Coral Bells (Heuchera) are highly favored perennial plants cultivated primarily for their striking, colorful foliage. These North American natives offer a wide spectrum of leaf colors, ranging from deep purple to vibrant lime green and peach. Gardeners often use them as attractive alternatives to highly palatable options like hostas. When planting in areas with wildlife, understanding the plant’s natural defense against common pests like deer and rabbits is important.
Coral Bells and Deer: Assessing the Resistance
Coral Bells are generally classified as highly resistant to deer browsing, which is a significant advantage in areas with high deer populations. The plant’s natural chemical makeup creates an unpleasant flavor profile that deer find unappealing. Deer are primarily browsers, feeding on leaves, shoots, and young stems. They often sample a plant first, and the immediate bitter taste of Heuchera usually discourages further consumption.
This high level of resistance means that while a curious deer might take an exploratory nibble, widespread damage to established plants is uncommon. Coral Bells are often recommended as reliable perimeter planting to help protect more vulnerable species nearby. However, “resistant” does not translate to “deer-proof.” Deer are known to eat almost any plant when preferred food sources are unavailable or stressed.
Coral Bells and Rabbits: Assessing the Resistance
Coral Bells are generally resistant to rabbits, though this resistance can be slightly less consistent than with deer. Rabbits are ground-level grazers, nibbling on tender, low-growing vegetation. They can be particularly attracted to the soft new growth and flower spikes that emerge from the base of the Heuchera rosette in the spring.
While mature foliage is often left alone, young plants or tender shoots can occasionally sustain damage. Rabbits tend to clip stems cleanly near the ground, a distinctive feeding pattern compared to the ragged tearing characteristic of deer. Because the Coral Bell’s compact, mounding structure keeps the foliage low, it is placed directly in the rabbits’ primary feeding zone. Gardeners may therefore notice more sporadic rabbit damage than deer damage.
Understanding the Exceptions and Environmental Factors
The primary mechanism granting Coral Bells resistance is the presence of secondary metabolites, specifically tannins, within the plant tissue. These astringent compounds create an unpleasant sensation in the animal’s mouth, making the plant taste bad. This chemical defense is present across the entire plant but may be less concentrated in the newest, softest growth.
The resistance provided by these compounds can break down under conditions of extreme environmental stress. During severe drought or when deep snow limits access to natural forage, deer and rabbits become desperate for calories. In these scenarios, the need for food outweighs the deterrent of the unpleasant taste, leading them to consume plants they normally avoid. Newly transplanted Coral Bells are also more vulnerable, as the plant is stressed and its defensive compounds may not be fully mobilized.
Reinforcing Protection: Practical Deterrence Methods
To maximize protection against browsing, several practical methods can reinforce the plant’s natural resistance. Physical barriers offer the most reliable defense, particularly for rabbits who feed close to the ground. Installing a low, sturdy chicken wire fence or a fine mesh barrier that extends slightly below the soil line can effectively block rabbit access.
Applying commercial repellents designed for deer and rabbits is another effective strategy. These products, often using ingredients like putrescent egg, create a foul taste or smell that discourages feeding. Repellents must be reapplied frequently, especially after heavy rain or as new foliage emerges, to maintain efficacy. Strategic companion planting can also deter animals; surrounding Coral Bells with fragrant herbs like lavender, rosemary, or alliums can mask the Heuchera’s scent and make the area less appealing.