Building a Native Plant Garden from Scratch - Part 4: Deterring Wildlife

Today’s topic unites gardeners: How do I keep deer and wildlife out of my garden? We all need creative solutions for dealing with our furry friends in the garden. Yes, the struggle is real, and I face it too!

Where I garden, outside of Raleigh, NC, we might not have intense deer pressure from surrounding forests, but our new native plant garden is not immune to the antics of various critters. I once believed that native plants would be spared from the animal buffet, only to discover that our local deer have a particular fondness for them. Native plants are also delectable!

Assessing Wildlife Damage in Your Native Plant Garden

So, what's taken the most hits in my new native plant garden? Oakleaf hydrangeas, witch-hazels, sweetspire, and deciduous azalea species have been the top choices from our large four-legged visitors, the local deer population. Phlox and coneflowers faced some early browsing, but thankfully, none of our plants have been eaten to the point of no return.

The good news? Buttonbush, viburnum, and deciduous hollies seem to be off the menu. Carex and mountain mint, planted as perennial groundcovers, were left entirely untouched.

A big shout-out to the spring cottage garden mix of poppies, bachelor buttons, cilantro, crimson clover, larkspur, kale, arugula, and mustard for successfully deterring many garden intruders through the cool season. It does seem there are more plant options for deterring creatures through the winter and spring compared to summer, but this is when some of my other strategies come into play.

Plants that Help Keep Wildlife out of Your Native Plant Garden

While I'm hesitant to declare any plant "deer proof," certain characteristics make some less tempting to our animal friends. Sometimes planting certain non-native plants will help keep deer away.

• Plants with latex sap, like Euphorbia and poppies, are often avoided.
• Those with poisonous attributes, such as castor beans, can be strategically planted for additional deterrence.
• "Smelly" herbs like rosemary, thyme, mint, and lemon balm tend to be left alone. One of my top picks for this purpose is Plectranthus, or Cuban oregano, offering diverse foliage colors and growing forms that thrive through the heat of the summer but die from frost.
• Garlic and onions, best planted in fall and early winter, will also help deter in-ground animals like voles and above-ground critters including deer and rabbits. I always plant garlic along my bed edges to act as a first line of defense. Then in late spring, I get a substantial harvest to enjoy!

These garlic plants once guarded my beds. Now it's time to eat them!

Identify the Culprits Eating Your Garden

A Google search will confirm that animal feasting is a global gardening woe. Fortunately, we don't have to contend with elk or moose here in the Southeast. However, the usual suspects like rabbits, deer, groundhogs, and in-ground creatures like moles and voles can still wreak havoc.

Deer typically nibble and eat in random patterns; surprisingly the smaller rabbit will mow small plants entirely to the ground.

Wildlife cameras are handy for identifying the culprits, helping us tailor our strategies to the specific intruders.

Repel Wildlife from Your Native Plant Garden

Before dousing your garden in "deer spray," take a moment to identify the culprits. Not all repellents work for every creature, and specificity is key. Look for formulations tailored to the animal causing the trouble and be prepared to spray more often than the label suggests. Keep a small bottle near your door for convenient touch-ups, and opt for repellents with pleasant aromas like mint, garlic, and cinnamon.

👍 Pro Tip: Buy the concentrate and mix your own. It is more cost-effective! I use the I Must Garden deer repellent concentrate.

Surprise Wildlife with a Blast of Water

Motion-censored irrigation adds an element of surprise to deter nighttime browsers. You don't need a complex system—simply attach a motion-activated sprinkler to a hose. The sudden burst of water startles both animals and, occasionally, humans. Remember to turn it off during evening gatherings!

Here is a link for the Orbit Yard Enforcer which has worked like a charm for me: Orbit Yard Enforcer.

Here I am holding a Yard Enforcer that will send a sudden blast of water on intruding wildlife.

Temporarily Fence Wildlife out of Your Native Plant Garden

Living in a subdivision might limit your options for tall deer fences, but fear not! Cattle fence panels are a cost-effective solution. Trim them to your desired size with bolt cutters, clip them to self-stake, and move them as needed.

These panels don't have to be towering; mine are about 4 feet, and they've successfully kept deer at bay. Since their installation, we've had NO damage to these young native shrubs. Simple and effective!

Here is a video featuring exactly what we did, and I promise it WORKED!

Wishing you all the very best of luck managing the animals that visit your gardens!

Questions surrounding how to deter wildlife are the most common ones I receive at my talks, so I've written about it in the past. If you want to take a deeper dive on how to keep deer away, read my blog from 2019: Expert Gardener Tips for Keeping Deer Away.

Brie the Plant Lady

All photos & videos by Brie Arthur.