Zinnias are a favorite garden annual, treasured for their vibrant, long-lasting blooms and ease of cultivation. For gardeners in areas where white-tailed deer roam, the possibility of these animals turning a flower bed into a midnight snack is a constant concern. Understanding the dietary habits of deer, especially concerning plants like zinnias, is the first step toward successful garden management. This knowledge allows homeowners to implement effective, targeted strategies to protect their floral investments.
The Verdict Do Deer Eat Zinnias
Zinnias are generally classified as a plant that deer occasionally damage, placing them lower on the list of preferred food sources. This relative resistance is primarily due to the plant’s physical characteristics, specifically the slightly coarse texture and mildly bitter taste of the foliage and stems. Zinnias are not as palatable as softer, sweeter options like hostas, tulips, or certain vegetable greens.
Despite this general aversion, no plant is entirely deer-proof, and zinnias will be consumed under certain conditions. When food is scarce, such as during a drought or in winter, or when local deer populations are high, deer will browse on plants they typically avoid. Young zinnia seedlings and tender new growth are particularly vulnerable because their tissues are softer than mature plant material.
Factors Influencing Deer Plant Selection
Deer are selective browsers whose diet choices are driven by a plant’s nutritional value, palatability, and defenses. Their preference shifts throughout the year, with a strong desire for high-protein forage during the spring and summer months. Tender, young plants are inherently more attractive because they contain a higher percentage of protein necessary for growth and reproduction.
Plants consistently avoided by deer often possess strong physical or chemical deterrents. Physical defenses include rough, fuzzy, or prickly textures, such as those found on lamb’s ear or thistle, which are unpleasant to chew. Chemical defenses involve compounds that give a plant a strong odor or bitter taste. Highly aromatic herbs and plants containing toxic compounds are the most reliably avoided.
Effective Strategies for Garden Protection
The most reliable approach to preventing deer damage is the use of physical barriers, installed with an understanding of deer behavior. Deer are capable jumpers, so a perimeter fence needs to be at least 7.5 to 8 feet tall to prevent them from clearing it. Alternatively, a slanted or double-fence design can confuse the deer, making them less likely to attempt a jump, even if the fence is lower.
Beyond permanent fencing, temporary measures like mesh netting or wire cages can protect individual vulnerable plantings, such as young zinnias. Gardeners can also employ chemical repellents, which work by creating a deterrent based on taste or scent. Scent-based repellents often mimic the smell of a predator, while taste-based products make the plant unpalatable.
For chemical repellents to remain effective, they require consistent reapplication, typically after heavy rain or every few weeks. They must also be applied to new growth as it emerges. Gardeners should rotate between different types of repellents, switching from scent-based to taste-based products. This rotation prevents deer from becoming accustomed to a single formula, maintaining the deterrent effect.
Deer Resistant Alternatives to Zinnias
For gardeners seeking vibrant, low-maintenance blooms with greater deer resistance, several alternatives share visual appeal with zinnias. Plants with strong scents, like lavender and Russian sage, are rarely browsed due to their intense aromas. Other flowers with unappealing textures or tastes, such as yarrow and coneflower (Echinacea), offer bright colors and are typically left alone.
Annuals like marigolds, known for their pungent smell and bitter foliage, are excellent choices to plant alongside or instead of zinnias. Salvia and snapdragons provide tall, colorful spikes and dense foliage that deer find unappetizing. Incorporating these naturally deer-resistant species helps create a layered defense, making the entire garden less attractive to foraging animals.