Safeguarding Your Beach Morning Glories from Hungry Deer

With their vibrant flowers and ability to thrive in sandy coastal environments, beach morning glory vines are a favorite for many gardeners However, these beautiful plants can attract unwanted grazing from deer Learning how to properly protect beach morning glories from deer damage is essential for any gardener in deer-prone areas. In this article, we’ll explore deer behavior and biology as it relates to landscaping, and provide effective deer deterrents to keep beach morning glories safe.

Understanding Deer Behavior

To successfully deter deer you must understand what attracts them to landscapes and gardens.

• Deer forage for woody vegetation and herbaceous plants like beach morning glories to eat. They especially enjoy young, tender growth.

• Ornamental plants in suburban gardens often provide tempting, easy deer food sources.

• Deer feeding peaks in early morning late afternoon, and at night when deer feel safest.

• Drought conditions push deer into landscapes to consume moisture-rich plants.

• In snowy winters, deer rely more on ornamental plants for food.

Knowing these deer behavioral patterns allows you to anticipate and prevent damage.

Physical Barriers for Beach Morning Glories

Physical barriers that block deer access provide the best protection for vulnerable beach morning glories:

• Fencing – 8 foot or taller woven wire or solid wood fences keep deer out. Lower, slanted fences can also deter deer.

• Netting – Draping bird netting over plants creates an uncomfortable barrier for deer. Stake down firmly.

• Row Covers – Fabric row covers allow air and light in but form a protective barrier. Drape over plants and secure edges.

• Trunk Wraps – For young morning glories, wrap hardware cloth or plastic tree guards around lower trunks to prevent rubbing/antler damage.

Scent & Taste Repellents

Deer have an excellent sense of smell and taste. Leverage this by applying repellents they dislike:

• Human hair, urine, or blood meal scattered near plants

• Bars or flakes of strongly scented soap

• Sprays made with rotten eggs, hot peppers, garlic, or essential oils like cinnamon, lemongrass, lavender or clove oil. Reapply after rain.

• Granular commercial repellents with solid fats, capsaicin or egg solids that stick to foliage. Apply around plants.

Scare Tactics & Deterrents

Startling deer with diverse scare tactics and deterrents helps discourage browsing:

• Motion-activated sprinklers and lights

• Hanging shiny ribbons, wind chimes, aluminum pans, or old CDs that move and reflect light

• Using deer repellent sprays with bitrex or ammonia, which have strong odors

• Allowing family dogs access to guard garden areas

• Applying milky spore disease in problem browsing areas to make deer ill

Landscape Planning For Deer Resistance

When planning your landscape, choose plants naturally less appealing to deer:

• Unpalatable herbs like lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, dill, and parsley

• Scented geraniums, catmint, and agastache

• Prickly plants like barberry, boxwood, roses, and yucca

• Bulbs that deer dislike including daffodil, crocus, hyacinth

Let these deer-resistant plants surround vulnerable beach morning glories. Avoid highly attractive deer favorites like tulips, impatiens, and hostas near beach morning glories.

With an integrated approach using multiple deterrents tailored to your local deer pressures, you can successfully safeguard beach morning glories. Don’t let deer devastate your prized coastal vines. Implement these smart protection strategies and keep your beach morning glories thriving and deer-free!