Deer Proof Garden

The ninth Designer Bed installation is 'Deer Proof Garden' by Katie's Garden's Mandy Jablonski, of Kier's Garden Garden Design.

"Is there such a thing as a Deer Proof garden? Clearly this depends on the setting and how adventurous and daring the local deer are.

It is not always either desirable or possible to have a tall fence to keep out the local deer. It is best instead to grow plants they are less likely to eat.

This garden therefore has been designed with recommended deer proof plants in mind. It has a focal point of Ribes King Edward VII underplanted with colourful primulas. This central area is then linked to three separated obelisks by three narrow gravel paths with the rest of the plot covered in bark.

The obelisks add height and are planted with deer proof climbers, Lonicera, Kerria and Clematis. The terracotta pots add a different element to the design as well as highlighting individual plants of two Phormiums and a Cornus.

Shrubs such as Euphorbia, Choisya and Broom provide evergreen structure and symmetry and the barked area is underplanted with Vinca, Nepeta, Thalictrum, Hellebores, Ajuja and Pulmonaria, all recommended Deer Proof plants and all chosen for their different heights and textures."

The design has a very uncrowded feel, with each plant given the chance to shine.

As much of the ground is covered in either stones or bark, a weed-suppressing liner was placed over the soil, and planting holes cut where required.

The garden was installed in March 2024, with earliest flowers coming from Vinca periwinkle, Pulmonaria lungwort, wall shrub Kerria and a colourful selection of Polyanthus.

Planting for the garden was chosen to provide a succession of colour from spring to midsummer, with the baton passing on to Cytisus broom, Ribes flowering currant and Clematis montana, and then on to Nepeta catnip, Monarda bee balm and Thalictrum meadow rue.

To find more suggestions for plants less likely to be eaten by deers visit our Advice page and scroll down for the Deer-Proof Plants lists. You might also manage to deter deer from your favourite plants by putting a bar of soap in an old pair of tights and hanging it at their head height - the fragrance should put them off!