Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Are Hosta Plants Deer Resistant?
Are Hosta Plants Deer Resistant?. Many homeowners have problems with deer feasting on their beloved gardens. Planting deer-resistant plants is a way to discourage the animal from your garden. Hostas, unfortunately, not deer resistant. In fact, hostas are often plagued by deer. Don't fret though; many other plants are deer resistant, though there...
Many homeowners have problems with deer feasting on their beloved gardens. Planting deer-resistant plants is a way to discourage the animal from your garden. Hostas, unfortunately, not deer resistant. In fact, hostas are often plagued by deer. Don't fret though; many other plants are deer resistant, though there are a couple other ways to help deter deer from your hosta garden.
About Hostas
Hostas are shade-loving perennials that are extremely cold hardy, with some varieties hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zone 3. They are typically grown for their foliage, which can be bright green or variegated with white edging, for example. They are relatively easy plants to grow, making them a favorite among many gardeners.
Where to Plant
You can plant hostas in areas that receive less than four hours of sunlight per day; however, they will fare better if they have dappled sunlight throughout the day or a couple hours of direct sunlight in the morning. Plant in the center of your garden or near an area with deer-resistant plants to help discourage deer from entering the garden in the first place.
Deer-resistant Plants
Hostas may not be deer resistant, but many other plants are. In general, plants that are bitter, spicy, milky, sappy, hairy, though, thorny or tough, are unpalatable to deer. Examples include boxwood, thyme, rose-of-sharon, columbine, snakeroot, bleeding heart, foxglove, daffodil, rhubarb, buttercup and yucca.
Other Deer Deterrents
Exclude deer from your property with a fence. A permanent 8-foot-high fence built on a slight angle works well, as does a temporary electric fence that trains deer not approach your yard. Other ways to keep the deer out of your garden bed is to let your dogs outdoors. Even if you keep them on a leash or in the confines of an invisible fence, their presence will help keep the deer away. Put their food and water on opposite sides of the garden to keep the dogs moving. Use deer repellents, which may be available at your garden store and are often made from rotten eggs or cayenne pepper. You could also try sprinkling cayenne pepper around your hosta bed and on the leaves to help repel deer.
