Our greenhouse and potting shed garden is blooming again- and it makes me a bit giddy to wander out there in the mornings and afternoons in the dappled sunshine. From a few random new foxgloves to wildflowers to the peonies and new garden roses- they are blooming beautifully.
Today, I am sharing a closer look at the roses we planted and how they look first bloom of the season- and a tip on keeping the deer from eating them.
The weather has been crazy -we had a late freeze & hail storm that took out a lot of the peony buds and blooms. So while we have green on the wisteria now – we didn’t get the blooms this year. It is a tad cool weather wise yet- and there is beauty popping up as flowers grow and the foundation plants are filling in.
You might remember the rose garden area we planted in spring with All Dressed Up Roses. Last year was the first year planting anything in this area. It does tend to get hot here so some sun protection is on the to-do list- and we added 6 more of these roses here this spring- so far they are not too happy yet but will keep you posted.
Just look at these beauties in bloom! If you aren’t familiar with these roses- we found them online at Home Depot this spring- and when they arrived- they already had very chunky stalk size – in comparison with some of the other garden roses we have planted that were more ‘wispy’ in structure.
Climbing roses are treasured for their ability to cover walls, trellises, and arbors with cascading waves of colorful, fragrant blooms. But these vining beauties attract more than just admiring glances – they also entice foraging deer. If you’ve ever faced the heartbreak of finding your climbing roses stripped bare overnight, you’re not alone. Deer relish both the flowers and foliage of these vines.
As a passionate rose gardener, I’ve dealt with deer nibbling on my prized David Austin and hybrid tea roses. But the damage they inflict on climbing varieties seems especially devastating since these roses are showstoppers when blooming fully. After researching and testing solutions, here’s what I’ve learned about protecting climbing roses from ravenous deer.
Do Deer Specifically Target Climbing Roses?
Deer don’t discriminate – they will gladly feast on any type of rose. Certain species like Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) and older shrub varieties tend to be less tempting, but no rose is completely deer proof. Deer are drawn to the tender new growth and soft blooms that climbing roses produce abundantly.
Since climbing roses are trained to spread out they also provide more access for deer to nibble. The vining structure gives deer easy reach to flowers both low and high. So these roses do seem to sustain more damage simply due to their growth habit.
Signs Your Climbers Have Been Hit
How do you know if deer have been feasting on your prized climbing roses overnight? Watch for these telltale signs of damage:
- Stripped leaves, buds and branches with ragged edges
- Missing or partially eaten flower blooms
- Twigs and stems snapped as deer try to reach further
- Shredded and browsed shoots low on the plant
- New growth or entire young plants eaten
Deer tend to nibble lightly at first then become bolder and consume more plant material over time. So early prevention is key before major devastation occurs.
Protecting Your Climbing Roses
If deer frequent your area, don’t wait until after planting climbing roses to consider protection. Take these proactive steps:
Choose Deer-Resistant Varieties
Some types of climbing roses are naturally less palatable to deer. Rugosa hybrids like Blanc Double de Coubert are recommended, as are very thorny roses like Zephirine Drouhin. Opt for fragrant old roses over modern breeds.
Use Repellents
Spraying climbing roses with organic repellents containing putrescent egg solids, garlic, or capsaicin (the chemical in hot peppers) can deter deer from browsing. Reapply frequently.
Add Deterrents
Place bars of strongly scented soap, bags of human hair, or natural predators’ hair (like dogs’ or coyotes’) in mesh bags among your climbing roses. Deer dislike the smell.
Use Fencing
Install tall fencing around your climbing roses or entire garden. A 7-8 foot tall woven wire or wood fence anchored into the ground works best to keep deer from jumping in.
Scare Them Away
Use motion-activated sprinklers, lighting, or noise-making devices to startle deer and make them avoid the area. Just be aware deer can become accustomed to them over time.
Let Dogs Patrol
Allowing dogs access to your garden keeps most deer away, provided the dogs are active and vocal. Their presence and scent deters deer from entering.
Apply Taste Deterrents
Spraying a foul-tasting but non-toxic liquid onto plants makes deer associate an unpleasant flavor with browsing your roses. Reapply frequently as desired.
