Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Sunday - May 06, 2007
From: Colton, OR
Region: Northwest
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Deer-resistant native plants for Oregon
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have 21 acres of timber property in Oregon. We are converting part of that property to residential and I would like to plant wild flowers. I want to make sure I only plants native to Oregon and wondered if you had any suggestions. Also, I would like some plants that are not likely to be eaten by deer as we have many deer in our areaANSWER:
Please realize that few, if any, plants can be called deer-proof. If the deer are having trouble finding their preferred plants, they will often eat plants that normally they wouldn't find palatable. Oregon State University Extension Service has a list of Deer-resistant Ornamental Plants, but you should be aware that many on the list are not native.That said, here are some recommended plants native to Clackamas County, Oregon that are deer-resistant.
Aconitum columbianum (Columbian monkshood)
Aquilegia formosa (western columbine)
Oxalis oregana (redwood-sorrel)
Delphinium glaucum (Sierra larkspur) and Delphinium nuttallianum (twolobe larkspur)
Lupinus polyphyllus (bigleaf lupine), Lupinus latifolius (broadleaf lupine) and Lupinus bicolor (miniature lupine)
Trillium ovatum (Pacific trillium)
Plants in the Family Lamiaceae (Mint Family) are generally avoided by deer. The following are members of that family that are native to Clackamas County:
Stachys chamissonis (coastal hedgenettle)
Prunella vulgaris (common selfheal)
Scutellaria galericulata (marsh skullcap)
Monardella odoratissima (mountain monardella)
Here are a few other good candidates from the Family Asteraceae (Aster Family):
Senecio integerrimus (lambstongue ragwort) and Senecio triangularis (arrowleaf ragwort)
Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) and Solidago simplex (Mt. Albert goldenrod)
You could experiment with other species that you commonly see in your area in abundance. Chances are the deer either don't much care for them or they produce so many plants the deer can't decimate them.
More Deer Resistant Questions
Deer resistant plants for area under grand fir (Abies grandis) in Idaho
July 08, 2010 - What can I plant on a slope under Grand Fir trees in North Idaho, zone 4 - anything deer resistant?
view the full question and answer
Barrier Planting in Boston
January 29, 2013 - I live in the Boston area and a school is being built right behind my property. The school kindly left me a 100' barrier that includes some 40' high pines, a couple of tall oaks and some spindly po...
view the full question and answer
Leaves being eaten off columbines
May 30, 2011 - Hi,
We recently planted some columbines and they have been doing quite well. Just today, we noticed that something has eaten all the leaves off a couple of the plants. Several that are planted clo...
view the full question and answer
Deer Resistant and Drought Tolerant Pink-Flowering Shrub for Austin, TX
April 15, 2013 - Is there a pink-flowering bush that is deer resistant and drought tolerant that would do well in Austin, TX? If not pink flowering, any color of a flowering bush is fine.
view the full question and answer
Perennial plants native to northeastern Pennsylvania
May 12, 2005 - What perennial plants are native to northeastern Pennsylvania?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |