Deer-Resistant Container Plants

Kelly Schroeder

1. Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Little Spire' (common name: Russian sage; 75 x 60 cm/30 in. x 24 in.; lavender-blue; blooms July to October; zone 5)
2. Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' (boneset; 90 x 90 cm/36 in. x 36 in.; purple blooms and dark bronze-purple foliage; September to October; zone 5)
3. Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield' (60 x 60 cm/24 in. x 24 in.; soft-pink; September to November; zone 5)
4. Tanacetum parthenium 'Double White' (feverfew; 45 x 45 cm/18 in. x 18 in.; white; July to October; zone 3)
5. Lavandula stoechas (Spanish lavender; 60 x 45 cm/24 in. x 18 in.; deep-purple; July to August; zone 7)
6. Verbena bonariensis (100 x 50 cm/40 in. x 20 in.; magenta-purple; June to October; zone 7)
7. Dianthus 'Fire Witch' (pinks or carnation; 20 x 25 cm/8 in. x 10 in.; deep-pink; June to July; zone 3)
8. Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' (sage; 45 x 45 cm/18 in. x 18 in.; violet-purple; June to September; zone 6)

Deer Resistant Container Plants

This arrangement requires full sun.

It has an interesting combination of colour and texture that provides a long season of interest. I chose Lavandula stoechas for its attractive fat flower spikes and because the redder tone of purple works well with the other colours, but it is quite tender at zone 7. Hardier lavenders, such as L. angustifolia cultivars (zone 4), would also work.

Care: This container should be in good condition for at least two or three years. Cut back faded foliage in fall and tuck the container in a protected area, watering only when dry throughout the winter. Place it in a bright location in April and top-dress with a controlled-release fertilizer; water regularly as needed.

TIP: Most wildlife (deer, rabbits) avoid plants with hairy or prickly foliage (salvias, stachys, nepeta) and those with milky sap or very strong oils (including euphorbia, lavender, the mint family and the chrysanthemum family).

Related stories:

(2) comment(s) | tags

2 reads

Comments

I live in Kelowna and

By Anonymous, July 4, 2008 at 07:05

I live in Kelowna and am trying hard to LIVE with the deer. When you see a new baby deer walking by your window, it is very hard not to love them. My question for you is ,,,what are good plants to put on a bank. Right now the bank is covered with very large Junipers. I have pulled out some of the dead branches and now wonder what would be good to replace them with. I was thinking about shrub roses but the soil on the bank is not very good. Lots of clay. We are hoping to do the bank in stages. any suggestions? Thank you...Bobby

Hi Bobby, GardenWise editor

By ybc, July 7, 2008 at 15:43

Hi Bobby,

GardenWise editor Carol Pope suggests the following plants, all of which she has grown successfully in her own garden:

Achillea (yarrow) - zone 3
Leucanthemum hybrids (Shasta daisy) - 'Alaska' is the hardiest at zone 2, many other good cultivars, 'Silver Princess', 'Aglaia', 'Becky', 'Marconi' are zone 3. The fancier (more frilled and double) ones tend to be less hardy and need better soil.
Liatris aspera, L. pycnostachys, L. spicata species and cultivars (blazing star, gayfeather) - zone 4
Lupinus polyphyllus (lupine) - zone 3

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Yau Bing Chong
Web Editorial Coordinator,
GardenWise Online

Anonymous comments are welcome, but they must first go to an approval queue. Register here to join our online community, and then login to start posting immediately.