| Is your Eugenia Monterey Bay Deer proof? I need to replace a hedge that the deer have destroyed. I need both sun & shade. I need Evergreen I would like drought resistant once established id available Is it psyllid proof? I would like to keep it from 7 feet high to 12 feet high What width is your choice? Sincerely, Harvey Rogers, master gardener |
| It's been my experience that a hungry deer will eat most any plant, so there really isn't any deer proof plant. They tend to avoid native plants and go for more delicate offerings - usually the most expensive plants in the garden! Native plants are generally drought-tolerant once established, and many are evergreen. It makes sense that if you're looking for plants that are both deer and drought tolerant, you should concentrate on native plants. Some suggestions for your gardening region include Arctostaphylos (manzanita), Myrica californica (Pacific wax myrtle), Calycanthus occidentalis (spice bush), and Ceanothus (wild lilac). A non-native suggestion that otherwise fits the drought-tolerant, evergreen, deer-resistant requirements is Viburnum. Eugenia may not be as attractive to deer as other types of shrubs, but deer seem to enjoy munching on my Eugenia! Hope these suggestions help you choose just the right shrubs for your hedge. |
