Oriental lilies, a highly fragrant and visually striking group within the Lilium genus, are prized by gardeners for their massive, colorful blooms and sweet perfume. These plants, which include popular varieties like ‘Stargazer,’ are unfortunately not deer resistant. Oriental lilies are considered a preferred food source for browsing deer, making them highly susceptible to damage where deer are present. Gardeners must assume these flowering bulbs will be browsed unless specific protective measures are taken.
Understanding Deer Palatability
The primary reason deer are drawn to Oriental lilies is their texture, high nutritional value, and appealing scent. Unlike many plants that have evolved chemical defenses, such as strong toxins or bitter-tasting alkaloids, lilies lack these natural deterrents. This makes their foliage and buds palatable and easily digestible to herbivores.
The tender new growth emerging in spring is particularly attractive because it is high in moisture and concentrated nutrients after a long winter. Deer seek out succulent plants to replenish reserves, and the rapidly growing shoots of lilies meet this need perfectly. Their appealing, slightly sweet fragrance acts as an olfactory beacon for hungry deer.
Deer often target flower buds specifically because they are concentrated sources of water, sugars, and proteins just before opening. This rich, tender texture is far more appealing than the tough, fibrous leaves of plants deer typically avoid. This preference differs starkly from deer-resistant species, such as daffodils (Narcissus) or hyacinths, which contain bitter or toxic compounds like lycorine or calcium oxalate crystals.
Recognizing Deer Damage
Identifying the source of damage is the first step toward effective protection, as deer damage has distinct characteristics that differentiate it from other common garden pests like rabbits. Deer lack upper incisor teeth, meaning they cannot make a clean cut when feeding. When a deer bites a plant stem or bud, it tears and pulls the plant material, leaving a ragged, uneven, or jagged edge on the remaining stem.
The height of the damage is another strong indicator, as deer typically browse plants at a height of two to six feet off the ground. You may find the entire top portion of the lily stem, including all developing flower buds, cleanly removed just above this level. While deer consume leaves and stems, their favorite target is the unopened flower bud, which they often eat completely before it blooms.
Effective Plant Protection Measures
Successful protection requires a multi-pronged and consistent strategy focusing on both physical exclusion and sensory deterrence. Fencing is the most secure and reliable method for preventing deer damage. For a permanent barrier, a fence must be at least eight feet tall because deer are capable of jumping significant heights.
For smaller garden areas or individual plants, temporary physical barriers can be created using chicken wire or heavy-duty netting. This temporary caging is most important during the spring when tender shoots emerge and flower buds are developing. The material should be secured firmly to the ground and extend over the top of the plant to prevent deer from reaching over the enclosure.
Repellents target the deer’s senses of smell and taste, but they require regular reapplication to maintain effectiveness. Commercial repellents are generally categorized as either scent-based, which use foul odors to warn deer away, or taste-based, which make the plant unappetizing if a deer attempts to browse it. Common active ingredients include putrescent egg solids, which deer associate with decay, or capsaicin, which provides a hot, unpleasant taste.
Repellents must be reapplied frequently, usually every seven to ten days, and always immediately after rainfall, which washes the active ingredients off the foliage. Switching between different types of repellents is advised, as deer can become accustomed to a single odor or taste, reducing efficacy. Another supplementary strategy is companion planting, which involves surrounding lilies with highly aromatic or toxic plants deer naturally avoid, such as alliums, lavender, or bearded iris.