Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - August 25, 2014
From: Newtown Square, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Deer Resistant, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Deer Resistant Plants for Newton Square, PA
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I'm looking for highly deer resistant plants native to PA. Thank you!ANSWER:
Mr Smarty Plants can lead you that way, but it is a difficult question. Partially because deer aren’t very picky and will eat the tastiest of the plants which are available. Your solution in this direction is to have your neighbors grow stuff which is more attractive to them! As this is not a very likely situation, the other path is to laboriously search out the Mr Smarty Plants archives for good candidates.
One of my favorites is to simply search out where this has been addressed in old MSP question/answer pairs. Here are several that deal with deer resistance and come from your area:
How are NPIN Deer Resistance Ratings Determined?
Deer resistant plants for Pittsburgh PA
Deer resistant trees and shrubs for PA
Evergreen, deer resistant privacy screen for Villanova PA
Perennial ground cover for hillside in Holmdel NJ
Deer resistant plants for a bioswale in NJ
Another method to check it out is to review the special collections of native plants that the Wildflower Center maintains. This link is to the Recommended Species collection for Pennsylvania. The issue, as noted in the messages before, is that deer resistance is not a field we can automatically search. You would search the collection for plants that appeal then you have to read the plant record. Deer Resistance is a separate line under the category “Benefits”.
The latest method though (and the best), is that the Wildflower Center has developed a specific collection of Deer Resistant Species. This one can be searched for Pennsylvania and also whether you want wildflowers or shrubs [or other plant habits]. Here are a few likely plants that I found amongst the 87 candidates.
Shrubs:
Amorpha fruticosa (Indigo bush)
Rhus aromatica (Fragrant sumac)
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Coralberry)
Herbs [Wildflowers]
Arisaema dracontium (Green dragon)
Capsicum annuum (Chile pequin)
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Starting shade-tolerant ground covers in New York
September 10, 2013 - Hi, I have seen some of the posts for shade-tolerant ground cover on the east end of Long Island and my question is process related. Now that I've identified the grasses/plants I need to keep my fro...
view the full question and answer
Plant ID from Villa Hills KY
April 21, 2013 - Hello I have this plant but I don't know what it is. I want to know if it's edible or what it is. I think it's catnip.
view the full question and answer
Correct size for Wright penstemon from Granger TX
April 21, 2012 - The Wright penstemon pictured as your main plant, looks nothing like the other pictures below it. I realize, they can be pink or red. But the LARGE speciman out in your gardens is nowhere near the 1...
view the full question and answer
Deadheading a petunia and why
July 13, 2008 - Can you please tell me the correct way to de-head a petunia and why?
view the full question and answer
Native alternative to tulips from Milford MI
October 15, 2013 - What could be a good alternative to tulips? I have not seen a native plant quite like a tulip (except a tulip tree). A good alternative should bloom in April or May and have showy flowers. I searched...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |