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Deer are not reliably deterred by mums’ strong scent and may eat them when other food becomes scarce in fall. Gardeners can try repellents, barriers and placing pots near the home, but no method described is guaranteed to work.
Deer may eat fall mums even though the flowers and foliage have a strong, bitter scent, according to a Country Living report featuring florist Christina Stembel. As deer prepare for winter and other vegetation dries back, freshly watered and fertilized mums can become an appealing food source, leaving gardeners with damaged blooms just as the plants are on display.
Stembel, founder and CEO of Farmgirl Flowers, said her experience is that deer will eat a wide range of plants, including ones marketed as deer-resistant. She described rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus as among the few plants she has found reliably left alone. That is her experience, not a guarantee that deer will avoid those plants in every garden.
The report says mums can offer deer tender leaves and buds with moisture and nutrients at a time when their usual food may be drying up or already eaten. Damage earlier in the growing season may leave hardy mums time to regrow, but deer eating buds in September or October can prevent a full display before frost. If a perennial mum’s roots remain healthy, Stembel advises cutting the plant back and mulching it for the following year.
Suggested deterrents include commercial sprays or granules, and homemade sprays using ingredients such as garlic and vinegar. Their effectiveness varies, and repellents may need reapplication every few days or after rain, following product directions. Stembel also suggests keeping potted mums close to the door, using a porch light, or protecting plants with chicken wire or netting. Motion-activated sprinklers may work briefly, she said, but deer can become accustomed to them.
Saving Mums Before Frost
For gardeners, the timing of browsing matters as much as the amount of damage. Late-season bud loss can remove the flowers people planted mums for, with little time for new growth before frost. Protecting plants early may help preserve their autumn display; protecting the roots of hardy mums can also give them a chance to return the next year.
The report does not identify a single dependable deterrent. Its practical takeaway is to treat repellents as an ongoing effort and consider physical barriers or moving pots nearer the home. These steps may reduce access, but results will depend on local deer and conditions.
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Why Autumn Mums Attract Deer
Mums are widely planted for their fall blooms, when many other plants are winding down. Their scent leads some gardeners to assume deer will avoid them, but Stembel cautions against relying on that assumption. She characterizes the idea of “deer-proof” plants as misleading and “deer-resistant” as uncertain, particularly when animals are hungry.
The source also notes that deer are not the only possible cause of damage. Groundhogs, voles and rabbits may eat mums; aphids, thrips, spider mites and slugs can also harm them. Squirrels and chipmunks may dig around plants while looking for places to store acorns. Identifying the kind of damage and animal involved can help gardeners choose a suitable response.
No Deterrent Is Guaranteed
The source provides no controlled tests or success rates for repellents, lights, sprinklers or barriers. How well each method works may vary by garden and deer behavior, and Stembel says deer can become used to odors or sprinklers. The report also does not establish which animal is responsible for damage in any particular garden, or whether a damaged mum will bloom again before frost.
Its recommendations are based largely on Stembel’s experience and general gardening guidance. Gardeners should not interpret “deer-resistant” as a promise that plants will be left untouched.
Steps Gardeners Can Take Now
Gardeners concerned about fall browsing can move potted mums nearer the house, apply a suitable repellent as directed and renew it after rain if the label calls for that. A wire cage or netting can provide a physical barrier around vulnerable plants. Those whose hardy mums have been browsed can check whether the roots are intact, then cut back and mulch the plants for winter.
There is no reported follow-up testing or new measure announced in the source. The immediate next step is to monitor plants for fresh damage and adjust protection based on what is happening in the garden.
Key Questions
Do deer eat mums?
Yes. According to the Country Living report, deer may eat mums, particularly when fall food is scarce. Their scent does not reliably protect the plants.
What can gardeners do to protect mums from deer?
Options described in the report include commercial or homemade repellents, physical barriers such as chicken wire or netting, and placing pots close to the home. None is presented as guaranteed.
Will a mum grow back after deer eat it?
A hardy perennial mum may return if its roots remain healthy. However, browsing in September or October may leave too little time for new buds to produce a full display before frost.
Do sprinklers or scented repellents always keep deer away?
No. Stembel says deer may become accustomed to repellents or motion-activated sprinklers. Product results vary, so follow label directions and consider using a physical barrier.
What other animals can damage mums?
The report lists groundhogs, voles and rabbits among animals that eat mums. It also mentions aphids, thrips, spider mites and slugs as pests that can cause damage.
Source: rss
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