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New Jersey Gardening

Recommendations on Deer resistant low shrubs

9 years ago

We just installed a bluestone walkway and I would like to put low shrubs (preferably around 2 ft) on either side. They must be deer resistant and evergreen. But I'd like some color if at all possible (greens and yellows)Too much too ask? Any recommendations?? Thanks!!

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Comments (4)

User
9 years ago
Do you know your gardening zone? In which county are you located, if you don't know the zone?

I was about to give you a list of recommendations good for Zones 6b-8, until I realized there was no gardening zone provided (makes a difference). There is also no indication of SUN exposure (shaded, partial, full sun all day, etc...)

I have LOTS of deer AND plants so can tell you, you can have a lush yard!

This post was edited by njoasis on Fri, Aug 29, 14 at 15:45
BloominOnion
Original Author
9 years ago
We are in 6b and they would be in full sun- northern exposure. Thanks!!
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Mahonia, that is one shrub I have been meaning to add! Shadyplace, I was going to put holly on my short list but have read that some people have said that their holly is eaten by deer. Guess it depends on the severity of the Winter. I did notice deer eating some of my Japanese Holly this past winter, but I agree that Holly is NOT a deer favorite. But as you suggest, to thrive, holly does need some sun and don't think of it as a understory shade shrub/tree. P.S., Japanese Holly survived quite despite the experimental munching by local deer.
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I tried to create a privacy fence about ten or so years ago with Arborvitae (not sure of the cultivar or if it matters), it was not long before the deer ate them. Again, deer tastes can be regional and it also depends on the severity of the weather. Not a conifer expert but many of them do seem to be eaten by deer. I replaced Yews with Cephalotaxus (Japanese plum yews) and they will even occasional munch on them, unless it's rabbits. I eventually resolved my living property fences on one side with an allee of Southern Magnolias on the west side, east side with Cherry Laurel (Schip/Skip) and deciduous smoke bush, and the south side with Holly (Blue Prince/Princess), Nellie Stevens, Japanese, Chinese) and boxwoods. I have NEVER seen them touch boxwoods, ever. I have noticed them occasionally munching on the softer blue hollies, and Japanese Holly in a bad winter, EVEN the odd magnolia leaf in deep snow. They don't go near either the Nellie Stevens or the even more prickly, Chinese Holly. Cherry Laurels, are never touched, I think it's the cyanide, LOL. Other plants that I may be used as borders that deer tend never to bother with (in my personal experience) include, rhododendrons, bamboos (use the clumping ones, not the runners unless you are prepared to live in a bamboo forest), and Osmanthus heterophyllus 'goshiki', which is a very colorful, prickly, hardy, broadleaf evergreen. P.S., You won't find barberry on my list, I HATE them and ripped out all the ones the prior owners had planted to outwit the deer.
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Hmm, doesn't look like my previous post got posted, so here goes. I'm also in NJ and we've been in our house for 2 1/2 years. Half our front yard and another garden bed are filled with pachysandra because they are under the tall pine trees we have here. They spread faster than we want them to. In fact, without us even realizing it, they created their own soil out of fallen leaves and spread over our driveway about 18 inches since we've been here. It was like a thick carpet we had to cut through and roll up to move it back into the garden bed again. It is beautiful to look at, but very difficult to get rid of. Their roots are very thick and everywhere. If however, you would like more of it, you are more than welcome to come and dig some up in our yard. We have lots and lots to share.
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Oh for heaven's sake!! This is not rocket science!! A study of basic botany will tell you the same. If plants grew at the same vertical rate throughout their entire lifespan, then we would all live in some type of bizarre temperate jungle where every tree more than 50 years old was at least 100 feet tall. Growth slows as they reach maturity, which of course can vary from plant to plant.
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agardenstateof_mind
9 years ago
BloominOnion, did you ever find some appropriate shrubs? If you're still looking, try checking Rutgers list of Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance - it's downloadable, free, at the link below. (I recommend the PDF version, as it's much easier to browse.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance
User
9 years ago
What do you mean by...full sun--northern exposure?

If they are in northern exposure, they are not full sun.

Anyways, I have had luck with...

holly (but they grow bigger than 2 feet)
DWARF ENGLISH BOXWOODS (my personal favorite)
Japanese Lilytrurf (Liriope muscari)

These grow taller than 2 feet, but also...
Piers
Rhododendron
Skimmia japonica
Barberry (but I hate the thorns on these)

I also use a lot of aromatics, especially...
ROSEMARY (You need the variety ARP; but need FULL SUN)
Lavender (FULL SUN/DAY LONG as well)
Yuca

You might also consider cotoneasters and...
Hardy Osmanthus (heterophyllus)...it has yellow and green coloration as well.

I also plant beds of hardy Opuntia cacti. (Yellow flowers in June)

You can definitely garden around the deer though!...Herds pass through mine...mostly frustrated and moving on to more edible pastures!

Good luck.

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