Re: CULT: deer and iris

>MastrGardn@aol.com wrote:
>>
>> I, too, have trouble with varmits eating my TB's.  They seem to like the
>> under side of the rhizomes, and often I dont' realize that it has been eaten
>> until new growth starts in the spring and that rhizome fails to thrive.  We
>> have many moles, but I am told that moles do not eat iris. I would like to
>> have suggestions as to what is eating the rhizomes.  This year, as I have
>> been cleaning the iris beds, I have found leaves chewed at the outer edges
>> about one to two inches above the ground. This is the first that this has
>> happened.  What did it?  Do dear like iris leaves?
>Hi;
>No, it has been our experience that deer do NOT like iris leaves, and
>nor do cows. The deer prefer things like the new tender leaves on the
>Japanese maples, and the new shoots on the dogwood and the plum trees.

Deer will eat Louisiana Iris leaves; I've caught them at it.  They will
also selectively attack I. virginica leaves.  No problem with any other
type,in my experience.  Probably too busy with the daylilies and tulips!

I'd like to reiterate my dried blood remedy for deer, rabbits, etc.  Just
dust lightly with dried blood early in the morning when the dew is still
on, or after a rain.  Works every time, but must be re-done after each
rainstorm.  Dried blood can be purchased in 3 lb. bags at most garden
centers.  One bag should get quite a large garden through the deer/rabbit
season if you use it only on susceptable plants.

Haven't tried this, but someone near here swears used cat litter scattered
in the perennial borders keeps out deer and rabbits.  Caution: if the cat
is an unaltered female, it will also attract every tom for miles around!

Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@tiger.hsc.edu>
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