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Deer-proof, roughly

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hosta leaf
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1The honest headline

Every extension list of 'deer-resistant' plants opens with the same disclaimer: resistance depends on local deer density, the season and how hungry they are, and even the plants rated 'rarely damaged' get nibbled sometimes.

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2What tends to survive

Fuzzy, fragrant, or strongly scented plants do best: lavender, marjoram and other herbs, ornamental grasses, and spiny or leathery-leaved shrubs. Hostas, daylilies, tulips and roses are near the top of nearly every 'frequently damaged' list, which is most of why this page exists.

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3The fence number

Deer can clear most garden fences without much effort, so a fence meant to actually exclude them needs to be at least eight feet high — anything shorter is more of a suggestion than a barrier.

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4The cheaper trick

A small fenced 'micro-exclosure' around just the plants deer want most works on a different principle than a tall fence: deer are wary of entering tight spaces they can't easily jump back out of, so a low, tight enclosure can deter them even without matching an eight-foot fence around the whole yard.

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5Repellents are a maintenance habit, not a fix

Scent and taste repellents (commercial sprays, or home mixes) work by making a plant unpleasant, not impossible, to eat, and they wash off in rain and wear off as new growth appears untreated — so they're a spray-again-after-every-storm habit, not a one-time purchase.

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