Gardeners often face the challenge of protecting their landscaping from browsing wildlife, leading to the search for plants that are less appealing to deer. While many common annuals and perennials are readily consumed by these herbivores, the relationship between deer and the daisy family is more complex than simple rejection or acceptance. Understanding why certain plants are avoided can help homeowners make informed planting decisions to mitigate potential damage.
Deer Preference for Common Daisy Varieties
Daisies, including popular varieties such as Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum) and Oxeye daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare), are generally classified as deer-resistant, not deer-proof. This distinction means that while they are not a preferred food source, browsing may still occur under certain conditions. The relative resistance of many daisies stems from their physical and chemical defenses. The foliage of many daisies possesses a texture that deer find unappealing, often being coarse or slightly fuzzy, which is less palatable than smooth, succulent leaves. Furthermore, some varieties, like Painted Daisies (Tanacetum coccineum), contain plant secondary metabolites that impart a strong, bitter taste or pungent aroma.
These chemical compounds, which can include certain volatile organic compounds like terpenes, act as a deterrent by signaling a low nutritional reward or a potential digestive cost before the plant is even ingested. Shasta daisies, specifically, are often rated by agricultural extensions as being “Occasionally Severely Damaged,” indicating they are vulnerable if other options are scarce. The effectiveness of this resistance is therefore relative to the availability of more desirable forage in the immediate environment.
Situational Variables Affecting Foraging Behavior
While a daisy’s natural properties deter browsing, external circumstances can override a deer’s typical food preferences. Extreme environmental conditions, such as severe drought or deep, persistent snow cover, limit the availability of preferred forage, forcing deer to eat less palatable plants for survival. During these periods of high nutritional stress, a deer’s threshold for taste and texture decreases significantly. High population density in a local area can also lead to increased browsing pressure on all available vegetation, including typically resistant plants like daisies. A young or inexperienced deer may also be more likely to sample a wider variety of plants, including those with known defensive traits. The presence of preferred food sources nearby will generally draw a deer’s attention away from daisies, but scarcity will reverse this behavior.
Practical Methods for Protecting Garden Plants
Homeowners can implement several measures to protect their plants, moving beyond reliance on a daisy’s inherent resistance.
Physical Barriers
Physical barriers provide the most reliable form of protection, especially for high-value plantings. Since deer are capable jumpers, permanent fencing should be at least eight feet tall to completely prevent access, though temporary netting or low, angled fences can deter them from small areas.
Chemical Deterrents
Chemical deterrents can be applied directly to plants to discourage browsing, working either through scent or taste. Scent-based repellents mimic the smell of predators or other unpleasant odors to frighten deer away from an area. Taste-based products, such as those containing capsaicin or rotten egg solids, make the foliage unpalatable upon sampling. To prevent deer from becoming accustomed to a single product, it is recommended to alternate between different types of repellents every few weeks.
Companion Planting
Companion planting involves strategically placing highly aromatic or toxic plants near more vulnerable species to mask their scent and deter browsing. Strongly scented perennial herbs like lavender, sage, or garlic can be interplanted with daisies to create an olfactory barrier that disrupts a deer’s foraging.