I have serious deer problems and also have blackberries, both thornless and wild-type thorny. The deer browse a bit on the thornless ones and have kept them from developing to their full potential. They do not bother the thorny wild-types, which I got from the conservation department and planted near the tame berries. Whether deer bother tame thorny berries may depend on how thorny they are. My wild-type are very thorny. Even the leaves have thorns. There are at least three or four different wild types in my planting, and one of them makes berries that are the same size as the Navaho thornless berries. I suppose some of the tame thorny varieties produce superior fruit, but it always seemed to me that not having to deal with the thorns was the deciding factor for tame blackberries. However, I'm glad I have the thorny ones since 90% of the fruit I get is from them. I must have collected ten gallons of berries last year....didn't really keep track, but after having cobblers and making jam I still had seven gallons in the freezer. Finally made blackberry wine from them. Chuck

Here is the ingredients in deer and rabbit liquid fence. "Liquid Fence brand produces some of the best-selling and most effective animal repellent products on the market. The Liquid Fence Deer and Rabbit Repellent RTU is America's #1 selling deer and rabbit repellent and provides a ready-to-use, environmentally-safe, biodegradable solution that provides long lasting control of deer and rabbit problems. Deer and Rabbit Repellent RTU Gallon can be safely used on edible crops and around gardens, flowers, people and pets with no harm to wildlife or vegetation. Long lasting and rain resistant. Just spray the product and watch nuisance animal problems go away. Prevents deer and rabbits from eating flowers, shrubs, vegetable plants, trees and vines. Backed by the Liquid Fence 100% satisfaction guarantee. Recommended by the National Home Gardening Club. Active Ingredient: contains: PUTRESCENT EGG SOLIDS, GARLIC POWDER, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, XANTHAN GUM, POTASSIUM SORBATE, WATER Target pests: Deer and Rabbits For use in: Outdoor use only. Pet safe: Yes. Yield: Treats approx. 2,000 square feet. Manufactured By: Liquid Fence (UPC: 651124001093) Product Documents Liquid Fence Deer Rabbit Repellent RTU 109 - Gallon MSDS Liquid Fence brand produces some of the best-selling and most effective animal repellent products on the market. The Liquid Fence Deer and Rabbit Repellent RTU is America's #1 selling deer and rabbit repellent and provides a ready-to-use, environmentally-safe, biodegradable solution that provides long lasting control of deer and rabbit problems. Deer and Rabbit Repellent RTU Gallon size can be safely used on edible crops and around gardens, flowers, people and pets with no harm to wildlife or vegetation. Long lasting and rain resistant. Just spray the product and watch nuisance animal problems go away. Prevents deer and rabbits from eating flowers, shrubs, vegetable plants, trees and vines. Backed by the Liquid Fence 100% satisfaction guarantee. Recommended by the National Home Gardening Club. How to use: Apply Liquid Fence Deer and Rabbit RTU liberally to plants and their perimeter during a dry period. Repeat process 1 week later and then approximately once per month thereafter. Areas where feeding pressure from deer and rabbits is intense, spray Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent once a week for 3 weeks and then approximately once per month thereafter." I bought some from Home Depot and it works well for me. I may try to make my own batch to test it out this spring. In addition, Jerry Lehman showed me an easy way to get of deer by placing a laundry bounce strip on the lower branch of your fruit tree, Deer hates the smell of it. Tony This post was edited by tonytran on Sun, Nov 23, 14 at 9:30

Yes, deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough. If they are that hungry, put out a tub of water, a bale of alfalfa, and a salt lick on their path. Deer tend to move along the same path(s), so avoid planting near their paths (follow the droppings). I also companion plant with herbs, aliums, etc, and I alternate spraying Liquid Fence, Deer Off, etc. And I will try hanging air freshners. I grow all sorts of roses all over the place--one bed can have 8 different kinds. Here's what I've observed: I too have found deer leave Rugosas alone. Also most species roses, once bloomers, and Meilland "landscape" roses. The roses the deer seem to like best are Hybrid Teas, Teas, Bourbons. I have a Buck's Golden Unicorn that they munch that down regularly. So far, they haven't shown much interest in the Hy Perps, Gallicas, or Moss. Chinas, Hyb Musks, Polys and Noisettes get lightly pruned occassionally--usually just tips of new growth. Rule of thumb, the newer classes and newer roses of newer classes get eaten first; the exceptions are the bourbons (older class but do get eaten) and landscape (new class but don't get eaten). I have an out of control Scarlet Meilland right on the deer path and I wish they would prune it, but they have never touched it, where they will go out of their way to eat Zepherine Drouhin.

Another deer avoided perennial would be Asclepias. I have several varieties and none have ever been bothered by deer or rabbits even though these eating machines go through my yard daily/nightly. Someone above mentioned Potentilla. Deer do snack on my P. Monarch's Velvet early in the growing season. Just tends to keep the plant at a more reasonable size, so it is ok with me. Keeps me from having to pinch it back. The same with Montauk Daisy. Deer nibble the newer spring growth of this fall blooming daisy, but stop at the right time to let the plant grow to a nice sized mound with little help from me. I am going to suggest Geraniums also. I also have several varieties of Perennial Geraniums that have never been touched by deer.