The Garden Herbs that Deer Will Leave Alone

If you’d like to create an herb garden with plants that aren’t favorites to the deer community, here are a few great selections to start off with. According to the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences these garden herbs are all tasty and used in a wide variety of recipes; however they aren’t frequently browsed by deer. These may be great additions into your other gardens as filler plants to help keep deer out of them as well.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

This fragrant annual herb is from the mint family of plants. It grows 2 to 3 feet high with green opposite leaves and white or purple flowers in whorls around the stems. It can smell lemony, anise, or cinnamon, along with other scents. Basil grows well in full sun or partial shade. It needs a well-drained soil. Propagate by seed.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

This annual is fragrant and attracts butterflies. It is a member of the carrot family of plants. It is fragrant, annual, and attractive to butterflies. It has feathery edible leaves and small yellow flowers in its second summer. Leaves are bright green. Parsley grows in full or partial sunlight and should be propagated by seed.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

A perennial fragrant shrub, it is a member of the mint family of plants. Oregano has oval leaves and tube-like purple flowers. The fuzzy leaves are what is used for the kitchen seasoning. It needs to grow in full sun, with a well drained non-acidic soil. Propagate by seed, cuttings, or root divisions.

Sweet Marjoram (Origanum marjorana)

A member of the mint family of plants, sweet marjoram is fragrant and bushy. It has gray-green leaves that are oval and fuzzy, sitting opposite on the stem. There are tiny flowers that are in burr-like heads. It prefers to grow in well-drained soil and full to almost full sunlight. Propagate by seed or by cuttings.

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)

A member of the mint family of plants, rosemary is a fragrant evergreen shrub that is drought tolerant. It has gray bark and needle-like leaves that are scented. It grows up to 6 feet high with pale blue flowers in clusters. Blooms occur winter and spring. There is a variety with pink flowers. Plant rosemary in well-drained soil with full sun lighting. Propagate by cuttings or by seed.

Related Articles:

Houseplants That Clean Air

Vines That Can Be Grown Indoors

Things You Should Do in January to Your Houseplants

Sources:

University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Floridata: Basil
Floridata: Oregano
Floridata: Parsley
Floridata: Sweet Marjoram
Floridata: Rosemary


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