Landscaping

Each growing season landscapes become buffet tables for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). And questions about deer-resistant plants start coming ito me.

Yes, it is possible for landscape gardeners in eastern North America to outwit large populations of white-tail deer by carefully choosing plants for their designs.

Lists of deer-resistant plants flourish on the Internet. Now, I'm adding to these numbers! What makes my lists different?

• I don't choose lists from unverified sources. I assemble my own based on my personal experience and on interviews and discussions with respected experts in each plant category. So far, I've posted two lists – one showing shrubs and the other, small flowering trees. Ones still to come list annuals, perennials, and spring-flowering bulbs. Landscape Gardening with Native N. A. Plants is an index of my articles about deer-resistant and non-resistant native plants.

• Personal experience has taught me that plants native to a location are usually more than likely to be deer-resistant. However, this is not always a workable solution! My sad experiences and those of many readers lead to a strict caveat:

No plant is deer-proof! Large deer populations will browse and even destroy resistant plantings when weather is severe or food sources meager.

Experience shows that at times Viburnum quercifolia (goosefoot / Oakleaf hydrangea) and Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) 'Blue Muffin' are little more than tasty snacks for really hungry white-tail deer.

• Now, it is easier than ever for readers to add to my lists. Faithful observant readers may leave anecdotes of their experiences by using Suite101's new "Comment" option. Find this option after each article. I read and carefully consider each comment. However, while I can't respond to individual comments, I can use comments as a base for a Blog entry or amend an article.