#deer-resistant

Recently planted ferns on the Temple of Love.  Because the Temple of Love is not fenced against deer, we try to plant deer-resistant plants but each planting is still an experiment in how tasty an individual plant will be to the many resident deer.  

Those of you who garden in areas with deer will recognize the damage to plants in these photos.  The top photo is a rose that was planted this summer.  After the most recent snow storm a deer wandered into the Walled Garden and browsed the new growth.  As this intrusion came after the snow, we could track it around the garden and see how much it ate in such a small amount of time.  In addition to this rose, it browsed five others, several hydrangeas, an azalea or two and a few other plants.  

The photo of the Y-shaped branch is from the westernmost of Untermyer's Color Gardens.  These areas are not yet planted largely because there is currently no way to exclude the deer.  The damaged branch is from a Silverbells tree (Halesia tetraptera, I think) that was cleared of vines and undergrowth this year.  The last picture is near where Untermyer's floral sundial once stood.

You'll get non-stop delivery from this evergreen perennial, season after season.  The Lenten Rose Helleborus orientalis blooms in late winter before anything else, and has the energy and resistance to stand up to late frosts.  Bloom season is January through March, and even the faded, nodding flowers are beautiful at the end of the cycle.

It's best to choose plants when they are blooming so you can pick "true colors" that are best for your garden palette. Nurseries tend to stock plants only when they are blooming, so a visit to the local nursery will reveal the color choices for this perennial.