Coneflowers (Echinacea) are popular perennial flowers known for their sturdy, daisy-like blooms. In areas with high white-tailed deer populations, gardeners often seek plants that are naturally unappealing to these herbivores. Understanding the level of resistance offered by coneflowers is important for planning a successful garden. This article explores the biological characteristics that deter deer from Echinacea and the circumstances under which this natural defense may fail.
The Truth About Cone Flower Resistance
Coneflowers are classified as deer-resistant, meaning they are generally not a preferred food source, though they are not immune to browsing. The plant’s primary deterrents are its physical and chemical composition. Mature leaves and stems have a coarse, slightly fuzzy texture that is mechanically unappealing to deer.
Deer lack upper incisor teeth, forcing them to tear plants, which makes the fibrous structure of coneflowers difficult to process. The plant also contains chemical compounds, such as terpenes and saponins, which impart a bitter or pungent flavor. This unpalatable taste, combined with the tough texture, encourages deer to select more agreeable forage options.
Factors Influencing Deer Consumption
Coneflower resistance can be overridden by external environmental pressures and internal plant variability. The most common factor is food scarcity, which occurs during severe drought, deep winter snow cover, or in areas with high deer population density. When preferred food sources are exhausted, deer will browse on nearly any available plant material, including those they normally avoid.
The maturity of the plant also plays a significant role. Newly emerging growth in the spring is particularly vulnerable because young shoots lack the coarse texture and full concentration of bitter compounds found in established foliage. Furthermore, some newer, hybrid coneflower varieties, bred for novel colors, may have inadvertently lost some natural defensive compounds or the traditional coarse texture of the native purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Deer may also acclimate to the plant’s taste if it remains the only consistent food source.
Practical Methods to Protect Cone Flowers
Gardeners can employ several proactive strategies to protect coneflowers and discourage deer browsing.
Commercial Repellents
One effective approach is using commercial deer repellents, which work by taste or smell to make plants unattractive. Repellents often contain strong-smelling ingredients like rotten eggs, garlic, or capsaicin. They require reapplication, especially after heavy rain or when new growth emerges.
Physical Barriers
Physical barriers offer the most reliable defense, particularly for vulnerable new plants in the spring. Temporary wire cages or sections of chicken wire can be placed around individual plants until they reach a more resilient size and texture.
Companion Planting
Strategic companion planting can also help by camouflaging coneflowers among plants that deer actively dislike due to strong scents. Placing coneflowers near highly aromatic species like lavender, sage, ornamental onions, or Russian sage can help deter deer from approaching the area.