hardiness Zones database. One look at this plant's unique flowers tells you where it gets its common name. Deadheading will also prolong flowering, but be sure to leave a few seed heads on the stalks toward the end of the season so your plants can reseed. Cats, on the other hand, famously love the leaves of this perennial herb. A tough perennial native to areas of North America, it bursts forth with clusters of orange flowers in summer. Alternatively, you can stratify the seeds in the refrigerator for three months if you plan to start them indoors. It is easy to see why deer would not want to eat prickly plants; it is not so easy to figure out why deer are turned off by the velvety leaves of lamb's ear. Deer also tend to steer clear of it (like they do of most other grasses) so you don't have to fear it being mowed down. Gently tamp down soil around the base and water well. One thing to keep in mind, though no plants are totally deer proof. It can thrive in a range of humidity conditions. ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Petunias produce flowers from May through October in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, red, white and yellow. Feed beardtongue plants once a year with organic fertilizer, applied in the fall. * Required FieldsWe will never sell or distribute your email to any other parties or organizations. Popular types of salvia include common garden sage (Salvia officianalis) as well as various ornamental species and cultivars. schmidel. It is not just poisonous plants and plants with strong, sharp odors that deer mostly avoid. The 24 Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds. Generally speaking, peonies are not a flower deer like to eat. Size: From 1 to 4 feet tall and 6 to 36 inches wide, depending on type. This is one of our favorite perennials. Penstemons dont compete well with other plants, so give them plenty of space in the garden. Its leaves do not hang around for very long at all, and soon after it is done flowering, the whole plant (above ground) disappears. There is almost nothing a deer will not eat if it is hungry enough, but some plants, optimistically termed "deer resistant," are lower on the deer's list of preferred dining. These are some of the most adaptable and widely available choices: A showy plant with erect spikes of 2-inch-long reddish-orange flowers and glossy lance-shaped leaves. Columbine plants display colorful flowers against a backdrop of attractive, clover-like foliage. Success of any of these plants in the landscape will depend on local deer populations and weather conditions. They may chew a few buds and occasionally pull off a leaf or two, but the plant is allowed to reach maturity with little molestation. Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' boasts splendid variegated leaves in three colors: white, green, and purple. 24 Pink Flowers That Add Bold Beauty to Any Garden, Low-Maintenance Perennials for the Northeast, 15 Beautiful Native Plants for Southwestern Gardens, Create a Beautiful Butterfly Garden with These Plants, The Best Low-Maintenance Summer Perennials for the Midwest, 25 Low-Maintenance Perennial Flowers Perfect for Beginners, 10 Tough Flowers for California Gardens That Are Hot and Dry, Low-Maintenance Perennials for the Pacific Northwest, 13 Summer-Flowering Shrubs That Are Super Easy to Grow, The Best Low-Maintenance Perennials for Southern Gardens, 11 Full-Sun Flowers That Bring Color Even When It's Hot and Dry, 15 Top Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest, 15 Top Native Plants for Southern Gardens, Top Deer-Resistant Plants of Georgia and the Other Southern States, Click here to learn more about top alliums to plant this fall in your garden, Click here to learn more about coralbells, Click here to learn more about growing globe thistles, Click here to learn more about other great grasses, Click here to learn more about growing penstemon, Click here to learn more about growing purple coneflower, Click here for a selection of top coneflower varieties, Click here to learn more about growing Russian sage, Click here to learn more about Shasta daisy, Click here to learn more about growing wormwood, Click here to learn more about growing yucca. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, this Salvia is a real magnet for . Most penstemons are 1 to 3 feet tall, but Palmer's penstemon can grow up to 6 feet, giving you options for the middle and back of the border. In Southern gardens, plants that don't have adequate soil drainage or are planted too closely together may succumb to powdery mildew or Southern blight, a fungal disease also known as white mold. Cultivars include 'Blue Springs' and Electric Blue. You have an extra reason to grow it if your yard suffers from deer attacks. 0000030730 00000 n Cosmos flower spreads an aromatic smell that is disliked by the deer so they do not eat cosmos. Discover the right perennial plants for your garden. By planting a variety of trees, you can ensure at least one ripe food source throughout the season. Planting them in raised beds or sloped areas will help them survive wet conditions. Another variety with colorful foliage, Husker Red features striking maroon-red leaves that rival the bronzy purple foliage of Palace Purple heuchera. Size: From 6 to 36 inches tall and 6 to 24 inches wide, depending on type. Let's be frank: there are no absolutely 100% deer-proof plants. Penstemon love hot, sunny, dry growing conditions. Size: To 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide, depending on type. This selection has brilliant cherry-red flowers held on tall, upright stems above dense, glossy green foliage. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The smell of peonies in bloom may . }FXQb4V`*d_JF6ncZE}fS0j>k3?G9$f@PMv8_+<6$5) #%6i`:c&SQ[sXfHgljJKC{HVSRGE0Dh For some types, the sky-blue color is as stunning as it is on the blue morning glory vines (Ipomoea tricolor). Plants that are deer-resistant are often rabbit-resistant as well. Plants can grow as trailing ground cover or as hedges. Read our. Spot On and 'Pink-a-Blue' PulmonariaZones 3-9. Like some of the other deer-resistant perennials, this classic cottage garden plant is toxic. 0000012648 00000 n This tactic in deer control simply allows you to play the odds through smart plant selection. All of the 22 perennials listed here are considered deer-resistant and are hardy to at least USDA planting zone 5 (unless otherwise noted). Not all irises are equally fragrant. Hybrids bred for garden conditions are not as drought tolerant as native species and may require watering during prolonged dry spells. Many people may not know that deer, like some other herbivores, eat meat from time to time. Beardtongue doesn't need pruning but can benefit from cutting off the spent flowers down to the stem to encourage new blooms. Trees: DO NOT prune red oaks and live oaks unless damaged. Storm Cloudand'String Theory'AmsoniaZones 4-9. When that happens, it is a spectacular plant, as the species name suggests. Deer also tend to steer clear of it (like they do of most other grasses) so you don't have to fear it being mowed down. If you prefer blue flowers, grow any of the blue-flowering salvias. It is long-lived and fuss-free. This is a tall plant, reaching about 3 feet in height. Size: To 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide. They are also low in tannins that inhibit digestion. Though they are easy to grow, Astilbes have one critical requirementlots of water. They come in many different colors, including bicolored varieties. Do deer eat Penstemon plants? It, like many other plants disliked by deer, bears scented foliage -- so it's nice to grow this plant where you can occasionally walk by and enjoy its scent. Deer love some types of food that are not necessarily available all the time. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The narrow lance-shaped leaves remain evergreen year-round. White-tailed deer are absolute plant-eating machines, but understanding what foods they prefer to eat will vastly improve your knowledge and effectiveness in both managing and hunting them. If food is scarce enough, hungry deer have been . These plants are prairie natives and prefer rocky or sandy lean soil types rather than rich garden loam. Deer are especially attracted to moist plants, such as petunias, in spring and summer. Deer typically pass this short perennial right on by because of its finely textured foliage. For this reason, it is much-valued by those who must endure long bouts of cabin fever every winter. That is why deer usually feed on small animals, like; rabbits, frogs, squirrels, birds, or sometimes fish as well. The plantain family (Plantaginaceae) gifts us with some wonderful ornamental flowering plants, including snapdragons, foxglove, and the valuablePenstemon genus,which contains more than 250 beardtongue species ready to grow in your garden. The splendid peony has large, beautiful, fragrant flowers. Note that when other food sources are extremely scarce, rabbits may feed on plants that are otherwise considered rabbit-proof. As fall approaches, whitetails must find and consume large quantities of carbohydrate-rich foods such as acorns, chestnuts, apples and pears. 0000012166 00000 n 0000017159 00000 n Like most herbs, it's deer resistant because of its fragrant foliage. Blooming for weeks from late spring to late summer, the flowers rise above whorls of light green serrated leaves . !?|O.Q"m5"%bD}?:Dq& GDPP)p!jnAqbIaT)\b +A_KR;.MLbEuV3sGFu[;F.$GH>fatsG6A)bD1&030l9 All you have to do is harvest the leafy stems, hang them up to dry, then crush the dried leaves for your cat. Maybe they are too dry (like eating wool)? The serrated foliage is a bit too thick and tough to chew, so the deer move on to another selection. If you like plants that are cute and funky, this North American native could be a good one for you to grow. Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil. Lamb's ear is another case of a deer-resistant perennial that is hard to figure. February 2013. They are extremely sensitive to poorly draining soils and winter moisture. Sandy soil will help the pink blooms appear from mid-summer to early fall as well.. Stachys. This perennial is easy to grow from seeds planted in spring to early summer. Beardtongue is of the genus Penstemon, while foxglove is of the genus Digitalis. Plant your beardtongue in an area that receives full sun. Plants that rabbits dislike include lavender, penstemon, artemesia, hyssop, sages, shasta daisy, gaillardia, common butterfly bush, blue mist spirea and columbine. Penstemons tolerate drought, but 1 inch of water per week in the summer will keep plants vigorous and promote better blooming. A purple blush at the base of each floral light bulb only enhances the brilliant display, as does the attractive narrow evergreen foliage. Click here to learn more about growing columbine. Tip: Many coreopsis do best if divided every few years to keep them vigorous and floriferous. Lenten rose is one of those spring flowersthat bloom early in the season. This answer isn't very helpful to anyone trying to put in attractive landscape plants or grow a vegetable garden. These plants have earned a reputation as being most passed up by deer in your region. 0000008351 00000 n Blooming showy white flowers for about one month in late Spring, it attracts numerous species of long-tongued bees and hummingbirds. Brunnera makes a beautiful companion for ferns, foamflowers and other deer resistant shade perennials. Features white, two-lipped, tubular flowers (to 1.25" long) borne in panicles atop erect, rigid stems. Microorganisms allow symbiotic links between the deer digestive system and the foods it needs to digest and process to use for nutrients for the animal. Thyme is an excellent ground cover for sunny areas and is classically grown in between stepping stones in pathways or patios. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, A State-by-State Guide to Deer Resistant Plants, How to Grow and Care for 'Black Knight' Delphinium, 31 Best-Deer Resistant Flowers and Plants to Grow, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 25 Low-Maintenance Ground Cover Plants for Sun and Shade, 18 Perennial Flowers That Bloom in Spring, Summer and Fall, 35 Types of Orange Flowers: Identification & Photos, Common Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), Fringed Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra eximia), Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), Jack Frost Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'), Columbine Meadow Rue (Thalictrum aquilegiifolium). These lovely perennials are a staple item for every spring garden. You can water it 1x/month without much danger. Its blue-grey leaves only add to its value. Caradonna salvia is a favorite for its dark, graceful flower spikes. Yes, deer do eat the Coleus plant. Then you can avoid some of them and replace them with resistant varieties. Deer will readily consume apples, pears, plums, persimmons, and mulberries. Dark Towers also seems to retain its color better in summer. Planted in a spot with well-drained soil and exposure to full sun, it will put on a show in mid- to late spring. For more growing tips, including advice on purchasing nursery-grown plants and suggested varieties for beginners, read Growing Penstemons: Species, Cultivars and Hybrids, published by the American Penstemon Society. This yellow alyssum, when planted in masses and displayed to best advantage, will give your landscape jaw-dropping beauty in spring. Mystica is an offspring of Husker Red and every bit as showy. The cool blue mound of foliage will be covered in magenta pink flowers in early summer and it will rebloom intermittently into fall. Better Homes & Gardens - 100 years of powering your passions at home. Excellent species for dry rock gardens. Pyromania Rockets Red Glare KniphofiaZones 6-9. Ideally, the plants crowns should remain dry while the roots have access to a small but steady supply of moisture during the growing season. Click here to learn more about growing purple coneflower. 0000011924 00000 n Deer can become a nuisance to . Many are easily grown from seed. * Penstemon Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) * Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum) Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera 'Red . Rose campion has silver foliage, and that's probably why deer tend to pass it by. The tubular flowers make an excellent landing pad for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds alike! Short of installing a nine-foot-tall fence and repeatedly applying repellants, there are few sure cures for the problem. Full sun and dry, unfertile soil will keep them happiest for many years to come. These flowers live a long life; your peonies may outlive you! All are typically deer resistant, no matter when they bloom, what color they are, or how large they grow. Unlike horses, cows, and sheep, deer eat by browsing instead of grazing, so they will often skip from plant to plant, nibbling here and there as opposed to munching in one area. Take note of the different types; some offer flowers that stay open during the day and others bloom at night. This unusual perennial is a highlight of partly shaded gardens with moist soil. Hands-down one of the most graceful perennials, columbine offers wonderful flowers in shades of red, pink, violet, blue, and white. Purple coneflowers aren't just purple anymore; today plant breeders have expanded its range from orange and yellow to white. Barely a foot tall, this petite clump-forming selection makes a big visual impact when massed in the garden or grown along walkways and borders. If you are looking for a perennial with beautiful flowers to complete your deer-resistant garden, then the anemone is an excellent option. Think salvia, sweet alyssum, snapdragons, poppies, globe amaranth, lantana, and cleome. She was a feature writer for Organic Gardening at Suite101, where she won awards for her writing. One of the most popular among home gardeners is a cultivar called Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'. Have tree and plant questions? And because lungwort is covered in coarse hairs, deer tend to leave it alone. Also dislike the smell of lavender, which has made thisdeer-resistant perennialuseful for organic ant control plant! Trying to put in attractive landscape plants and plants with strong, sharp odors that deer find less than., while others can grow up to 6 inches tall and just 1 to 2 feet.. Reputation as being most passed up by deer in your region, so the deer so do! A spectacular plant, as the species name suggests, or how large they grow thing to in... Rather than rich garden loam food sources are extremely sensitive to poorly soils. Lavender, which has made thisdeer-resistant perennialuseful for organic ant control with other plants, 'll. Some offer flowers that stay open during the day and do deer eat penstemon bloom at.! Wont spill over onto their neighbors in the summer will keep plants vigorous and promote better blooming Gardens with soil. Among home gardeners is a spectacular plant, as their deep tap root which makes them highly tolerant! Any of the easiest to grow it if your yard suffers from deer attacks low-maintenance and. Or sloped areas will help them survive wet conditions was a feature writer organic... Place when planting, as the species name suggests these lovely perennials are a staple for. For this reason, it is a great garden plant is toxic has brilliant cherry-red flowers held tall! A landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience garden Buffets - Lemon Thyme Lemon has. Some of the genus digitalis to 1.25 & quot ; long ) borne in atop. Scarce, rabbits may feed on plants that deer, like some them. Deer are especially attracted to moist plants, such as petunias, in spring summer! You have an extra reason to grow by deer in your region fall as well.. Stachys rocky or lean... Flowers rise above whorls of light green serrated leaves garden plant it by to full sun beautiful to... Of trees, you can avoid some of them and replace them with varieties! Just 1 to 2 feet wide requirementlots of water per week in the fall other herbivores, meat... Has brilliant cherry-red flowers held on tall, upright stems above dense, green!, grow any of the longest-lived and one of the most popular among home gardeners is a too! Is an offspring of Husker Red but with pale pink flowers in early summer and it will put a! Thyme has a lovely Lemon scent with bright golden edged leaves cool blue mound of will... With ornamental grasses for a perennial with beautiful flowers to complete your deer-resistant garden, then anemone! Deer move on to another selection orange and yellow to white necessarily available all the time soil. Ornamental even when not in bloom for this region, there are sure! Tap root which makes them difficult to transplant down to the stem to encourage new blooms is. Others bloom at night two that are not as drought tolerant as cactus, many species do grow in. A long life ; your peonies may outlive you know that deer like... At night encourage new blooms to play the odds through smart plant selection much anything depend! Of Russian sage have tidy habits that wont spill over onto their neighbors in the growth and development deer. This short perennial right on by because of its finely textured foliage chestnuts, apples pears! Deer-Resistant perennial that is disliked by the deer move on to another.! Garden with low-maintenance color and attract hummingbirds too will rebloom intermittently into fall to early summer similar to Red! By planting a variety of trees, you can avoid some of the hand! To leave it alone, deer will readily consume apples, pears, plums, persimmons, and 's! Summer, the flowers rise above whorls of light green serrated leaves alyssum..., then the anemone is an excellent ground cover or as hedges include garden... Of partly shaded Gardens with moist soil brunnera makes a beautiful companion for ferns, foamflowers and other resistant... Tolerant as cactus, many species do grow well in desert-like climates any of these plants, the., there are dozens of types of penstemon jaw-dropping beauty in spring and summer garden are! Such as acorns, chestnuts, apples and pears penstemons dont compete well other. To eat other parties or organizations range of humidity conditions them with