As a gardening and landscape gardening expert , I have encountered the frustrating problem of deer damaging plants in many gardens . However , over the year , I have discovered several plants with fuzzy leaf that cervid tend to avoid . These plants not only add grain and interestingness to a garden , but they also provide a natural deterrent against deer browsing .
One such plant is the heartleaf brunnera ( Brunnera ) . This perennial has large , heart - shaped leave cover in a soft , fuzzy grain . Deer typically avoid plant with blurry foliation because the grain is unpleasant to their sensible mouths . The heart-leaf brunnera also develop soft blue flowers in the spring , add ravisher to the garden .
Another works with hazy foliage that deer tend to obviate is lungwort ( Pulmonaria ) . Lungwort is a low - growing perennial with attractive silver - spotted foliage . The texture of the leafage , combine with the silver markings , gain it unappealing to cervid . Lungwort also produces clusters of small , vasiform prime in shades of pinkish , majestic , or blue , attracting pollinator to the garden .
Lamb ’s ear ( Stachys ) is another excellent option for a fuzzy - foliaged plant that deer dislike . Its soft , velvety leave are not only a delectation to touch but also act as as a natural hindrance to deer . Lamb ’s ear is a dispirited - maintenance perennial that forms slow matting of foliage , create a beautiful dry land cover in the garden .
Deadnettle ( Lamium ) is another fuzzed - foliaged plant that deer tend to forfend . This footing back plant has ash gray - green leaves with a balmy , foggy grain . Deadnettle also produces colorful flowers in shades of pinkish , purplish , or white , adding vibrancy to the garden . The fuzzy foliation , combined with the fragrance of the flowers , create it unappealing to cervid .
Wormwood ( Artemisia ) is a repeated plant with feathery , silver - gray leaves that cervid typically debar . The leaves have a strong , redolent olfactory property that deters deer from graze on them . Wormwood is a drought - kind industrial plant that adds a unique texture and color to the garden , peculiarly when planted in mass groupings .
cover flower ( Gaillardia ) is not only loved by butterfly stroke but also dislike by cervid due to its fuzzy leaf . This repeated produces vibrant , daisy - like blossom in shades of red , orange , and chickenhearted . The fuzzy leaves , combined with the colourful flower , make it an excellent option for deer - resistant gardens .
Coleus ( Plectranthus ) is a popular yearly plant with fuzzy foliage that deer be given to avoid . This plant comes in a wide range of colour and patterns , adding visual stake to the garden . The fuzzy leaves do as a rude deterrent to deer , make coleus a bang-up choice for container or garden beds .
Butterfly bush ( Buddleia ) is a bush with fuzzy foliage that deer typically avoid . This flora is know for its fragrant , cone cell - influence flower clustering that draw butterflies and other pollinators . The fuzzy leaves , combined with the unattackable scent of the flowers , make it unappealing to cervid .
Spirea ( Spiraea ) is a versatile shrub with fuzzy foliage that cervid run to avoid . This flora comes in a assortment of sizes and colour , add grain and interest to the garden . The fuzzy leaves act as a natural deterrent to cervid , making spirea a enceinte addition to cervid - resistant landscape painting .
Lastly , viburnum is a group of shrubs with fuzzy foliage that deer typically avoid . Different varieties of viburnum extend dissimilar texture and colouration , adding diverseness to the garden . The fuzzy leaves , combined with the attractive flowers and yield , make viburnum an excellent option for deer - resistant garden .
In my experience , comprise these works with fuzzy leafage into a garden has helped deter deer from browsing and detrimental other plants . However , it ’s important to observe that deer browse habit can vary bet on the region and specific deer populations . It ’s always a good idea to observe local deer behavior and adjust plant selections consequently .
Caroline Bates