Hostas or plantain lilies are would-be perennials of summer borders because of their foliage and simple cultural requirements. These plants are ideal for shady areas and they are available in many colors and sizes, and with many textured forms. However, many gardeners face a common challenge when it comes to growing hostas: Dear. Such plants are so beloved for their great appetites that deer tend to become a real problem for these beauties. In this article, I will focus on deer and hostas; understanding how the deer can get to the hostas, how much damage they are capable of, and preventing this from happening.
Why Do Deer Eat Hostas?
Deer are plant eaters and these animals feed on a very rich diet throughout the year although their diet depends on the seasons.
Hostas are particularly appealing to deer for several reasons:
1. Nutritional Value:
Hostas are also hypertrophied and contain a lot of moisture coupled with tender foliage making it easier to water itself during the dry season. They also have a relatively high quantity of nutrients in their leaves which makes the menu attractive to deer in the forest.
2. Taste and Texture:
Hostas are preferred by deer due to the texture and palatability of the foliage. The texture of the plants is also suitable for deer palate since the leaves are soft and fleshy compared to the fibrous nature of other plants.
3. Availability:
It is planted in home gardens all over the world most preferably in the shady areas where deer usually hide. This is because there are many in the suburban and the rural regions and hence can be easily accessed by the deer.
4. Habit:
Deer are habitual animals which was evident in their routine of coming to feed early in the morning and at dusk. If they locate a good food source there such as the hostas, then you will be certain to find them there repeatedly.
The Extent of Deer Damage on Hostas
Deer can seriously damage the hostas, which for them seems to reduce an entire plant to manageable chunks, literally overnight. Thus, the extent depends on the density of the deer population in your area, the existence of other food sources, and the season.
Here’s what you can expect:
Leaf Damage:
The most common vegetation that deer consume is the hosta and they leave the stems without the leaves. There are times that they destroy the foliage of the plant most especially during the spring when other plant foods are also low.
Stem Damage:
Deer could also feed on the stem part, especially, on the young shoots of the plant and shrub. This is a problem since this can hinder the growth of the plant and its capacity to grow new leaves.
Flower Damage:
However, if hostas are unguarded, deer are likely to nip the flower buds or claw the blossoms thus affecting the flowering process.
Repeated Browsing:
Torrents of visitors will over time cause the withering of hostas since they become vulnerable to diseases and pests. Rarely a hosta plant does not bounce back although it may never do so if it is constantly attacked by the deer.
Finding Proof that Deer Are Eating Your Hostas
Defining deer damage to hostas is quite easy. Here are some signs to look for:
Ragged Edges:
One interesting feature of the deer is that they don’t have the upper front teeth; thus, they cut the leaves in a zigzag manner. Aging is not the only reason for hosta leaves with jagged, irregular outlines; you can bet it was the deer.
Height of Damage:
Deer feed in the central part of the pasture with their feeding height being 3 to 4 feet. When your hostas are within this scale, then you can be sure that it was caused by the debris left behind by the deer.
Deer Tracks and Droppings:
If you are a hosta lover look for deer tracks and their droppings around the hosta plants. They are elongated and have an inverted heart shape while their droppings are small pellet-like clusters.
Missing Flowers or Buds:
If you have observed that some of your flowers are still not blooming or the flowers are gone then it might be because of the deer feasting on your hostas.
How to Protect Hostas from Deer
Houses are quite vulnerable to damage by deer and it is quite hard to shield the hostas from them especially where the deer are many. However, there are several strategies you can implement to deter deer and minimize damage:
1. Physical Barriers
Fencing:
Fencing is one of the best ways of preventing deer from accessing your garden or your crops on the farm. Deer are very athletic animals so a fence should be at least 8 feet tall. If you restrictively decide on installing a fence then it is better to install a wooden solid fence and if the mesh fence is preferred then it should have tight holes that would not allow the deer to fit through it easily.
Netting:
When hostas cannot afford permanent fences, netting can offer a temporary solution to safeguard the plants, particularly during the most fruitful time of deer. Tie SWR around the plants at some distance from the ground and do not use hooks since the deer can lift it with snouts.
Plant Cages:
Another way of relating plant cages made of wire mesh is by putting one cage around each host plant to prevent deer from attacking it. This method of planting is very helpful, especially in the planting of hostas that are newly planted or some of the valuable potted hostas.
2. Deer Repellents
Scent Repellents:
Deer have a very good feeling of smell and they are put off by particular smells. There are commercial repellents that one can buy to repel deer such as the smell of rotten eggs, garlic, or the smell of the urine of its predator. These repellents are most effective if applied regularly and more so after every rain.
Taste Repellents:
These chemical deterrents ensure that hostas are not palatable to the deer and, therefore, are safe from being consumed. These products normally contain chemicals that have a bad taste in the deer hence the animals do not consume the treated plants. They work similarly and are best used as scent repellents; unlike other repellents, taste repellents have to be applied more than once in a while, frequently.
Homemade Solutions:
Some gardeners employ homemade deer-repellent solutions which involve eggs, hot water, and hot tamales. However, these are as efficient as commercial products and can be used as an economical solution in the case of light deer browsing.
3. Plant Deer-Resistant Species
It should be noted that none of the plants are 100% deer-proof some plants are less preferred by the deer due to the texture of the foliage, taste, or smell. Find out some of the plants that do not attract deer and plant these along the hostas to limit the movements of deer into the compound. Some of them are daffodils, lavender, yarrow foxglove, etc.
4. Garden Design Strategies
Strategic Placement:
Transplant so that hostas are growing closer to the house or wherever the bucks are not able to go. Some suggestions that can be taken include: People should avoid planting hostas near wooded edges or their traditional deer trails.
Companion Planting:
Seeds several plants around your hostas unfriendly to the deer as a natural repellent to the animals. There are several plants that deer avoid eating due to their smell; some plants that can be used include garlic, onions, and mint.
Use of Mulch and Gravel:
This is because deer do not prefer to walk on mulch or gravel surfaces as they make noise other than that; such surfaces are uncomfortable for the animals to be on. Try using the following materials in your vicinity especially near your hosta beds to help repel deer.
Conclusion
Although deer are one of the main problems for hosta gardeners there are many ways to protect these favorite plants. Learning why deer munch on those plants and how to use physical exclusion, repellent, and landscape programs can prevent it. Finally, it can be said that the most effective way of guarding your plants against the given pests or diseases has to involve persistence and flexibility as a major weapon because no approach would appear to be impregnable in all circumstances. But by being quite cautious and conscious you can certainly wake up to a beautiful garden free from deer with happy vibrant-looking hostas.
Regardless if you are an experienced gardener or new to growing hostas it is important to learn what you can do to keep deer away from your plants. As you will learn from this guide, it is possible to successfully plant and grow a garden that can effectively ‘ward off’ these elegant but invasive creatures and still be aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
