If you’ve ever planted a beautiful cluster of chrysanthemums, only to find them nibbled down to stems, you’ve probably asked: do deer eat mums? Gardeners often wonder if these popular fall flowers are safe from hungry wildlife. The short answer is, unfortunately, yes. While not their absolute favorite food, deer will absolutely eat mums, especially when their preferred snacks are scarce. Let’s look at why this happens and what you can do about it.
Deer are opportunistic feeders. This means they eat a wide variety of plants to get the nutrients they need. In spring and summer, they have plenty of lush, native greenery to choose from. But as fall arrives and food becomes less abundant, your well-tended garden starts to look like a buffet. Mums, with their tender shoots and blooms, become a tempting target.
Do Deer Eat Mums
Understanding deer behavior is the first step to protecting your garden. Deer don’t have upper incisors, so they tear and pull at plants, leaving a ragged, shredded look on leaves and stems. If you see clean, angled cuts, that’s likely from insects or rabbits. A deer’s visit is more destructive, often leaving broken stems and trampled plants in there path.
Why Deer Target Chrysanthemums
Several factors make your mums appealing to deer.
* Availability: In many suburban and rural areas, deer populations are high and natural habitats are shrinking. Your garden is an easy food source.
* Seasonal Hunger: Mums peak in late summer and fall, a time when many natural food sources are drying up or going dormant.
* Taste and Texture: Young mum growth is particularly tender and moist, which deer find palatable. Some varieties may be less tasty, but a hungry deer won’t be picky.
* Water Content: Plants like mums can provide moisture, which is an added benefit for deer.
Are Some Mums More Deer-Resistant?
It’s important to note that no plant is 100% deer-proof. When deer are hungry enough, they’ll eat almost anything. However, some gardeners report that certain mum varieties with stronger fragrances or more bitter tastes suffer less damage. These include types with single flowers or those with very pungent foliage. But this is not a guarantee, just a slight deterrent.
Practical Steps to Protect Your Mums from Deer
You don’t have to surrender your garden to the local deer herd. A layered approach using several methods is often the most effective strategy. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
1. Start with Physical Barriers.
This is the most reliable method. If deer can’t reach the plants, they can’t eat them.
* Fencing: A tall fence is the best solution. Deer are excellent jumpers, so a fence needs to be at least 8 feet high. For smaller gardens, consider two layers of fencing or angled fencing.
* Individual Plant Cages: For a few prized mums, use wire cages or cylinders of hardware cloth placed around each plant.
* Netting: Bird netting draped over stakes can provide a temporary barrier, though determined deer may get tangled or push through.
2. Use Effective Repellents.
Repellents work by making plants taste bad or smell threatening to deer. You must rotate types, as deer can become accustomed to them.
* Contact Repellents: These are sprayed directly on the plants and make them taste awful. Reapply after heavy rain or every few weeks.
* Area Repellents: These use strong smells (like eggs, garlic, or predator urine) to create a zone of fear. Place them around the garden perimeter.
* Homemade Sprays: Mixtures of hot sauce, garlic, and soap can be somewhat effective and are inexpensive to make.
3. Plant Strategically.
Use companion planting to your advantage.
* Surround with Deer-Resistant Plants: Plant your mums among perennials and shrubs that deer strongly dislike, such as lavender, sage, Russian sage, or ornamental grasses. This can help hide and protect them.
* Use Fragrant Herbs: Deer dislike strong aromas. Planting herbs like rosemary, thyme, or mint around your garden edges might help.
4. Employ Sensory Deterrents.
Scare deer away by appealing to their skittish nature.
* Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These startle deer with a sudden burst of water and sound. They are highly effective for many gardeners.
* Lights and Noise: Solar-powered blinking lights or wind chimes can sometimes deter deer, but they may also become used to them over time.
Creating a Long-Term Deer-Resistant Garden Plan
If deer are a constant issue in your area, it’s wise to plan your entire garden with them in mind. This doesn’t mean you can’t have mums, but it means placing them carefully.
Focus on filling your garden beds with plants deer typically avoid. Reserve the most protected spots—closest to the house, inside fenced areas, or in raised containers on patios—for your most vulnerable plants like mums, hostas, and daylilies. This strategic planning saves you money and frustration in the long run.
Remember, consistency is key. Deer are creatures of habit. If you let your guard down in the fall, just when your mums are blooming, that’s when they’ll strike. A combination of barriers and repellents, applied regularly, offers the best chance for success. Its a battle of wits, but you can win.
What to Do If Deer Already Ate Your Mums
Don’t panic if you find damaged plants. Mums are relatively tough.
1. Assess the Damage: If the stems are broken but not completely severed, you can sometimes tape them with floral tape or a small splint.
2. Clean Up: Trim away any badly shredded or broken stems with clean pruners. Make cuts just above a set of leaves.
3. Water and Feed: Give the plant a good drink and a light application of balanced fertilizer to encourage new growth.
4. Be Patient: The plant may send out new lateral shoots, though it might not flower again that season. It should come back fine the following spring.
FAQ: Answering Common Questions on Deer and Mums
Q: Do rabbits eat mums too?
A: Yes, rabbits will also eat mums, especially young, tender plants. The damage from rabbits looks like clean, sharp cuts, unlike the ragged tears from deer. You may need protection from both.
Q: Are there any flowers deer will never eat?
A: No. There is no such thing as a completely deer-proof plant. Deer eating habits vary by region, season, and local population pressure. So-called “deer-resistant” plants are just less preferred.
Q: Will coffee grounds keep deer away from my mums?
A: While coffee grounds are a popular home remedy, their effectiveness is limited and temporary. The strong smell may deter deer for a short while, but it’s not a reliable solution on its own.
Q: Do deer eat mums in pots?
A: Absolutely. Potted mums on a porch or patio are often more vulnerable because they are at a perfect height for deer to browse. Consider moving pots to a protected area at night or using repellents.
Q: What time of day are deer most likely to eat my plants?
A: Deer are most active at dawn and dusk. However, in areas with low human activity or high hunger pressure, they may feed at any time, even in broad daylight.
Protecting your mums from deer requires vigilance and a mix of tactics. By understanding that deer do eat mums and taking proactive steps, you can greatly increase your chances of enjoying their full, colorful display each autumn. Start with a strong barrier if possible, support it with repellents, and design your garden smartly. Your efforts will be rewarded with a beautiful, intact garden that you can truly enjoy.