Protecting New Growth
Take extra steps to safeguard newly planted climbing rose bushes, as these are most vulnerable. Here are some tips:
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Cover new plants with plastic tree guards or wire cages to prevent deer from eating growth. Remove once plants mature.
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Place each new climber inside a larger wire cage and anchor into the ground. This gives a buffer of space so deer can’t reach the plant.
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Wrap lower 2-3 feet of plant with protective tape, pipe insulation, or aluminum foil to block access.
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Stake tall vertical posts on either side of plant and run twine back and forth to create a grid that blocks deer from squeezing in.
Repairing Damage
If your climbing roses do suffer damage, promptly prune any broken canes or stems damaged by deer. Remove the browsed parts back to healthy wood. Apply a natural fungicide to cut areas to prevent disease.
Water and fertilize lightly to help regrowth. But don’t over-fertilize, as this can stress the plant further. Give climbing roses time to recover their strength before expecting blooms the next season.
Stay Vigilant Against Deer Damage
While no rose is totally deer proof, you can take steps to safeguard your climbing roses from becoming an all-you-can-eat deer buffet. Take a proactive approach by fencing, using deterrents, and choosing more resistant varieties. Check plants daily for damage and be prepared to take action at the first signs of deer browsing.
With persistence and diligence, you can continue growing beautiful climbing rose plants even in deer prone areas. Don’t let Bambi bully your roses – fight back and protect those glorious blooms using humane methods for deterring deer.
Deer Damage to Rose Bushes
I have heard it said that deer look at roses like many of us do fine chocolates. Deer will eat the buds, blooms, foliage, and even the thorny canes of rose bushes. They are especially fond of the new, tender growth where the thorns are not so sharp and firm yet.
Deer usually do their browsing damage at night and occasionally you may see deer eating roses during the day. According to published information, each deer eats, on average, 5 to 15 pounds (2.5 to 7 kg.) of plant material taken from shrubs and trees each day. When we consider that deer generally live and feed in herds, they can do an astounding amount of damage to our gardens, roses included, in a short amount of time.
Where I live in Northern Colorado, I cannot count the times I have gotten phone calls from fellow rose-loving gardeners in total despair about the loss of their entire rose beds! There is little one can do once their roses have been munched on by the hungry deer except prune down what is left of the damaged canes. Also, pruning out the broken canes and sealing all the cut ends may help.
Watering the rose bushes with a water and Super Thrive mix will go a long way in helping the roses recover from the major stress of such an attack. Super Thrive is not a fertilizer; it is a product that provides essential nutrients to the bushes at a time of great need.
Do not apply large amounts of fertilizer, as the roses need some time to recover. The same is true after a hail storm or other like events that cause significant damage to rose bushes.
Potting Shed Garden Roses
In the new potting shed area- last year we planted 18 new roses in between the peonies and foxgloves. My husband really loved me while digging all those holes haha. This year- we added more roses, foxgloves and peonies- and placed them all in wire baskets because of the gophers. 12 of the roses are The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild from David Austin Roses and 6 more of the Earth Angel from Heirloom Roses. We added white icebergs this year as well. See more about the Gopher Issue Here.
The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild roses are dainty roses so far- kind of like a climbing rose bloom. But this is just the first set of blooms that are now coming on so I imagine that will change as they grow in.
And they have a whole lot of ruffles! They are said to look much like peonies- which I think they may as they grow. They also have an old fashioned center- which reminds me of rambler roses.
Full of drying foxgloves, sages and lavenders starting to bloom again and some wildflowers that are blooming. Last year we didn’t get the usual flush of wild sweet peas- but this year they are already climbing the fence and starting to bloom. With all of the tree damage we had from that storm- the garden and yard are looking a bit different this year. Seeing those 200′ tall trees on the ground is sad- there are several that are laying in the yard yet. With so many that came down during the storm- the tree removal folks are far backed up with all the work.
I love to plant things like sage, lavender, rosemary, lambs ear, catmint & other herb foundation type plants. Along with the later bloomers like the roses, butterfly bush and wildflowers. Currently, we have yarrow & hollyhocks and Allium in bloom in some areas- echinacea, foxgloves, etc. in others.
And we also have quite a few hydrangeas in bloom that I am ready to clip and bring indoors- along with some of those pretty purple roses.
