Viewing post #1643938 by dana

Steve812 said:Nice list, Dana. I think it is wise to start planting inside a fenced area where the number of visits by deer and rabbits is low. Both deer and rabbits are very fond of the new growth on roses, especially the purplish new growth one observes on certain hybrid teas and their close relatives.

I think Amanda may be onto something. I observe that roses with a strong link to multiflora and wichuriana roses tend to be judged less desireable by deer than are HT roses.. Pink Pet (aka Caldwell Pink) seems almost immune to browsing by deer, javelina, or rabbits. Several roses in Drift series are closely related to multiflora roses through the polyanthas, namely The Fairy. Several others have a good deal of wichuriana heritage. So there is a good reason to believe that roses in the series would have some resistance to browsing.

BTW, thanks for mentioning the Drift series, Amanda. I have not been paying it enough attention.

so far the bunnies in my yard have an affinity for my Cecil brunner. but i never looked into what ones they prefer that is interesting. they have tasted the drift that I have in the back but really left much of the plant. the drifts are near a high traffic area so that could be why. They have only sampled my newly planted ones so I just have to get through the first 2 years. The deer are random. we live in a subdivision thats near lots of woods but every now and then they are out in the neighborhood eating all the plants. I really love the shape of the drifts. the woman who lived here before planted strawberries all in the flowerbeds to draw the bunnies to the yard. i guess there are all kinds of gardeners lol. I'm having to undo every gardening decision she has made haha. plus there is a hedge of houtinia that the bunnies hide in ugg. That will be my last feat, getting rid of the houtineia?spelling. Ill have to thing of something less appetizing for near the mail box