“Is Dianthus deer resistant?” is a good question if you’re trying to keep deer away from your property. Dianthus is one of the top five most widespread genus of flowering plants worldwide.
Besides being gorgeous flowers, the best thing about them is that they repel deer. See more about why deers are not fond of this plant in this article.
Contents
Is Dianthus a Deer Resistant Plant?
Dianthus is a deer resistant plant genus made up of several species. All Dianthus plants are known to keep deer and several other animals at bay. This plant’s scent, taste, and texture are distasteful to deer, and they typically don’t come near it.
– Why Deer Dislike Dianthus
Deer do not like Dianthus plants because of their smell, texture, and taste. This plant blooms from spring to early summer every year and produces bright pink and purple flowers. The sweet smell of these flowers is not acceptable to deer at all. It has been noticed that deer do not enter a lawn during springtime if dianthus is in bloom there.
Deer also dislike the fuzzy texture of Dianthus leaves. Try touching a deer with the leaves of this plant, and you will see how they react. When these leaves are mixed with others and given to deer, they refuse to eat them.
It is worth mentioning that although most Dianthus species are deer-resistant perennials, they are not 100 percent deer-proof. When nothing else is available, and if a deer is starving, it will eat this plant for food. The good news is that dianthus is neither toxic nor poisonous to deer, unlike most other deer-resistant plants.
What Are Some Popular Deer-Resistant Varieties of Dianthus?
Some popular deer-resistant Dianthus varieties are carnation, caryophyllene, black-eyed Susan, and barbarous. Chinensis is a type of Dianthus from China and Korea that does not grow well in warm temperatures. All these varieties are resistant to deer and produce gorgeous flowers.
Dianthus is a perennial genus containing several perennial species. Some dianthus species are both annual and short-lived perennials. Very few Dianthus species are non-perennials and live for a maximum of two years. Perennials are plants that keep growing back after frost each spring.
– Dianthus Caryophyllus
This plant species is more commonly known by its other name, carnations. Carnations are no doubt one of the most beloved plants all over the world. You can safely plant and grow them at home without worrying about deer coming to eat them. Nowadays, it is possible to get carnations of literally any color or color combination, but they look best in shades of pink, red, purple, and white.
– Dianthus Barbatus
This Dianthus species is more adorably known as the sweet william plant and is extremely popular. It’s an ornamental species that produces distinguished-looking and vibrantly red flowers. These flowers have serrated edges and bloom in heavy clusters. These flowers produce a sweet scent that attracts bees and butterflies but repels deers away.
– Dianthus Chinensis
This particular variety of dianthus is native to China, Korea, and Northern Mongolia. That is why it is often sold under the name of chinese pinks dianthus. These cannot be grown in warm regions, unlike most other Dianthuses.
The flowers produced by this variety are strikingly different from your average Dianthus flower. Their petals are spiked and narrow and often come in two colors. Despite being different, they are still unacceptable to deer and rabbits as a potential food source.
– Dianthus Devon Cream
This unique variety of dianthus produces the most elegant blooms from summer to fall. The flowers are cream-colored with accents of lemony yellows, pale peaches, and light roses on the edges.
Their long bloom period means your house and lawn will smell heavenly for several months. It also entails that you do not need to worry about deer entering the yard during this period.
How To Save Dianthus From Being Eaten by Deer
You can save dianthus from being eaten by a hungry deer by using deer repellent sprays. For a long-term approach, a fence can be built around the lawn, or you can train dogs to scare the deer away should they approach.
– Build a Fence Around the Lawn
While dianthus does repel deer away, they are not 100 percent deer-proof. Sometimes, these animals that visit the lawn at night are so hungry that they will attack any possible source of food, no matter how unpleasant.
If you are facing any such problem regularly, it is best to build a tall enough fence around the yard so the deer cannot jump in. Building a wall out of deer-repellent shrubs like boxwood or lavender would be even more effective.
– Use Deer Repellent Sprays
If you live someplace where deer attacks on the lawn at night are a constant problem, then sprays are excellent options. Deers have a sharp sense of smell and are repelled by almost any strong scent. Countless options are available in the home and gardening department stores and online, and you can pick any of them.
Even a lavender air freshener sprayed generously around the lawn will make them run in the opposite direction. Sprays have to be reapplied almost every other night to stay effective. You must not forget to reapply the spray, especially after it has rained.
– Use Motion Sensing Devices
Usually, it is just enough to plant dianthus or another deer-repelling plant to keep these animals out. Modern technology is available for installation to deter deer and other animals from entering the garden.
One such system is the motion-detecting sprinklers that you can turn on at night as you sleep. If deer or any other animal enters the yard, the sprinkler will activate and direct a stream of water in its direction.
– Train Your Dog Well
If you own a pet dog, you can train it to bark at deer and rabbits visiting the lawn at night. Dogs are naturally very good at sensing when outsiders come into their territory. Your garden will be secure at night if you just spend some time training it.
What Plant Types Are Deer-Resistant Other Than Dianthus?
Plant types that are deer-resistant besides dianthus include Monarda, Coreopsis, lavender, and Rosemary. All these plants are known for their strong-scented blooms that are intolerable to the sensitive deer nostrils. Some of them also have bitter leaves that also deter deer.
– Bee Balm Plant
This plant is also known as Monarda and produces a powerful scent that is a mixture of mint and orange. That is why deer are repelled by it and will not enter a lawn where this plant is present. It also attracts all sorts of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. The balm plant occasionally produces red, purple, or white flowers in spring and fall.
– Coreopsis Plant
The answer to the famous question ‘Is coreopsis deer resistant?‘ is yes. This plant is also known as the tickseed plant and is one of the most deer-resistant plant types. The coreopsis flowers are a classic yellow, although some hybrid varieties produce bi-color blooms.
– Lavender Plant
Lavender has been used for decades to keep deer away from other plants. This plant is well-known for both its silvery-green foliage and its purple blossoms. An evergreen shrub, it produces spikes of flowers in the early spring.
– Rosemary
Just like lavender, rosemary is another evergreen shrub that produces strong-smelling flowers. Naturally, these flowers and the bitter leaves serve as a strong deterrent against deer. Even a handful of rosemary flowers or herbs thrown around the periphery of a lawn will keep deer out for good.
– Boxwood Plant
Boxwood shrubs also fall under the category of plants deers can’t stand the smell of. These shrubs make excellent hedges when planted around the lawn in a neat little row. In summer, it also blooms pink, purple, or white flowers briefly.
FAQs
– Is Dianthus Also Rabbit Resistant?
Yes, Dianthus is also a rabbit-resistant genus of plant. Rabbits and most other herbivores avoid eating this plant because its leaves and flowers are bitter. They also do not like the strong spicy-sweet smell produced by Dianthus flowers in the early spring and summer seasons.
Conclusion
In short, Deer do not eat dianthus and will not even go near it. This makes them a clever and natural deterrent against these annoying animals.
- Deers have a powerful sense of smell and do not like the scent produced by Dianthus flowers.
- Deer cannot eat the leaves or flowers of this plant because of their bitter taste and fuzzy texture.
- If a deer is starving and no other plant is available, it might eat this one.
- If, for some reason, deer do attack this plant, you can build a fence or use motion-sensing devices to scare them away.
We are hoping that this comprehensive guide has helped you understand the deer-repelling properties of the Dianthus species.
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