Top 7 Deer Resistant Perennials!
FAQ
What kind of roses will deer not eat?
- Swamp rose (Rosa palustris)
- Virginia rose (R. virginiana)
- Pasture rose (R. Carolina)
What plant do deer hate most?
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Proven Winnershttps://www.provenwinners.com4 Kinds of Plants Deer Avoid | Proven WinnersSome plants with fuzzy foliage that deer typically avoid include: heartleaf brunnera (Brunnera), lungwort (Pulmonaria), lamb’s ear (Stachys), deadnettle (Lamium…
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YouTube · S&K Greenhousehttps://www.youtube.comTop 7 Deer Resistant Perennials! – YouTubeJun 15, 2023 — let’s go the first one on our list is Catmint or Nepetta. this is a very fuzzy fragrant foliage that deers absolutely detest this variety in particu…
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Garden Designhttps://www.gardendesign.com22 Deer Resistant Plants & Flowers (+ Deer-Proofing Tips) | Garden DesignAll varieties of marigolds are a turnoff for deer because of their strong, pungent scent. … Learn more about growing marigolds. … Learn more about growing l…
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Homes and Gardenshttps://www.homesandgardens.comDeer resistant plants – 20 flowers and shrubs that deer hateJul 9, 2024 — 6. Russian sage. … This perennial herb is highly drought-tolerant and deer to not like to nibble on it owing to its scent and taste. It produces a …
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YouTube · Proven Winnershttps://www.youtube.comShopping for Deer Resistant PlantsFeb 1, 2025 — some people say it’s 1,000 times better than a human’s. so those centa lilocks you think smell. so nice are pretty stinky to a deer. they have no int…
Do deer eat clematis?
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Deer Resistance:Clematis is generally considered a deer-resistant plant due to its less palatable nature and strong growth habit, according to Spring Hill Nursery.
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Young Plants:While mature clematis is less appealing to deer, young plants can be vulnerable, especially if other food sources are scarce, says Deer Solution.
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Protection:To protect young clematis, consider using barriers like chicken wire or wrapping the stems with a large soda bottle to deter deer from browsing, according to hummingbirdfarm.net.
What is a deer’s favorite flower to eat?
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Deer also enjoy daylilies, along with other plants like lilies, coral bells, and petunias, according to Quora.
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Wildflowers:Deer enjoy a variety of wildflowers, such as Goldenrod and Aster, which are part of their natural diet.
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Shrubs and Trees:They also have a fondness for dogwood, viburnum, elderberry, and hawthorn, along with various briars.
Do deer eat climbing roses?
Deer are attracted to the tender new growth and soft blooms that climbing roses produce in abundance. Since climbing roses are trained to spread out, they also provide more access for deer to munch. The vining structure gives deer easy access to flowers both low and high.
Are roses attractive to deer?
Roses, with over three hundred species, are a perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa. They range from miniature shrubs to sprawling climbers. Deer are attracted to well watered, well fertilized plants with a lot of tender growth, including roses.
Are climbing roses deer proof?
Various species like Rosa rugosa (rugosa rose) and older shrub types tend to be less appealing but no rose is totally deer proof. Deer are attracted to the tender new growth and soft blooms that climbing roses produce in abundance. Since climbing roses are trained to spread out, they also provide more access for deer to munch.
Do deer eat rose thorns?
Deer are less likely to eat the greenery of a rose bush if it has thorns. However, if they are hungry enough, they will try their best to eat as much as they can even if that means eating or getting scraped by the thorns. If you find a particular variety of roses that has longer and/or sharper thorns, it is best to plant that one.
Do deer eat Rugosa roses?
The most notable example is the rugosa roses, which are notable for their strong clove scent. Deer find the clove scent to be extremely unpleasant and are unlikely to approach this plant. Additionally, their leaves tend to be tough and leathery.
Why do deer eat rose petals?
Attraction through the senses: Rose petals and leaves might also be appealing to deer because of how they feel. Deer might find it easier and more fun to eat the soft, often velvety petals and tender new shoots than harder, wilder leaves. 7. Nutritional Needs: Because deer are ruminants, they need a variety of foods to stay healthy.