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

Thursday - November 03, 2011
From: Sturgis, SD
Region: Midwest
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Deer Resistant plants in South Dakota
Answered by: Anne Ruggles
QUESTION:
Plants and flowers that deer wont eat and will grow in Black Hills, SDANSWER:
No plant can be guaranteed to be "deer-proof," however; some are less tasty than others. Generally, select plants within the following guidelines:
- Native plants growing in their native habitats may be less appealing to deer than highly fertilized and highly watered Garden plants.
- Deer tend to avoid foliage that is sticky, hairy, feathery, or omits an odor they do not like.
- A hungry deer will find almost any plant palatable.
- Rutting males may also cause problems. They tend to seek out younger trees to rub their antlers on as they come into rut in the early fall. This can damage the bark or deform the tree. Rubbing can be thwarted by placing 4 sturdy stakes on each side of the tree. The deer will move on to a more favorable place to rub.
- Netting can reduce deer damage to small trees.
- Adequate fencing to exclude deer is the only sure way to control deer damage.
The Wildflower Center has a page where you can search for deer-resistant plants by location and characteristic. Make sure to narrow your search (using the parameters on the right side of the page) by location, type of plant, soil moisture, etc.
The South Dakota County Extension Agent for your area may be able to provide you with recommendations for your specific site characteristics.
Colorado Statue University has a several sources available including a paper by C.E. Swift and M.K. Gross. Preventing Deer Damage. This paper includes information on repellants and fencing as well as about deer resistant species.
The Jolly Lane Greenhouses in Rapid City has a good listing of plants that includes characteristics including required light-level, deer resistance, moisture requirement, etc.
More Deer Resistant Questions
Is India Hawthorne a deer-resistant plant?
July 03, 2011 - Is India Hawthorne a deer resistant plant in Beaufort County South Carolina?
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant, shade tolerant trees for part shade in Highland MD
March 29, 2013 - Deer resistant privacy trees for partial shady area in Highland, MD.
view the full question and answer
What plants are the most deer resistant in Connecticut?
May 13, 2009 - Please advise me as to what plants are the most deer resistant and native to Wilton, CT. Most importantly, what evergreen shrubs and perennials will best survive?
view the full question and answer
Deer Resistant Evergreens for Pennsylvania Woods
March 12, 2015 - We are looking for evergreens that will grow in a partially shaded/wooded area and are ideally deer resistant. Hemlocks are out because of a parasite infestation in our area of Pennsylvania.
view the full question and answer
Deer Resistant, Fast Growing Groundcover Suggestions for Georgia
April 20, 2013 - Our driveway is 1/4 mile in length and is steep on both sides (one side up one side down). It currently has grass that our contractor planted using seed when we built our house. We are unable to cut t...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |