All sort of heyday are deer ’s top selection on the menu , roses , azaleas and nance , but not begonia , multitude think . thing are not as straight though , and you may terminate up being disappointed . You plant your begonia rhizomes and wait with trepidation for them to bloom …
Then one morning you wake up to see if they have blossomed , but no you see the classifiable bell ringer of big herbivore teeth ! What ’s gone wrong ?
It is incorrect to say that all begonias are dee repellent ; waxy and leathery leaf begonias are consummate intellectual nourishment for these creature . On the other handwriting , these four legged eaters of greens detest the fuzzy foliage that you regain on some varieties , especially hardy and tuberous begonia .
@hogisienne
Because things are not straightforward between deer and begonias , countenance ’s clear up this subject once and for all , so you roll in the hay how to choose as close to Bambi - proof begonia varieties that will not end up as a overnice dinner for cervid .
Begonias and Deer: a Short History
There are about 2,000 species of begonias from all over the macrocosm , but they come from arena where you will find no , or very few deer . They are tropic and subtropic plants , while cervid like temperate and even cold regions .
These flowering flora are not even very cold stalwart , so it ’s very improbable that a wild horn herbivore will fond some in a forest or on a hayfield . But it is through horticulture that begonias and de have come into lineal liaison .
This has an reward : begonias are not part of a deer raw dieting , so they will prefer other works . This is a worldwide rule , not a stern one . And to sympathise this , we call for to look at the nuanced appreciation of these animals . Up next …
@hogisienne
Deer and Flower Taste – How Much Do They Like Begonias
cervid like some flower and go away more than others and begonia are not top of their list . They will go crazy for Hosta , rose , day lily , rhododendrons , azaleas , pansies and violas … But when it comes to our subtropic flowers they are not so keen …
So , you may be lucky but … Deer even have personal penchant , and some herds take up unusual perceptiveness for some specific plant . So you understand that if we want to be professional , we can not generalize with these animate being and what they eat .
What Makes Some Begonias Deer Resistant?
Deer do not like fuzzy leaves ; they will even stick out soft sticker , like on the young root of roses , but blurriness … No ! It really is a matter of texture .
Like you like a cookie more than another and I ca n’t stand chewy chocolate bar , our cervine friends do n’t like the feeling of tiny hairs on their tongue and roof of the mouth . And some begonia have them .
Begonia Types That Deer Eat
There are some type of begonias that deer will corrode quite thirstily . This is because they have the texture and consistency that these animals like . And as you know , begonias are divided into groups , so , let ’s see them one by one .
Dragon Wing Begonias
Dragon wing begonia are everlasting food for cervid . They take their name from the shale of their leave , which are divide into two polar parts , or “ wings ” , and they have lowly flowers in clusters .
Unfortunately these begonias have leaf with a smooth , glossy surface … And deer will have no job eating them .
Wax Begonias
The clue is in the name ; wax begonias are smooth and de will deplete them . But they wo n’t be their favourite option . I told you that they are picky , and it looks that even “ too still ” is not too good for them …
But they will eat them if they do n’t find a better pick . For them , your garden is like a mesa of canopés or tapa bark … They can break up and choose !
Deer Will Eat Some Tuberous Begonias
Tuberous begonia have large , showy and colourful flush , but it ’s the foliage that deer are concerned in . Some works in this mathematical group have hairy foliage , and deer will forfend them , others have smooth leaves , and they become more appetizing to deer .
Some Rex Begonias
Rex begonias are a peculiar radical , because we grow them for their beautiful leaves . And some are smooth , some fuzzy . cervid will wipe out the former and turn up their noses with the latter . The job is that a male monarch begonia with some foliage bite off is really a disaster on the gardening front .
a Few Hardy Begonias
Hardy begonias have small flowers and lush , full-bodied foliage , but this is fairly often fuzzy , and deer will leave it alone . However , do n’t take it as “ I am safe with hardy begonias ” .
Not all have haired folio , and cervid do not categorize these bloom like we do ; they divide them into two : “ hirsute is yucky , ” and “ politic is yummy ” . For example , they will feat on the delicate , smooth and thin leaves of Begonia grandis …
But even if you choose fuzzy begonia , you are not fully safe .
When Will Deer Eat Hairy Begonias?
Even if you plant a super hairy begonia variety , you are never really amply safe from deer . Why ? The reason is that deer resistant does not have in mind deer immune .
It merely means that deer will annul them , like when you have potato and Brussels sprouts as a side bag and you leave the sprout on the plate .
But suppose if you only have the tiny green leafy balls to eat … You may pass at first , but when thirstiness riding horse … even Brussels sprouts will do ! The same applies to cervid and fuzzy leaf .
They are not their best-loved nutrient , but it is still food for them .
The only industrial plant that cervid will never really eat on are toxic and vicious I , and begonias are not among them .
How to Keep Deer From Eating Begonias
But you love begonias and you desire to take a risk , make it concentrated for deer to eat them , and here are some uncomplicated steps you could take to preclude deer from eating your begonia :
Now , let ’s get into the details of which begonia will end up as cervid food , and which wo n’t .
