The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Do deer eat hydrangeas?
Unfortunately for your garden, yes.
Deer love snacking on hydrangea blooms and leaves, as they are soft and filled with moisture.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
While deer might love them for noshing, gardeners love all varieties of hydrangeas as classic garden shrubs.
So, how do we balance the desires of humans and deer?
Here’s what you oughta know about protecting your prized hydrangeas from hungry deer.
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Are Hydrangeas Deer-Resistant?
Sadly, there are no hydrangeas that arecompletely deer-resistant.
Deer prefer tender plants filled with moisture, and hydrangeas fit that description perfectly.
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Until they become very hungry, deer typically skip these hydrangea varieties in favor of more succulent varieties.
Keep Deer Away
Each of these cultivars was rated as “only occasionally damaged” by deer.
If the deer population is large, it is almost impossible to prevent deer from eating hydrangeas.
Hydrangeas that are less succulent or have fuzzy leaves are the best choices to prevent deer damage.
Deer avoid strong-smelling plants and those with tough, thorny textures.
Protecting Plants from Deer.University of Minnesota Extension.
Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance.
