The answer to whether deer eat day lilies (Hemerocallis) is a definitive yes, making this popular perennial a frequent target in many gardens. These animals find the plants highly palatable, especially the developing flower buds and tender new growth in the spring when other food sources may be limited. Once deer establish a taste for the plant, they will consume the leaves, stems, flowers, and even pull up newly planted seedlings to eat the roots. This behavior presents a widespread challenge for gardeners who value the hardy nature and vibrant blooms of day lilies.
Confirming Deer as the Culprit
Identifying deer damage requires looking closely at the bite marks on the remaining plant material. Deer lack upper incisor teeth, meaning they cannot make a clean cut when they eat foliage. Instead, they must press the plant against their lower teeth and pull, which results in a ragged, torn, or shredded appearance on the remnants of stems and leaves.
Damage caused by smaller herbivores, such as rabbits, will look distinctly different. Rabbits and groundhogs possess sharp incisors that leave behind a very clean, angled, scissor-like cut on the stems. Deer typically browse higher on the plant, often damaging foliage up to six feet from the ground, while smaller animals feed much closer to the soil level.
Beyond the plant damage itself, other evidence can confirm the presence of deer. Look for hoof prints in soft soil near the damaged area, and finding small, dark, pellet-like scat in the vicinity also points to deer activity.
Effective Protection Strategies
Physical barriers offer the most reliable defense against deer browsing. Because deer are capable jumpers, a permanent fence must be at least eight feet high to be effective at deterring them from entering the garden space. For gardeners who cannot install such a large structure, temporary solutions like netting or caging individual plants with welded wire or chicken wire can offer short-term protection, especially around vulnerable, newly planted specimens.
Repellents work by targeting the deer’s senses of smell and taste, acting as a deterrent to feeding. Contact repellents are applied directly to the foliage to make the plant taste unpleasant, while area repellents are scent-based and create an odor signaling danger or an undesirable environment.
Many commercial and homemade repellents utilize strong odors from ingredients like putrescent eggs, garlic, or capsaicin (the compound found in hot peppers). Repellents require consistent reapplication, especially after rain or heavy irrigation, as the active compounds wash off over time. Rotating between different types of repellents is also advisable, as deer can become habituated to a single scent or taste, reducing its effectiveness.
Another practical approach involves adjusting the planting location of day lilies to areas less frequented by deer. Placing day lilies closer to a house, near areas of high human traffic, or close to a frequently used patio can discourage browsing. Deer are naturally wary of human activity and noise, making these locations less appealing for feeding.
Selecting Deer-Resistant Substitutes
For gardeners who face persistent deer pressure and wish to avoid constant application of barriers or repellents, replacing day lilies with less palatable alternatives is an option. Deer are generally deterred by plants with strong, pungent scents, fuzzy or prickly textures, or those that possess toxic compounds. No plant is entirely deer-proof, but these options offer a better chance of survival.
Plants that emit strong odors, such as lavender, garlic chives, or bee balm, can be planted strategically to create a scent barrier around more vulnerable plants. Other alternatives, like perennial hibiscus or certain ornamental grasses, feature fuzzy leaves or tough stems that deer find texturally unappealing for browsing.
Alternatives often avoided by deer include peonies, irises, and coneflowers (Echinacea species). Replacing a landscape dominated by day lilies with a diverse mix of these less favored species can reduce the overall appeal of the garden to passing deer.