Begonias Can Be Deer Resistant But They Are Not Deer Repellent
Deer will unco leave behind your blurry leafed begonia alone , but they are not afraid if them . This means that they have no use in revolt these hungry visitors . Plants that do need to be strong smell , or even poisonous …
But this gives us a hint …
Add Some Extra Safety for Your Begonias Against Deer
begonia are never fully safe from hungry deer . So , let me tell apart you a trick … Mix in strong smelling plants with your begonias , and they will put off deer . For example :
These will assist your begonia exit unnoticed , as the strong fragrance is disgusting ro them , even if we like it .
And lastly , choose the good diversity !
Begonia Varieties That Deer Don’t Like
There are some “ fair dependable ” varieties of begonias that are blurred and cervid will mostly leave behind alone , and we have chosen some of the best for you , as a sampling .
1.Begonia ‘Silver Jewel’ (Begonia ‘Silver Jewel’)
‘ Silver Jewel ’ is stunning evergreen cultivar you will desire for its leaves , which cervid do n’t care . These are cordiform ( spunk shaped ) but around and green with facile dash in them ! Beautiful ! But for deer , there is a major problem …
They are covered in teasing tiny minuscule hairs … It is a delicate plant that grows well in hatful or even indoors . It is so beautiful hat it has succeed the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society !
2.Iron Cross Begonia (Begonia masoniana)
smoothing iron crisscross begonia is an impressive mixed bag for its deer resistant light unripe foliage , which has a dark brown , almost black cross on it . unluckily for our tusk Friend , it too has loads of fuzzy hairs on its evergreen foliage .
It is not at all a hardy begonia , though , and you could only spring up it in hot regions or in container . This sort too has won the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society , no wonderment !
3.Begonia ‘Fireworks’ (Begonia ‘Fireworks’)
Deer do n’t appreciate the impressive evergreen heart shaped leaves of rex begonia ‘ Fireworks ’ .
It ’s a pity , because they have a radiating , dark brownish purple gist , then there is a light calcium hydrate green area , at time run in light silver blue , and then a light and sour pink purple edge !
This work of artwork is fuzzy , so , better for us ! Pink flowers will appear on top of this iridescent leafage , and guess … It has won the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society .
@hogisienne
4.Begonia ‘Hanging Basket’ (Begonia ‘Hanging Basket’)
The name of this cervid resistant tuberous perennial begonia is a game show ; it has trailing branches and beautiful double swag prime that last from months on end . These can be oink , salmon , scarlet , yellow or snowy consort to the cultivar you choose .
Yes , it is ideal for hanging baskets or to drape over pots and rock gardens , on steps and wherever you need green foliation and bright flush , and even if a stag , doe or dun visit , its fuzzy foliage will discourage them from having the leftover pungency .
5.Begonia ‘Picotee Lace’ Series (Begonia ‘Picotee Lace’)
The former blooper ‘ Picotee Lace ’ begonia series has fairly fuzzed leaves that cervid wo n’t like . On the other hand , it total in an telling gloss range … ‘ Flamenco ’ is white and crimson red , ‘ Calypso ’ is blanched with tangerine tree edge , and ‘ Sunburst is yellow with red border .
Some have semi ruffled petals , others have fringe ones . The blooms are monolithic , up to 6 inches across , which is 15 centimeter ! So , lots of colors and flowers but few cervid around with ‘ Picotee Lace ’ !
6.Sun Changing Begonia (Begonia soli-mutata)
We are lucky that cervid do n’t rust Sun change begonia , because it ’s a wonderful chef-d’oeuvre ! The fuzzy leaves are heart shape , dark green with calcium oxide green stripes and purple underside which show very nicely ! They also have little gibbousness on them .
The foreign fact is that the leaves seem to stir color with lightheaded change ! There are also minuscule white flowers in clusters and … Well , it come with a ribbon , the honored Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society !
7.Begonia ‘Ruffled’ Series (Begonia ‘Ruffled’)
The bloom of the ‘ Ruffled ’ begonia serial are massive , up to 9 inches across ( 22 cm ) , and cervid do n’t like them , because the leaves are , you guessed , lightly fuzzy .
The foliage is dark green with beautiful veins , while the flowers , which are also very abundant , are full double , with frilled bound and they descend in white , yellow , apricot , salmon , pinkish or red .
8.Begonia ‘Roseform’ Series (Begonia ‘Roseform’)
‘ Roseform ’ is a serial of unusual just begonias with hairy leaves , so they are secure from deer , but … But the flowers are very special , because the petals unfurl in a spiral from the center , like they do in some rose wine .
And this is where the name comes from . The prime come in bunch and they are abundant in the late months of the year . They can be yellow , whitened , pinkish , cherry-red , rise , apricot and orange – quite a range !
Begonias without Deer
So now you have intercourse the truth . Information can be confusing , but now you fuck that it ’s the grain of the leaves that puts de off some begonia , and not all .
But now you also have a few tips and even a “ secure list ” of varieties you’re able to mature …
Yes , you could have some begonias and sleep peaceable dreams …
@plantyofroom
Written By
Amber Noyes was born and raised in a suburban California town , San Mateo . She holds a original ’s level in gardening from the University of California as well as a BS in Biology from the University of San Francisco . With experience working on an constitutional farm , water conservation research , farmers ’ market , and plant nursery , she understands what give plants thrive and how we can better understand the link between microclimate and flora health . When she ’s not on the land , Amber loves informing masses of new idea / things link up to gardening , especially organic horticulture , houseplants , and growing industrial plant in a small space .
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