Hey fellow gardeners! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably stood in the garden center staring at those beautiful impatiens, wondering if deer will turn your future flower bed into their personal salad bar. Well I’ve done the research and had my fair share of deer drama, so let me break it down for you.
Quick Answer Nope impatiens are definitely not deer resistant. Deer “occasionally severely damage” them, according to research from Rutgers University. But don’t worry – I’ve got some solutions for you!.
Why Do Deer Love Munching on Impatiens?
Let’s be real here – deer have pretty good taste! They go after impatiens for several reasons:
- Sweet Flavor: The flowers and leaves are like candy to deer
- Soft Texture: Super easy to chew and digest
- Bright Colors: Those vivid blooms are like neon “eat here” signs
- No Natural Defense: Unlike thorny roses, impatiens are totally defenseless
- Shade Location: Deer love hanging out in shady spots where impatiens grow
Will Your Impatiens Survive a Deer Buffet?
The recovery chances depend on how hungry those deer were
- Light Damage: If they just nibbled some flowers, your plants might bounce back
- Medium Damage: Lost most leaves? Recovery’s gonna be tough
- Heavy Damage: If they ate it to the ground, well… time to go shopping again!
My Top Tips for Protecting Your Impatiens
After years of trial and error, here’s what actually works:
Physical Barriers
- Install 4-foot fencing around your garden
- Use hanging baskets (deer can’t fly… yet!)
- Place impatiens on tall pedestals
- Create container gardens on elevated porches
Natural Deterrents
- Plant strong-smelling herbs nearby:
- Lavender
- Sage
- Thyme
- Add blood meal to soil (but keep it away from leaves)
- Surround with deer-resistant plants as buffers
Other Tricks
- Motion-activated sprinklers (plus entertainment value!)
- Commercial deer repellents (reapply after rain)
- Wind chimes (they hate unexpected noises)
Alternative Plants Worth Considering
If you’re tired of playing defense with deer, try these deer-resistant alternatives that provide similar color:
- SunPatiens: A hybrid variety that’s less tasty to deer
- Marigolds: Deer rarely bother these bright bloomers
- Black-eyed Susans: The fuzzy leaves turn deer away
- Geraniums: Their strong scent keeps deer at bay
My Personal Experience
Last summer, I planted two beautiful beds of impatiens – one protected, one not. The unprotected bed? Gone in two nights! But my protected bed, using a combination of fencing and smelly herbs, bloomed all season long. Sometimes you gotta learn the hard way!
Pro Tips for Success
- Location Matters: Plant impatiens closer to your house where deer are less likely to venture
- Rotate Deterrents: Deer get used to the same tricks, so switch things up
- Stay Vigilant: Check your plants regularly for early signs of deer damage
- Have a Backup Plan: Keep some replacement plants ready, just in case
The Bottom Line
While impatiens aren’t deer resistant, that doesn’t mean you can’t grow them successfully. With the right protection strategies and a bit of persistence, you can still enjoy these colorful beauties in your garden. Just remember – no plant is truly “deer-proof,” but some are definitely more deer-resistant than others!
Remember to change these strategies based on the number of deer in your area and how your garden is set up. Do not be afraid to try new things! What works in one garden might not work in another.
Deer Resistant Container Plants
Looking for deer resistant container plants for your landscape? Here are ten plants to consider:
- Dusty Miller
- Tricolor Sage
- Marigold
- Heliotrope
- Verbena
- Euphorbia
- Iceland Poppy
- Ageratum
- Lantana
There are a few things you can do to keep plants and trees in your yard that were planted there by someone else. One is to plant other plants deer find yucky around those you want to protect in your garden beds such as herbs like Basil, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, and Rosemary. Not only do they help deer move away to some degree, but they also have wonderful use in the kitchen!.
If you have a much larger yard to defend, Cider Mill Landscapes can install a veritable “deer screen” around the perimeter of your property. Which includes specimens that deer don’t find tasty that creates almost a wall of nasty flavored trees and shrubs that deer find unsuitable to browse.
We can also add Deer Scram to the installation of new landscapes in areas that are susceptible to a heavy deer population. Which is a natural and environmentally friendly repellent that keeps deer at bay.
Let Cider Mill Landscapes help you select plants, shrubs and trees that will defend against deer browsing, yet look spectacular.
If you are in southeast Pennsylvania or northern Delaware, give us a call at (484) 574-4666. You can also email us at projects@cidermilllandscapes. com.
Deer Resistant Shade Plants
Do you have a lot of shade? Here are twelve shade plants that deer won’t eat for your garden or landscape:
Are Impatiens Deer Resistant? – The Plant Enthusiast
FAQ
Which impatiens are deer resistant?
Unfortunately, impatiens are not deer resistant plants.
Do deer eat impatiens or begonias?
Deer will eat both impatiens and begonias, though they generally prefer impatiens.
Do impatiens like sun or shade?
Impatiens generally prefer partial to full shade. They thrive in areas with 2-4 hours of filtered sunlight or morning sun with afternoon shade.
What flowering annuals will deer not eat?
Deer-Resistant AnnualsZinnia haageana, Color Crackle. Sensational bicolor double-flowers on mildew resistant plants. California Poppy, Sunset Mixed Colors. Zinnia, Forecast. Zinnia, Raspberry Lemonade Mix. Zinnia, Cut & Come Again Mixed Colors. Zinnia, White Wedding. Zinnia, Giant Flowered Mixed Colors. Vinca, Tattoo Papaya.