Deer are beautiful creatures, but they can also be very troublesome if they start eating your garden, orchard, or your favorite flowers.

There’s nothing worse than planting your favorite hydrangea bush only to find out the deer love them as much as you do! 

Deer are a big problem for gardeners and hydrangeas. They eat your plants, flowers and trees if you don’t do anything to stop them. 

So what can we do to solve this problem?

There are many human solutions that can help you get rid of deer in your garden. And that’s what we have for you today.

We’ll share what you can do about this so your garden remains intact and pretty much like you planned it.

What Are Hydrangeas? 

Hydrangeas are flowering plants with 75 species that are native to the Americas and Asia. The species diversity is greatest in eastern Asia, which includes

• Japan, 
• China, 
• and Korea. 

These plants are popular in gardens, landscapes, and floral arrangements. The hydrangea truly stands out due to its bloom colours: They come in a variety of colours, including:

• Blue, 
• Green, 
• Purple, 
• Red, 
• White, 
• Yellow, 
• Brown, 
• Burgundy, 
• Lilac.

Many cultivars will bloom in both summer and fall. They are hardy in Zones three to nine, and prefer partial shade. Although they are thirsty plants, they are easy to care for.

When planting hydrangeas, you should choose the appropriate species for your climate and location. Bigleaf and Oakleaf varieties will thrive in colder zones, while Smooth and Panicle varieties will thrive in warmer ones.

Smooth hydrangeas, also known as snowballs, grow to about 15 feet tall. French Hydrangea, which thrives in cold climates, is another popular choice. 

Why Do Deer Eat Hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas are a favorite snack of deer. While deer do not like to eat plants with bristles or thorns, they are attracted to smooth-skinned varieties. They also enjoy hydrangeas because they are hardy and they can eat them right down to the stump.

Deer are known to eat flowers and other plants. They have a keen sense of smell, and they can detect the scent of flowers from up to a mile away. Deer also like eating the leaves of plants, which is why they often come into contact with gardens.

In order to stop them from eating your plants, you should keep your garden as scentless as possible. You can do this by covering it in mulch or by planting plants that deer don’t like, such as garlic or onion.

Can Hydrangeas Grow Anywhere?

While you can plant hydrangeas anywhere, they prefer to be planted in decorative containers. This is one way to discourage deer from nibbling on your hydrangeas. And a great option if you live in an area where deer are a problem.

To make sure your hydrangeas grow as healthy as possible, you need to make sure they receive regular water. This is especially important if you don’t get much rain in a week. Hydrangeas like moist soil and should be watered every day to prevent the soil from becoming dry.

There are several different types of hydrangeas, with each one having a unique flower form and a different soil requirement. For example, the Japanese native, Hydrangea macrophylla, will not grow well in dry soil. Other varieties, such as Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’, are more suitable for a dry garden.

Hydrangeas can be grown in containers, which are great for landscaping jobs. They can be placed along walls, on patios, and even on roofs. Despite their colorful blooms, they need a lot more water, so you should make sure to water them properly.

Are There Any Deer-Resistant Hydrangea Varieties?

There are several ways to deter deer from nibbling on hydrangeas. You can surround your hydrangeas with other plants, such as Hostas, to keep them out of your yard. Another way is to place deer-repellent scents near your hydrangeas. These scents will discourage deer from eating them.

Deer-resistant hydrangeas generally have smaller flowers and blooms that don’t project over the leaves. They also tend to have a foul taste that makes them unappealing for hungry deer. If you are concerned about deer damaging your hydrangeas, consider planting deer-resistant varieties such as:

• Big-leaf Hydrangea,
• Oak-leaf Hydrangea,
• and Annabelle Hydrangea.

Unfortunately, most hydrangeas aren’t deer-resistant. Despite what you may read, deer will still eat your hydrangea unless it is deer-resistant. In some cases, the leaves of deer-resistant hydrangeas will even be damaged by deer. In these cases, you should use deer repellent or install a barrier to protect your hydrangeas from deer.

Which Other Animals Eat Hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas are popular with gardeners. When food is scarce, deer will eat almost anything, from garden ornamental plants to edible flowers. This includes hydrangeas, which are flowering shrubs with large, colorful blossoms. While deer may not eat entire hydrangeas, they will eat young shoots and leaves.

Aside from deer, squirrels are also known to eat hydrangeas. They prefer flower heads to leaves, and their weight may bend parts of the bush. Chipmunks, on the other hand, prefer foliage. Their damage usually involves gnawing at roots or digging under plants.

Deer do not hibernate, so they are usually hungry in the spring. They love the flowers and the new growth of hydrangeas. They are especially fond of the new growth, which contains sugars and is considered a delicacy to them.

What Plants Do Deer Not Eat?

Plants that are not loved by deer include those with strong smells or those with a prickly texture. For instance, deer don’t like the fragrance of bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis). Astilbes, which are prickly, are also deer-resistant. You can also try Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’, which attracts butterflies.

Other effective deer-resistant plants include onions, leeks, mint, parsley, and dill. Daffodils are also good deer repellents. They have star-shaped blooms and contain an alkaloid called lycorine that deer do not like.

How Do I Protect My Hydrangea From Deers?

There are several different ways to protect your plants from deer. One way is by using a deer fence.

These fences can be made out of metal, wood or wire mesh. You can also use electric fences which send out an electric current that will keep the deer away from your plants and flowers.

Another way you can keep deer out of your garden is with a repellent. You can use a spray or rubber band to keep deer away from your plants.

You can use a physical barrier as your best bet to keep deer away and stop them ruining hydrangeas. 

There are a variety of deer-proof fence options available at your local hardware store or online. These types of fences are often shaped like a “L” and placed around the base of the plant. They are surprisingly effective in keeping deer away, but can be expensive to buy.

Deer can cause major damage to new hydrangeas. Luckily, they don’t damage older hydrangeas as much. In addition to a fence, you can also use a homemade deer repellent to keep them away. This type of deer repellent is non-toxic and won’t damage your plants. 

Final Thoughts

While deer are the most common culprit behind hydrangeas’ reduction in size, other animals such as squirrels and chipmunks can also cause the loss of these beautiful flowers. These small mammals are attracted to hydrangeas because they offer abundant greenery in the garden, and because their flowers are loaded with pollen and nutritious nectar. As shrubs, hydrangeas also provide a safe hiding place for small animals.

If deer are persistent enough, they can cause significant damage in a short amount of time. If the plant is healthy, it may recover. If not, it may not survive the damage. The recovery time of a hydrangea plant is dependent on its overall health.

You can keep deer away by planting deer-resistant shrubs in and around your hydrangeas. Another solution is using perfumed soap to ward off the animals. 

Now you have a better idea of what to do about your undesired visitors, who seek out your hydrangeas and spoil your hard work in the garden. Deer are special animals that belong in the woods, their natural habitat. We hope these tips and suggestions will help you live harmoniously with deer, all the while appreciating their beauty. Thanks for reading.