Do Deer Eat Asiatic Lilies

If you’re a gardener, you’ve probably asked yourself, ‘do deer eat asiatic lilies?’ The answer, unfortunately, is a resounding yes. These beautiful plants are like candy to deer, and protecting them is a common challenge. This guide will give you clear, practical strategies to keep your garden safe.

Deer absolutely love Asiatic lilies. They are a preferred food source, especially in spring and summer when the plants are lush and tender. Deer will eat the entire plant—stems, leaves, and most frustratingly, the flower buds. This can leave you with bare stalks and no blooms for the season.

Understanding why deer target them is the first step. The lilies are nutritious, palatable, and often easily accessible in garden beds. If deer are in your area, they will likely find your lilies.

Why Deer Find Your Lilies Irresistable

Several factors make your garden a target. Deer have specific preferences driven by survival.

Taste and Nutrition: The foliage and bulbs are tender and packed with nutrients deer seek, especially after lean winter months.
Availability: Cultivated lilies are often planted in groups, creating an easy, abundant meal.
Water Content: The plants have high moisture content, which provides hydration.
Lack of Natural Deterrents: Unlike some plants, lilies lack strong scents, thorns, or bitter tastes that deter wildlife naturally.

Signs Deer Have Been in Your Garden

It’s important to confirm the culprit. Deer damage looks distinct from rabbit or insect damage.

Clean, angled cuts on stems and leaves, as deer tear plants with there teeth.
Missing flower buds and blooms are a classic sign.
Hoof prints in soft soil around the garden bed.
Tall plants eaten from the top down, as deer can reach several feet high.

Most Effective Deer Deterrent Strategies

A single method rarely works forever. Deer adapt. The best approach is a layered one, combining different tactics.

1. Physical Barriers (The Most Reliable Method)

Fencing is the most effective long-term solution. It creates a physical block that deer cannot easily bypass.

Perimeter Fencing: A fence should be at least 8 feet tall. Deer are excellent jumpers. Slanted or double-layer fences can be even more effective.
Individual Plant Protection: Use wire cages or cylindrical mesh guards around individual lily clumps. This is cost-effective for smaller gardens.
Netting: Bird netting staked over beds can provide a temporary barrier, though it’s less visually appealing.

2. Repellents: Scent, Taste, and Motion

Repellents make your plants taste bad, smell threatening, or create fear. You must rotate products to prevent deer from getting used to them.

Scent-Based Repellents: These use smells like rotten eggs, garlic, or predator urine. Apply them regularly, especially after rain.
Taste-Based Repellents: Sprays containing bitrex or hot pepper wax make plants unpalatable. Always follow the label instructions for application.
Motion-Activated Devices: Sprinklers, lights, or noisemakers that activate when deer approach can scare them away. They work well but can be triggered by pets or wind.

3. Strategic Garden Planning

You can design your garden to be less inviting. This involves plant placement and selection.

Plant in Protected Areas: Place lilies close to the house, near patios, or in fenced courtyards where deer are less likely to venture.
Use Deer-Resistant Companions: Surround your lilies with plants deer strongly dislike, such as lavender, sage, daffodils, or Russian sage. This can create a protective buffer.

Step-by-Step Plan to Protect New Lily Plantings

Follow these steps when you plant new Asiatic lily bulbs to give them the best chance.

Choose the Location Wisely: Pick a spot as close to human activity as possible, away from woodland edges.
Prepare the Soil: Amend the soil with compost as you normally would for good lily growth.
Plant the Bulbs: Plant at the correct depth, usually about three times the height of the bulb.
Install Protection Immediately: Place a wire cage over the planting area right after covering the bulbs with soil. Don’t wait for shoots to appear.
Apply a Repellent: Spray the area with a taste-based repellent as an extra layer of security.
Monitor and Reapply: Check the cage stability and reapply repellent every few weeks or after heavy rainfall.

What to Do After Deer Eat Your Lilies

If deer have already damaged your plants, don’t despair. Lilies are often resilient.

Assess the Damage: If the stem is broken but some leaves remain, the bulb may survive to send up leaves next year, though it might not flower.
Clean Up: Trim away badly damaged stems to prevent disease.
Fertilize Gently: Apply a balanced fertilizer to help the bulb recover energy for the next growing season.
Implement Protection Now: Immediately put up barriers or apply repellents to protect any remaining growth and prevent a second visit.

Common Myths About Deer and Lilies

Let’s clear up some misinformation that circulates among gardeners.

Myth: “Deer won’t eat lilies if they have other food.” Truth: Deer have varied diets and will still sample preferred plants like lilies even when other food is available.
Myth: “Irish Spring soap is a foolproof deterrent.” Truth: Its effectiveness is highly variable and temporary. Some deer may even ignore it completely.
Myth: “Once they eat it, they won’t come back.” Truth: If they enjoyed the meal, they are very likely to return, often with the rest of the herd.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Will deer eat Asiatic lily bulbs?

Yes, deer will dig up and eat the bulbs, especially in fall or when other food is scarce. Bulbs are a starchy food source for them.

Are any lilies safe from deer?

No lily is truly deer-proof, but some, like the Canada lily, are reported to be less prefered. However, in times of hunger, deer will eat almost any plant.

Do deer eat daylilies as well?

Yes, deer frequently eat daylilies (Hemerocallis). They are just as vulnerable as Asiatic lilies, if not more so because they are so common.

What is the cheapest way to protect lilies from deer?

A homemade spray of eggs and water or hot sauce and water can be a low-cost deterrent. However, its requires frequent reapplication and isn’t as reliable as physical barriers.

Do ultrasonic devices work against deer?

Evidence is mixed. Deer may habituate to the sound, and the devices can affect pets and other wildlife. They are best used in combination with other methods.

Protecting your Asiatic lilies from deer requires persistence and a smart strategy. By combining physical barriers, timely repellents, and thoughtful garden design, you can greatly increase your chances of enjoying their spectacular summer blooms. Start with the most robust method you can, like fencing, and add other layers as needed. Your efforts will be rewarded with a vibrant, intact garden.