Plumbago, also known as Cape Plumbago or Skyflower, is a popular choice in warm-climate landscaping due to its long season of attractive blue or white blossoms. This sprawling, semi-woody shrub is prized for its ability to cascade over walls and provide continuous color. Gardeners frequently inquire about its palatability to local wildlife, particularly deer. This information addresses whether deer eat Plumbago and explores the specific reasons behind its resistance.
Plumbago’s Status as a Deer-Resistant Plant
Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) is classified by horticultural experts as a deer-resistant plant. This designation means that deer will tend to avoid browsing on it in favor of more palatable options. It is not a preferred food source for the white-tailed deer that populate many suburban and rural areas. This makes it a reliable choice for landscapes where deer are present.
No plant is truly “deer-proof,” and “deer-resistant” is a relative term. The resistance rating suggests a lower likelihood of damage, but does not guarantee complete immunity from browsing. Deer will occasionally sample plants they typically avoid, especially when other food sources are scarce or during periods of high nutritional need. Selecting Plumbago offers a strong chance of maintaining an intact garden, but it is not an absolute defense.
The Specific Traits That Deter Deer
The primary factors contributing to Plumbago’s resistance are physical and chemical characteristics that make it unappealing to deer. Deer generally avoid plants with strong tastes, pungent aromas, or unpleasant textures. The flowers of Plumbago, in particular, possess a unique physical deterrent: they are covered in sticky, gland-tipped hairs on the calyx.
This sticky substance, an adaptation primarily used for seed dispersal, creates an off-putting texture for an animal that feeds by tearing vegetation. While the leaves are glossy, the overall chemical composition and physical properties of the plant contribute to its unpalatability. Deer quickly learn to associate this unpleasant texture or taste with the plant and generally move on to find a better meal.
Environmental Factors Affecting Deer Feeding Habits
While Plumbago has inherent defenses, external environmental pressures can override a deer’s natural aversion to the plant. A major factor is the seasonal availability of preferred food, particularly during early spring when tender new growth is scarce, or during severe drought conditions. When their usual forage is depleted, deer will browse on plants they would typically ignore, including Plumbago.
High deer population density also increases browsing pressure on all available vegetation. A large, hungry herd competing for limited resources is more likely to test the limits of what they consider edible. Furthermore, deer have changing nutritional needs, such as during winter when fat reserves are low, or in spring and summer when does are pregnant or nursing, which can temporarily change their dietary habits.
Practical Tips for Garden Protection
For gardeners facing persistent deer pressure, several practical strategies can supplement the plant’s natural resistance. The most reliable method is physical exclusion. Applying taste- and scent-based repellents can also be effective, especially when used early in the season to prevent deer from establishing a feeding pattern.
Protection Strategies
- Install a fence at least seven feet high around the garden perimeter.
- For smaller areas, a four-foot fence may be adequate, as deer dislike entering confined spaces.
- Use commercial sprays containing putrescent egg solids or dried blood to create a noxious odor that deters deer.
- Hang bars of strong-smelling soap, such as Irish Spring, from branches to create a localized scent barrier that interrupts foraging.