Do Deer Eat Hydrangeas?

Learn strategies for protection and discover which varieties are less susceptible to damage

The arrival oflate springandearly summermeans just one affair here inNew England : hydrangea season . The East Coast is known for the iconic display those hydrangeas put on class after year . Heck , we even arrest festival in honor of the sanctified hydrangea . Its popularity is not sole to this area of the area either . From Georgia to Oregon , hydrangeas generally top most lists of gardeners ’ favorite shrub . But many gardeners marvel , “ Do deer eat hydrangea ? ”

Unfortunately , deer tend to screw these billowy plant life as much as we do . Although not browsed as intemperately ashostas , hydrangeas do frequently get “ pruned ” by deer and normally just as they are about to bloom . If deer are an issue in your neck of the woods , it ’s important to know which kind are less susceptible to damage as well as to determine strategy for protect your shrubs . And remember , every herd of deer and every backyard is unlike . These guidelines are n’t creed .

Which hydrangeas are deer-proof?

The simplest answer to this question is “ None . ” However , some mintage run to be privilege by deer over others .

Panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculataand cvs., Zones 3–9)

Panicle hydrangeasusually flower a morsel afterward in the time of year when deer have a lot more intellectual nourishment alternative . They will still nibble on the emerge flower bud , but because this hydrangea rosiness on Modern wood , it will often advertize newfangled increment and sometimes redundant bud in response to the unexpected “ snip . ” Panicle hydrangea are also very woody with rough barque , so they are rarely eaten down to the undercoat and therefore are n’t at risk of being eradicate altogether .

Smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescensand cvs., Zones 3–8)

Despite blooming earlier in the season when not as many food source are available , deer run to look pastsmooth hydrangeasor to range them less than other hydrangeas . Perhaps this is because , asnative plantsto thesoutheastern United States , suave hydrangeas are familiar to deer and considered the irksome oatmeal of the hydrangea reality . Who knows ? You may remark episodic browsing just as the flower buds are make , but this is often a blessing , as it provides aChelsea Chopfor the shrub that leads to a more compact habit . Smooth hydrangeas bloom on young wood as well , so they frequently drive raw growing and peak buds the same season , allowing for a staggered bloom period .

Rough-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea asperaand cvs., Zones 7–10)

Although less vulgar in garden , the rough - leaved hydrangea is another choice for folks in deer res publica . The foliage is report in coarse hairs that give the total bush a texture like sandpaper . As you may opine , this ready it not exactly idealistic for munching on . Much like other industrial plant with foggy texture that are supposedly deer resistant ( thinklambs ’ spike ) , this trait puts approximative - go out hydrangea firm in the “ might not shop ” category .

Bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophyllaand cvs., Zones 6–9)

The crown jewel of the hydrangea world , bigleaf hydrangeasare unfortunately a deer favorite . Their large , succulent buds in early spring are like candy for deer . These are flush buds ( appear on old Grant Wood from the previous yr ) , so one night of browsing can leave your industrial plant flowerless for the entire time of year . Deer will also eat up the raw foliage .

Mountain hydrangea (Hydrangea serrataand cvs., Zones 5–9)

Mostmountain hydrangeasbloom off of old Ellen Price Wood ( like bigleaf types ) ; therefore , when the bud intumesce and are eaten by thirsty cervid in mid - give , the shrubs will be without blossoms that year . cervid will also eat the leave and new shoots .

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifoliaand cvs., Zones 5–9)

Unlike their fellow aboriginal cousins the fluent hydrangeas , oakleaf hydrangeasare pronto browsed by cervid in mid - spring . This may be because they are the first eccentric of hydrangea in many areas to flower , so when those large columnar flower begin seem , they ’re irresistible to cervid . The one saving seemliness is that the graze tends to kibosh at the flower bud because this bush has boisterous , woody staunch covered in strip down barque that deer run to stick away from . Oakleaf hydrangea bloom off of old Ellen Price Wood , so once the bloom are eaten , no extra buds will appear until next year .

Although no method is foolproof , the following idea may help protect your bush from deer browsing .

1. Set up a blockade

If potential , surround your hydrangea with plant that can block up deer in their tracks . plant with spikes , fuzzy leaves , or pungent foliage are all known to deter cervid . A mountain hydrangea that is encircled by box ( Buxuscv . , Zones 4–8 ) will be good than one left in a bottom by itself .

2. Use sprays

If you only have a few hydrangea to protect , spraying them with a repellant can be an effective way to keep the deer off . Concentrate your efforts during early to mid - spring ( when Modern development emerges and flower buds begin to well ) . And retrieve , most spray need to be reapplied every prison term it rains or heavy dew occur , make this measure impractical if you have lots of hydrangea .

3. Lay down some chicken wire

There is enquiry suggest that cloven - hooved animals do not care to traverse chicken wire because it can slip in between their toes , causing discomfort . put down chicken wire straight on the priming coat all around your hydrangeas can create a roadblock that is n’t as visually obstructive as upright fencing .

For more about all things hydrangea , go here .

— Danielle Sherry is the executive editor .

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