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What animal is eating these plants and how can we deter this? #757427

Asked June 21, 2021, 11:16 AM EDT

We've planted a native plant pollinator garden at a local park but things basically look weed whacked. The plants include deer resistant species like monarda, joe pye, ironweed, and milkweed (all species we've planted in areas with heavy deer pressure with great success). We have found deer scat in the beds. The only plants that the animal is not touching are helenium and beard tongue. What is eating these plants and how can we deter this kind of damage to our plants and get the animal to enjoy the bounty of the surrounding meadows and woods?

Prince George's County Maryland

Expert Response

Variety is the spice of life as they say, and deer, rabbit and other critters always seem to be interested in trying newly planted material, even the varieties that are not usually browsed.

As long as the plant roots are not disrupted, this looks like a pruning for you. It can have some advantages to reduce flowering for the first year as roots can get better established. Monarda and milkweed in particular will spread like crazy once established as you surely know.

You can protect any new plants until they are established with repellent sprays, fencing or covering with floating row cover ( https://extension.umd.edu/resource/floating-row-cover ) or perhaps arches of wire covered by open netting. Fwiw, deer tend to bite and tear while sharp rabbit teeth make a cleaner cut.

Apparently once flowers begin to bloom they may try again. If you have high pressure/presence of wildlife, you may need to spray again at that time. Here is a page on deer repellent products: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/using-commercial-deer-repellents-manage-deer-browsing-landscape

Christine

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