This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: [SG] Polygonum and deer

In a message dated 98-04-18 23:38:04 EDT, Mark writes:

<< >Thank you very much for your advice regarding Polygonum.  I have a lot
 >of acreage so my neighbors are not likely to be disturbed by what I
 >plant, but I will select the sites carefully. >>

Mark,

Deer do not eat artemesias which will grow in high and arid locations.  The
silver king/silver queen pair are notorious spreaders and look better than the
knotweed.  I have about 10 species in zone 4, ask if you would like the list.

Also outside my deer fence (about two acres presently) and not eaten by deer
are spireas of every kind, boxwoods (not especially easy or cheap),  and
pollarded native oaks.  I am close to you in upstate New York so our deer may
share the same tastes.  The ordinary lambs ears (stachys) are not eaten by
deer and once established spread into large patches.  There is an old
fashioned shrub called snowberry which is a nuisance in the garden but is left
alone by the deer where planted around the pond.  Look into willows.  If you
plant with a wire enclosure and the willow becomes established, no amount of
chomping will kill it.  We have some ordinary thing sold as French pink pussy
willow plus the contorted twig, is it matsudana or quite close to that.  After
coming up about five feet, any pruning by deer is not very damaging, the
willow outgrow the deer each summer.

I sense you are looking for a strong grower to cover areas where deer browse
regularly.  The water iris, pseudacorus, will grow  perfectly well dry soil
and is very hardy.  It will flower somewhat in part shade and is very tall and
strong.  Deer rarely eat iris of any sort.  Pity you need to plan your garden
around the deer menu.

Our main gate was left open accidentally one night in early April and the rose
bushes were all pruned.  A mountain laurel was damaged (poisonous to farm
animals) and a nursery row of special yews disappeared.  Their stamping about
destroyed plants just emerging.  We painted all of the posts to make the fence
less conspicuous and found we had to post the roadside with dozens of warning
signs.  Can't win, Mark!

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
zone 4
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index