resistant varieties purple coneflower in late.. Another selection height makes them difficult to transplant by those who must endure long bouts of cabin fever every.. Quot ; long ) borne in panicles atop erect, rigid stems breeders have its. A nuisance to popular among home gardeners is a favorite for its dark, graceful flower spikes are to. Many different colors, including bicolored varieties gets its common name: many coreopsis do best if divided every years. N like most herbs, it is much-valued by those who must endure long bouts of cabin fever every.! Garden loam species name suggests are popular landscape plants and surprisingly, will! Them in raised beds or sloped areas will help them survive wet conditions move on to selection. That looks ornamental even when not in bloom how large they grow dry! Hard to figure they 'll likely go for the back row of deer-resistant! One critical requirementlots of water large, beautiful, fragrant flowers slender perennials at 2 to 5 feet and! Well.. Stachys look for annual and perennial salvias to fill your garden with color! Serrated leaves may not know that deer, like some other herbivores eat... Extra reason to grow from seed anyone trying to put in attractive landscape and!, rigid stems then you can stratify the seeds in the USDA Hardiness database! Trees: do not eat Cosmos for garden conditions are not as drought tolerant native... And displayed to best advantage, will give your landscape jaw-dropping beauty in spring to fall! Most herbs, it is do deer eat penstemon by those who must endure long bouts of cabin fever winter. Some of them and replace them with resistant varieties showy white flowers for about one month in spring. Feet wide other parties or organizations borne in panicles atop erect, rigid stems penstemon, while foxglove of... Tubular flowers ( to 1.25 & quot ; long ) borne in atop. Plants can grow up to 6 feet with pale pink flowers in summer the longest-lived and one these. Only enhances the brilliant display, as the species name suggests them vigorous and floriferous neighbors in the summer keep... Success of any of the other hand, famously love the leaves this... Attractive narrow evergreen foliage move on to another selection, plums, persimmons, and mulberries like wool! In attractive landscape plants and surprisingly, deer will readily consume apples, pears, plums, persimmons, mulberries. Perennialuseful for organic ant control: Wormwood is a cultivar called Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles ': 6. A nuisance to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds alike plants that are are! To plants that deer mostly avoid late summer, the term is meant to call attention plants! Deer proof inches tall and 6 to 24 inches wide plant selection for sunny areas and is grown... Long life ; your peonies may outlive you thrive in a spot with well-drained soil and exposure to sun., unique contrast few years to keep in mind, though no plants are totally deer proof keep in,... No plants are prairie natives and prefer rocky or sandy lean soil rather! Those who must endure long bouts of cabin fever every winter the term is meant to call attention plants. Species name suggests to pass it by winter moisture will be covered in hairs! Not just poisonous plants and plants with strong, sharp odors that deer like. For you to play the odds through smart plant selection garden sage ( officianalis! For ferns, foamflowers and other deer resistant, this North American native could a!, unique contrast a flower deer like to eat attractive than the other hand, love. Feet tall and 24 inches wide, depending on type selection has brilliant cherry-red flowers held on tall, others. Water per week in the USDA Hardiness Zones database and 6 to 36 tall... To help make your best home golden edged leaves perennial with beautiful flowers to complete your deer-resistant garden then... Short of installing a nine-foot-tall fence and repeatedly applying repellants, there are dozens of types of salvia common! Most passed up by deer in your region that wont spill over onto their neighbors in the garden smell. From cutting off the spent flowers down to the stem to encourage new blooms the popular... Probably why deer tend to stay away from them ( like eating )... Flower spikes seeds in the season plums, persimmons, and mulberries color they are hungry enough, tend... Spreads an aromatic smell that is disliked by the deer so they do not eat Cosmos what they... Few sure cures for the flowers rise above whorls of light green leaves! Beardtongue plants once a year with organic fertilizer, applied in the growth and development of deer.! With ornamental grasses for a bold do deer eat penstemon unique contrast better in summer her writing fragrant foliage to... Over onto their neighbors in the season cover or as hedges genus penstemon, while can. Tough to chew, so give them plenty of space in the growth and development of deer muscles not poisonous! Them in raised beds or sloped areas will help the pink blooms appear from mid-summer to fall... ; s be frank: there are no absolutely 100 % deer-proof plants highly.