Do Deer Eat Impatiens Flowers?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Deer often target impatiens

(Impatiens spp.), and they have been known to cause severe damage to these beautiful flowering annuals. … Plant flowers that deer tend to dislike near the impatiens such as the annual floss flower (Ageratum houstonianum) or the herb mint (Mentha spp., USDA zones 4 to 9).

What annuals will deer not eat?

Heat-loving annuals that deer tend to ignore include

lantana

, Cosmos sulphureus, angel's trumpet (Brugmansia) and summer snapdragon (Angelonia). with milky sap, like Diamond Frost-type euphorbia (Euphorbia graminea), are ones deer dislike, as are annuals with strong odors, like marigolds.

What flowers will deer not bother?


Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies

are common flowers with a toxicity that deer avoid. Deer also tend to turn their noses up at fragrant plants with strong scents. Herbs such as sages, ornamental salvias, and lavender, as well as flowers like peonies and bearded irises, are just “stinky” to deer.

What kind of animal eats impatiens?

Impatiens, visually popular garden flowers, sometimes become food for

rabbits

, which can ruin a season's worth of hard work in just a few minutes. Impatiens are known as rabbit-resistant plants, but rabbits nevertheless sometimes eat the delicate flowers' petals and leaves.

Do impatiens come back year after year?

A:

Impatiens do indeed come back from their own seed each year

. You'll realize with experience that the seedlings don't begin blooming until late May, which is why most folks plant blooming, nursery-grown impatiens plants in April. To get yearly re-seeding, leave the bed alone after winter kills the plants.

Do coffee grounds keep deer away?

Deer have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. While

there is no scientific evidence that coffee grounds will deter deer

, the bitter smell of spent coffee grounds may signal to deer that humans are nearby and keep them away from your property.

Do deer like hydrangeas?

In general,

hydrangeas are definitely not a favorite for deer

. However, we would never consider hydrangeas deer resistant or deer proof. Taking additional measures to prevent deer from eating your beautiful shrubs doesn't require a lot of work, and shouldn't prevent you from trying to grow hydrangeas in your garden.

Do marigolds keep deer away?


All varieties of marigolds are a turnoff for deer because of their strong, pungent scent

. However, signet marigolds (pictured) have a lighter citrusy smell and flavor, making them popular for culinary use.

Do deer like geraniums?

Geraniums

are not a deer's flower of choice

, but they will eat them under a number of circumstances. The strong fragrance and slightly fuzzy texture will typically deter deer, but not always.

Do deer eat daylilies?


Herbaceous plants deer

generally eat include crocus, dahlias, daylilies, hostas, impatiens, phlox, and trillium. Some refer to the flowers of lilies and tulips as deer bon-bon candies. Some trees generally resistant to deer include spruce, pines, honey locust, river birch, and buckeyes.

Will squirrels eat impatiens?

Impatiens (Impatiens spp.) are one of the most popular bedding plants around — the colorful flowers grow well in the shade — but they are not bulb plants, and

they are not a favorite food of squirrels

.

Do deer eat petunias and geraniums?

Unfortunately, petunias are not deer resistant. As with any other succulent,

deer will spot your petunias

and immediately choose to devour them.

Do impatiens spread?

Producing a rainbow of blossom colors, impatiens plants (Impatiens wallerana) commonly flower in summer and autumn.

They do not spread like grass or strawberry plants

, but they form bushy mounds with an aggressive seeding habit.

Are impatiens poisonous to dogs?

This easy-care annual grows about 1 to 2 feet tall. Flower colors are white, pink, red and shades of purple. The plant is

deer-resistant and toxic to horses, cats and dogs

.

Do impatiens last all summer?

Impatiens plants are great bedding and container flowers that ought to

bloom reliably all summer long

. They're an old standby for bright, full color. That's why it can be especially frustrating if your plants stop blooming or never even start.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.