During a recent conversation with Bruce Gauld, owner of Gauld Nurseries in Niagara Falls, Ontario, we discussed the damage to ornamental plants by white-tailed deer during this past winter.   Because of several major landscape developments that are occurring nearby including the construction of an 18 hole golf course, a new housing development called Niagara on the Green, and the relocation of Niagara College to the toe of the Niagara Escarpment (recognized in 1990 as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), Bruce has experienced more damage to his plant material this winter than ever before.  Quite simply, continuing pressure for development has resulted in habitat loss and the maintenance of wildlife biodiversity.

The problem with deer browsing on ornamental plants was also recently identified by one of my clients who lives on the Escarpment in Beamsville, Ontario.  During the preparation of a Landscape Planting Plan where deer may be a problem, the Designer must carefully select plants based on an understanding of deer feeding preferences.

The problem associated with over browsing is exacerbated when excessive snow cover or extreme cold has reduced food availability.  Under these circumstances, deer will browse on even the most undesirable plants.  Similarly, newly emerging succulent growth on ornamentals oftentimes is damaged by deer.  This was the case in the Hill County of Texas where I observed that white-tailed deer seemed to have a preference for landscape ornamentals instead of the native vegetation.  Physical barriers such as fencing, repellants, and other control measures were only marginally beneficial. 

The resistance of plant species to deer browsing depends on the actual deer population, the availability of alternative food, and environmental factors, including drought and other circumstances that create a shortage of food.  Also, it is important to note that there is great variability in one plant species that may rarely be damaged in one region and yet is highly preferred in another area.  No plant is completely safe but there are some that are damaged less frequently than others.

References:

Bartlett, Michael.  “Deer Resistant Plants”, Landscape Designs.  Bethesda, MD.  1995.

Fargione, M.J, Curtis, P.D and Richmond, M.E.  “Resistance of Woody Ornamental Plants to Deer Damage”, Cornell University Publication 147HGFS800.00.  Ithica, NY.  1991.

Gibbs, D.  “Deer Resistant Plants for the Home Landscape”, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission.  Chevy Chase, MD.  1995.

Jett, John J. “Resistance of Ornamentals to Deer Damage”, West Virginia University.  Morgantown, West Virginia. n.d.

John A. Morley

Editor

Hort-Pro Magazine