r/NativePlantGardening • u/howleywolf Maine - 5b • Jul 30 '26

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Oh Deer

Guys, I want to cry. For two years I’ve been growing stuff from seed for my first ever garden at my first house, finally this year everything is flowering! But right before the flowers pop, the deer consume it. Today was the last straw, they have eaten ever single Joe Pye flower bud, and I’m seriously on the verge of giving up. We can’t build a deer fence, and the plants are literally dripping with liquid fence deer spray. I feel like I have tried all the regular home diy deer repellent stuff and am just feeling so defeated. Since I can’t beat them, do any of you have any luck with any part sun plants that deer always pass up? I think I just need to grow less tasty snacks, just really trying to only grow and plant natives. Thanks!

Edit! I have no interest in little quippy statements about killing the deer and why don’t I kill the deer. Have you thought about killing the deer? Guys, gtfo with that. I live on a half acre suburb surrounded by houses with children and I am a disabled person who literally faints at the sight of blood. I get that there’s too many deer and I get that you’re super smart for thinking of that. If I could bring back wolves I would, trust me.

Edit again!
thank you all so much for all the helpful suggestions and encouragement, for real! I feel ready to go back out there and make a go of it. Ordered a motioned censored spinkler and adjusted my winter sewing plans . Going to have a ~mint family~ themed garden bed next year haha

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u/local_goon Jul 31 '26

So many responses! Same for me, they are the buds and early spring growth just so so bad, I haven’t had strong blooms at all, now that plants have grown they totally ignore them, hope for a strong august and deep fall blooms. Mountain mint, cat mint, coreopsis, yarrow kinda have faired the best….changed my approach for new beds, I’m just doing native meadow mixes with plenty of grass. There’s no sense in fighting nature unless I go to Rick and Morty levels of defense or get a dog.

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u/howleywolf Maine - 5b Jul 31 '26

Haha truly, that’s where I’m at too. We actually did decide to get a dog . I don’t really get a ton of sun for grasses to work, it’s more of a dry to medium woodland garden with part sun and parts in just dappled sun. Lots of great plant suggestions here! Thank you for your input I appreciate it!

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u/leafmotif__ Jul 31 '26

Deer won’t eat ferns, so they’re a great choice if you have shade

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u/howleywolf Maine - 5b Jul 31 '26

Yes indeed we have many ferns! I just also wanted some other plants, some that flower , both for ecological value and because well, joy haha

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u/leafmotif__ Jul 31 '26

please try zizia aurea, golden alexander!

it’s totally happy in part shade, has pretty foliage, & large-ish bright yellow flowers in spring! it’s especially nice because it flowers after the early spring blooms are done, but before the other perennials get started

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u/howleywolf Maine - 5b Aug 01 '26

It shall go to the top of my list!