Gardeners in areas with high deer populations often struggle to maintain their landscaping, as deer view many popular shrubs and flowers as an open buffet. The choice of plant material becomes significant in determining the success of a yard, forcing homeowners to prioritize species that are naturally unappetizing to browsing wildlife. Boxwood (Buxus spp.) is a heavily relied-upon, broadleaf evergreen that provides year-round structure and is frequently used for hedges and formal gardens.
Boxwood’s Palatability to Deer
The question of whether deer consume boxwood is answered by observing their feeding patterns in the wild and residential areas. Boxwood is consistently rated by agricultural extensions as “Rarely Damaged,” placing it in the highest tier of deer resistance among common landscape plants. Deer tend to avoid this shrub almost entirely, making it one of the most reliable options for preventing browsing damage in highly pressured environments. This strong aversion means that in normal conditions, where other palatable forage is available, deer will pass over boxwood entirely.
The Chemical Deterrent: Why Boxwood is Unappetizing
The primary reason deer avoid boxwood is the presence of unpalatable chemical compounds found throughout the plant’s foliage. These compounds belong to a class of naturally occurring substances known as alkaloids, which are distasteful to most herbivores.
The alkaloids give the leaves a very bitter taste and a distinct, sharp odor that deer find highly offensive. This strong, unpleasant scent acts as a natural repellent, signaling to the deer that the plant is not suitable for consumption. The common English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), in particular, is known for this characteristic smell.
Beyond the chemical deterrents, the physical texture of the boxwood foliage also plays a role in its resistance. The leaves are small, tough, and leathery, which makes them physically difficult for deer to chew and digest. This combination of strong odor, bitter taste, and tough leaf structure ensures the shrub is rejected as a food source.
Factors That Override Deer Resistance
While boxwood is highly resistant, no plant is completely deer-proof. Deer browsing behavior is primarily driven by necessity and hunger, not just preference.
In extreme environmental conditions, such as severe winter weather or prolonged drought, preferred food sources become scarce, forcing deer to resort to less palatable plants for survival. This desperation can override their natural aversion to the taste and odor of boxwood. High deer population density can also deplete natural forage quickly, forcing the animals to sample plants they would normally ignore.
Younger boxwood plants or new flushes of spring growth are slightly more vulnerable than mature, established foliage. The new growth is more tender and has not yet fully developed the high concentration of alkaloids or the tough, waxy coating of older leaves. Curious young deer may also sample a resistant plant out of inexperience, though they rarely consume more than a single bite.
Protecting Your Landscape from Deer Damage
Even with resistant plantings like boxwood, managing deer pressure requires a multi-faceted approach to safeguard the entire landscape. One of the most effective long-term strategies involves the use of physical barriers. A permanent fence should be at least eight feet high to prevent deer from jumping over it.
For individual or young plants, using deer netting or a woven-wire cylinder can create a temporary exclusion zone until the plant is mature. This is particularly helpful in the fall and winter, which are periods of high browsing pressure.
Using Repellents
Repellents offer another layer of protection, working primarily through taste or scent to deter feeding.
- Scent-based repellents often contain ingredients like dried blood, garlic, or predator urine to make the area smell unpleasant to the deer.
- Taste-based products, such as those containing capsaicin (hot pepper), are applied directly to the foliage to make the plant unappetizing if sampled.
- Repellents must be reapplied frequently, especially after heavy rain or new plant growth, to maintain their effectiveness.
- Rotating between different types of repellents can prevent deer from becoming accustomed to a single product’s scent or taste.
Strategic planting involves placing more vulnerable, highly-preferred plants closer to the house or mixing them with strongly scented resistant species to create a sacrificial barrier.