Hostas are clearly the most popular plants in the shade garden. And why wouldn’t they be? They’re probably the easiest perennial to grow.
They have beautiful lush foliage, in sizes from tiny to “You could hide a toddler under there.” They come in a palette of all the shades of green nature can come up with, from dusky green-blue to neon yellow-green. As if that weren’t enough to ensure their popularity, you can also eat them.
Unfortunately, humans aren’t the only ones who enjoy eating tender hostas.
The most common complaint from gardeners concerning hostas is that they are equally loved by deer. (Probably more so.) To put it mildly, protecting tender young hostas from hungry deer can be challenging. But with a little effort, you can safeguard your garden and still enjoy these stunning plants.
Let’s take a look at some methods you can employ to deter deer.
Understanding Bambi & What He Likes to Eat
Deer are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat whatever is available when their preferred food sources are scarce. My dad calls them the Cows of the Forest. Hostas, with their tender leaves and high water content, are especially appealing. However, whether or not Bambi comes to call has to do with several factors.
- Location: Deer are more prevalent in suburban or rural areas with dense foliage nearby. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will come to call if there are better offerings to be had in all that dense foliage.
- Season: Deer are more likely to munch on your hostas in late fall, winter, and early spring as other food sources are limited.
- Habits: Bambi is a creature of habit, following established paths and returning where food has been previously found.
Knowing all this can help you develop your strategies for deterring deer from eating your hostas.
Strategies to Keep Deer Away from Hostas
Physical Barriers
- Fencing: The most reliable way to protect hostas is by creating physical barriers to keep deer out. Of course, knowing that deer can jump ridiculously high doesn’t help. Any fencing needs to be at least 8′ tall to keep deer out. My guess is that if you have an 8′ tall fence around your yard, you probably wouldn’t be reading this.
- Electric fencing can be an effective deterrent, and it doesn’t have to be as high. Bambi will avoid areas even if he receives a mild zap.
- Netting: While it may not look great, you can drape lightweight garden netting over your hostas in the spring long enough for deer to find their next meal elsewhere.
- Wire Cages: Similarly, wire cages will protect new hostas from munching forest cows. Use sturdy materials like chicken wire or hardware cloth.
Coyote Urine
Applying coyote urine (yes, you can buy it on Amazon!) on or around your hostas is an excellent way to keep deer from nibbling on them. You’ll need to reapply it after it rains, but it’s great stuff and keeps other critters from sniffing around as well, such as neighborhood cats.
Irish Spring Soap
I’ve not tried this myself, but I can attest to its potency as my eldest teenage boy loves the stuff, and the entire house smells like Irish Spring after he showers. Buy Irish Spring bar soap and cut it up into chunks. Sprinkle the chunks of soap among your hostas to keep deer away, who find the scent overpowering. (Me too, Bambi, me too, but it’s better than stinky teenage boy.)
Homemade Pepper Spray
Mixing up cayenne pepper in water and spraying your hostas with it will also keep deer (and rabbits) from munching on them. Reapply after rain for continued effectiveness.
Commercial Repellents
Products such as Liquid Fence and Deer Off use natural ingredients to deter deer. These repellents mimic predator scents or taste bad to deer. Apply them regularly and after rainfall.
Planting Deterrents
Deer dislike certain plants due to their texture, taste, or smell, sometimes because they know they are toxic. Surrounding your hostas with these plants can help deter deer.
- Lavender – Its strong scent repels deer.
- Ferns – Apparently, deer find the texture unappealing. (Clearly, they’ve never eaten fiddleheads.)
- Foxglove – Toxic to deer, they avoid it entirely.
- Daffodils – Deer dislike their bitter taste and toxic properties.
Out of all of these, I highly recommend the daffodils. Every part of the plant is toxic to deer, and they avoid them like the plague. The daffodils will bloom and protect the young hosta shoots. By the time the daffodils are done for the season (you know you’re not supposed to cut the foliage until June, right?), the hostas will be unfurled and less tempting to the deer.
Scare Tactics
Deer are skittish and will avoid areas that feel unsafe. Personally, I have found that running out of the house in my bathrobe and yelling, “Getoutofmygarden!” is highly effective. My boys tell me that I am truly frightening. Here are a few other things you can try.
Motion-Activated Devices
- Motion-activated sprinklers startle deer with a sudden burst of water and water the hostas while it’s on.
- Devices emitting ultrasonic sounds deter deer without affecting humans.
Shiny Objects
Hanging reflective tape or aluminum foil creates movement and light flashes that scare deer. You’ll need to move these around your yard periodically; otherwise, the deer will catch on and stop being scared of them.
While each of these methods can help a bit on its own, the best approach is to employ several of these tactics. You’re likely to have greater success using a layered approach to protecting your hostas.
Hosta Varieties Less Likely to Be Eaten by Deer
While no hosta is entirely deer-proof, some varieties are less appealing due to their thicker leaves, waxy coatings, or unique textures. Growing these varieties in your garden can reduce the likelihood of them being eaten.
Blue Angel
– Features large, thick blue-green leaves. The waxy coating makes it less palatable to deer.
Sum and Substance
– Known for its enormous, leathery leaves. The tough texture deters deer.
Patriot
– Boasts striking green and white variegated foliage. Less appealing due to its dense, rubbery leaves.
Golden Tiara
– A small, compact hosta with golden-edged leaves. Thick foliage is less likely to be eaten.
Halcyon
– This blue hosta variety has firm, heart-shaped leaves. Its tough texture is unappealing to deer.
June
– Features gold and blue variegation. The leaves’ unique coloration and firm structure help deter deer.
Frances Williams
– Displays large, blue-green leaves with yellow margins. The texture and size make it less attractive to deer.
By selecting these varieties, you can create a deer-resistant garden without giving up hostas altogether.
Protecting your hostas from Bambi and his friends may seem like a daunting task, but with the right combination of strategies, Bambi will get the message and move on. (Usually, to your neighbor’s hostas.) But it’s worth the time and effort to remove your garden from the local deer buffet.
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