Read about the Deer Resistant Tubers, Bulbs, and Corms in this informative guide and grow them in your garden.
If you reside in a deer-populated region and want to fill your garden with flower bulbs that deer tend to avoid, check out the selection of Deer-Resistant Tubers, Bulbs, and Corms that thrive during early spring bloom and offer both beauty and protection.
What Bulbs Are Deer Resistant?
Bulbs, rhizomes, tubers, and corms are geophytes; these plants grow underground. People often plant them to make their gardens look colorful. Tulips are a popular choice, but if deer come to your garden, be careful! They love to eat tulips.
To keep deer away, it’s better to plant bulbs that deer don’t like to eat. Instead of tulips, try planting some of the bulbs listed below.
Deer Resistant Summer Bulbs
Allium and Eremus were mentioned earlier as bulbs that deer tend to avoid, and they can be planted in either summer or fall. However, many other bulbs that deer don’t like to eat can add color to your garden during the summer.
Plants like Agapanthus, begonia, caladium, gladiolus, iris, peony, and poker plants are all those deer don’t usually eat. Additionally, you can consider adding blazing star, bleeding heart, canna lily, crocosmia, cranesbill, fumewort, winter aconite, and wood sorrel to your garden, as they are also not favored by deer.
Deer Resistant Spring Bulbs
Spring bulbs are planted in the fall to bloom in the spring. While tulips might attract deer, there are many other bulbs that deer tend to avoid. For colorful spring blooms without inviting deer to a buffet, consider planting daffodils, hyacinths, bluebells, Fritillaria, Star of Bethlehem, Leucojum (also known as summer snowflake), and Colchicum.
Additionally, Allium and Eremus are deer-resistant options that can be planted in either summer or fall for beautiful blooms.
Planting Bulbs that are Deer Resistant
Before buying or planting bulbs, consider what will work best in your garden. Some bulbs require space to spread out, and almost all of them prefer rich, well-draining soil. Instead of sticking to just one kind of bulb, mix it up with different varieties that bloom at different times. This way, you’ll have flowers popping up throughout the season.
Another tip is to mix in some deer-resistant plants among your bulbs. This can help keep deer away from your garden, as they’ll be more likely to munch on other plants they prefer.