Flowers are the epitome of beauty. But culturing flowers can be a bit difficult as insects will not leave them alone. Moreover, you may find a low harvest at the end of the day if there are animals around the garden.
Deer are especially attracted to the flowers and would have anything when they are hungry. Following the below tips and information regarding deer and if they eat bluebells or not would give you an idea of the food habits of the deers.
Do deer eat bluebells?
Not all the deers eat bluebells. Except for muntjac deers, others will avoid eating bluebells. Sometimes they trample on the bluebells field. Well, deers do not usually eat flowers that are harmful to them unless they are excessively hungry. Moreover, bluebell leaves are often consumed by deers.
Flowers are attractive to all. This attraction can go bad when animals or insects try to harm the flowers. Often you may find the number of flowers decreasing in the garden. Or the flower is getting damaged by insects. Sometimes, animals would trample over them
Deer are no different. They will have flowers if they find them unless the flowers are toxic to them. Though bluebells are not eaten by deers, some species may have bluebells. Later, it would cause them to have sick health.
Virginia bluebells:
Virginia bluebells spread rapidly with time. You may find the Virginia bluebells spreading in the blink of your eye. Well, they are resistant to deers. But other animals would love to have Virginia bluebells due to their mesmerizing blue color.
Spanish bluebells:
Spanish bluebells are wildlife flowers that are deer resistant. The spreading rate of Spanish bluebells is quite high, especially in the spring. It is also forbidden to plant them. Moreover, after blooming, they spread rapidly.
They are known as the hybrid form. They become out of control when they spread. They can invade a large area causing blooming yet destruction of the gardens.
English bluebells:
English bluebells give off a sweet scent. It does not spread like other bluebells. Yet they are considered deer resistant. Deers will not have English bluebells unless they are hungry.
English bluebells are not poisonous. And often not harmed by insects or pests. Moreover, the leaves of the bluebells are suitable to feed for animals.
Are bluebells deer resistant?
No, bluebells are not deer resistant but deers are pretty much bluebells resistant. Bluebells are blue-colored flowers that are bell-shaped. Bluebells are also known as wildflowers. You can find them in a bunch in forests or the wildlife.
They may fill the whole field including the surrounding areas.
Moreover, bluebells spread rapidly. Once they bloom, they can occupy a whole area. It becomes severe sometimes. That’s why planting bluebells is also forbidden as it is impossible to control their growth. Even though they attract many animals, deers are resistant to bluebells.
Well, deers might have bluebells if they are excessively hungry. Muntjac deers would have bluebells, unlike other deers. Moreover, the leaves are suitable to feed for deers. Eating bluebells can cause stomach aches and ill health to the deers.
The bluebells contain poisonous compounds which have a little effect on deer.
Are bluebells poisonous to deer?
Bluebells are not exactly poisonous to deers. Rather deers would not hesitate to have bluebells when they are hungry. In normal cases, they would rather avoid eating bluebells. Deers almost eat anything and everything when they are hungry. Well, deer do not like bluebells.
Moreover, bluebells are not exactly toxic to deers. Bluebells contain toxic components which might harm other animals. In deer, it can often cause bad stomach pain, ill-health, and weakness. Some species of deers actually eat bluebells and it causes no harm.
Rather, bluebell leaves are often fed to deers. Even many animals prefer bluebell leaves over the bulb. You may often find your bluebell field getting trampled on by animals and especially deers. Deers actually do not go near the flowers which have a high scent.
In the case of bluebells, some species may have a strong odor. It’s more likely that deers would ignore those flowers. Though bluebells are not considered poisonous to deers yet better not to feed them.
What shrubs are deer resistant?
Deers cause huge damage to the fields. They often trample on flowers and eat some. As a result, a long-awaited harvest can go in vain. Efforts of many would be worthless. You may even find the flowers reducing in numbers as deers would have half of them.
Well, some flowers and shrubs can escape from the destruction of the deer. It is not necessary that deers will not destroy those plants. Yet, there is a lower chance. Some of the shrubs which are deer resistant are given below to give a proper idea of them.
Bayberry:
Bayberry is a green shrub that comes with benefits to humans. Well, due to its strong scent, it is deer resistant. Deers can not withstand strong odors. They would ignore the plants with a strong fragrance.
Boxwood:
Who hasn’t seen boxwood yet? The widely found boxwood is mostly used in hedges. They are used in a bunch to increase the beauty of the surrounding. Instead of being green and attractive, they are resistant to deers.
Deers do not like boxwood as the taste does not suit them.
Juniper:
Juniper grows well in sunlight and remains evergreen. It is widely used in gardens. Well, the strong scent of it is capable of deterring deers.
Dwarf Alberta spruce:
Dwarf Alberta spruce is not too high and is a dense tree. It is tough and can withstand any climate. Moreover, it is deer resistant. You can plant in the yard to keep the deers away.
Butterfly bush:
Butterfly bushes offer different colors and come in larger sizes. The appealing beauty attracts animals and especially butterflies. Meanwhile, butterfly bushes are resistant to deers.
Arrowwood:
Arrowwood is a low-maintenance shrub that grows faster with time. Moreover, it comes in different colors as well. As a result, birds and butterflies get attracted to Arrowood. In the case of deers, arrowwood is not preferable to them.
Barberry:
Apart from strong odor, deers stay away from plants that have thorns. Even though barberry looks quite appealing, it contains thorns that can deter deer. Being full of the spine is an advantage here to repel deer.
How to protect your shrubs from deer?
Deers can strike on any shrubs they see. Well, sometimes, people may plant shrubs that are deer resistant and later find them getting destroyed by deers. Deers can damage any plant when they are hungry.
Planting deer-resistant trees can not be an overall solution. You can rather protect your shrubs by following the tips below.
Hard clothing:
Here, hard clothing refers to the net. Any net made of hard materials. It can be a nylon net as well. You can surround the shrub with a net. And secure them with wood or pipes to the ground. Thus making a barrier to the deers to damage the trees.
Wire fencing:
It is not just wire fencing, any fence would help unless they are at a good height. Wire fencing can be tough and keep the deers from entering the secure area. Rather, use high wire fences around the shrub.
Deer repellent:
You can use deer repellent on the shrubs. Deers would go away as soon as they smell the repellents. Deers can not withstand high fragrance at all.
Wrap them with burlap:
If your shrub is quite long, you can try to cover it up by using burlap. Well, using burlap also helps to keep other animals away from the plants. It can also make the shrub stand the high wind.
Use soap:
Using soap can help to keep the deers away from the plants. You should use soap with a strong smell. You can hang them on the tree or spread them nearby after cutting them. Deers do not come near strong fragrances.
Avoid planting deer attracting plants:
The biggest mistake anyone can make is planting plants that attract deer. Or which are fed to deers. Avoid planting such trees to keep the deers away.
Final thoughts:
Overall, deers eat almost everything when they are hungry. The same goes for bluebells. Some species of deers may eat bluebells too. Moreover, deers can not stand high or strong smells. Almost every plant with a strong smell can resist deer. If they can not, deers would rather trample the plants.