Landscaping With Deer Resistant Plants
Landscaping in Austin can be fun, but also quite challenging. The unique setting of Austin blends the urban city with the Hill Country of Central Texas. This mix gives the Austin landscape a look and feel unlike any other part of Texas.
With wildlife and people living together, it is common to see deer in neighborhoods all around Austin. The deer can really give headaches to the novice landscaper. When landscaping in Austin, it is important to know the different types of shrubs and perennials you can use to make your yard beautiful and keep the deer from munching on your new plantings. Remember, the plants mentioned are usually deer resistant, but deer will eat almost any plant if hungry in extreme drought conditions.
Every landscape should have the right mix of evergreen shrubs and flowering perennials. This way, your garden doesn't look dead in the winter and will provide color in the spring, summer and fall. Here are a couple of plants that I have had success with while landscaping in Austin.
- Silver Germander
- Pineapple Guava
- Dwarf Yaupon
- Cotoneaster
- Upright and Trailing Rosemary
- Bicolor and African Iris
- Jerusalem Sage
Flowering Perennials:
- Salvia species (Several varieties and colors to choose from--I like 'Hot Lips', Mexican Bush Sage and Salvia Greggii)
- Indigo Spires
- 4 Nerve Daisy
- Copper Canyon Daisy
- Turk's Cap
- Bat Face Cuphea
- Yellow Bell
These shrubs and perennials will vary in height and texture, so be sure to plant in the right location. For example, you don't want to plant a Pineapple Guava in front of a window or an Upright Rosemary too close to a sidewalk--allow for adequate growth. If not, the plants will overwhelm the space and crowd your garden.
By planning ahead and before you begin landscaping in Austin, you will save valuable time, money AND keep deer from eating your plants! Best of luck and happy gardening.
Landscaping With Deer Resistant Plants
