Are there any plants that deer *don't* eat?
If a deer is really hungry, everything seems to be eligible for nibbling. During years of very deep snow, we have found evidence that they can actually dig through the snow to eat coral bells, a deer delicacy, apparently.
Under normal conditions, the following list of plants are ones thought to be less than tasty. By planting these, you will decrease the attraction, unless they get very hungry.
Trees: beech, alder, birch and dogwood
Shrubs: lilac, aronia, boxwood, quince, winterberry and cotoneaster
Perennials: lavender, rue, switch grass, viola, yarrow, pachysandra.
Other Questions...
Is there anything to keep the japanese beetles from eating my roses other than those ugly beetle traps?
Emerging in late spring from their grub stage, Japanese beetles are a destructive and unrelenting pest in gardens. They are particularly fond of roses, eating leaves, buds and blooms. A white marigold we grew one year was never white because the insects swarmed all over it. White flowers, generally, including dahlias and cosmos, seem preferred. By observation, you know the plants your beetle population prefers.
Picking off by hand is a safe and effective method, but time-consuming. In the early morning and early evening, it will be a fruitful pursuit. Drop them into a jar of soapy water. There are non-toxic products available that work well, too. Check in your local garden center.
Are beetle traps a good choice for control of japanese beetles?
The traps work wonders, but if they are used incorrectly, can cause a population increase. If you reside in a dense neighborhood, get lots of people to use them, or don’t use them at all. If you reside in an open area, place traps along the perimeter, away from the gardens and consult with your neighbor
How can you prevent powdery mildew on perennials?
Powdery mildew results from excessive moisture, either from rain or prolonged humidity. This excessive moisture provides the ideal growing conditions for various organisms called fungi.
You can keep ahead of it with products such as Safer Fungicidal Soap. A homemade version that is quite effective calls for mixing a solution of 1 tbsps of Baking Soda to 2 qts. water. Spray preventatively. Sulfur powder dissolved in water is also effective. Removing several shoots of the plant in spring will allow better air circulation and help reduce the chance of infection.
Slugs are nocturnal creatures that stay safely hidden away in a dark, cool, damp place during the day. Rarely will you see them in your garden except in the early morning hours. It is during the night that they come out to eat and their food of choice is often hosta. Some people like to use pelletized or liquid snail bait, finding them very effective. Others use traps, baited with beer, to catch them. It is also possible to surround the plant with a barrier created from coarse stone or crushed rock. Slugs do not like to take their soft bodies across rough terrain. So they will find other things to eat - instead of your prized ‘Frances Williams'.