I am always amazed at what different garden books list as deer proof. Deer in your neck of the woods may eat plants that the deer in mine reach over to get to something else, and vice versa. I've tried to keep track each year by noting the conditions, dates and which plants were on their menu.
Last year a garden center recommended a product they discovered kept deer away from their tulips. It is called Milorganite and intended for turf building. I sprinkled it around any plants deer ate in previous years and it seemed to work. I also used Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent spray (ugh, it stinks). Both need to be administered when rain is not forecast. I topped up the Milorganite after a week or two as it disintegrated with regular watering. If I saw deer near-by, I added more. Liquid Fence has directions for when to use. I use both because I have rabbits and chipmunks that like to eat plant roots.
Tonight I went to let our dog out and found a herd of 7-8 deer in the yard checking out what's on this year's menu. Time to get sprinkling and spraying!
