I wrote a blog post in May 2017, about Catmint, and that I planted several of these blue flowering mints. I have been enjoying the plants ever since. The deer have not eaten it, and it is flowering beautifully all summer. It is a keeper! The winter will be another test to see if the plants are still thriving next spring.

Catmint - a new plant to try

I just purchased 2 new Catmint plants. These plants are purported to be effective against Deer.

This is a review I found. It seems that deer detest this pretty blue flower.

Catmint is a super-hardy perennial that’s not only deer resistant but drought resistant as well. It’s a standout in containers, beds, or borders. Cut it back hard after that first flush of brilliant purple flowers, and you’ll be rewarded with another bloom before the end of the season.

Blacktail Doe Hunting

I know that I complain about the dozens of Elk that trample across our farm. The deer are a different story...there are very few... This summer I have consistently seen just 2 does and 2 fawns. That is all!  Now, a neighbor next door has gotten doe tags, and has killed 2 deer in the last few days. Now....I am concerned that they have killed 3 deer this fall. Exactly where do they think future deer come from? I think that the deer population is doomed. Well, maybe my deck plants will do better next summer.

I am not anti-hunting, in fact hubby just shot one wild turkey out of a large flock of 20+, but sometimes I just wonder about my neighbors.

BTW, my daughter is improving fairly quickly and should be out of the hospital soon.

Deer Alarm or Driveway Alarm? Both!!!

Blacktail Deer eat most anything.

Driveway/ Deer Alarm

My Hubby came up with a possible way to deal with the deer. A wireless driveway alarm! We have been using it for a month, and are happy with the system. The only drawback is that a person must be at home to scare away the deer. We put the transmitter on the side of our home facing the tree and perennial flower plantings where the deer are very problematic (eating everything) and the receiver indoors. The alarm sounds indoors when something large passes by outside. It works for about 150 feet from the unit. It is drying up here and the deer come to areas where there is tasty food. This time off year we will leave it on all the time, deer will come in to our plants day and night. 

Lavender is Blooming!

My lavender plants are starting to bloom. I do not have a field of lavender like this photo. I have about 10 plants. Deer do not eat lavender, it grows well, and dries well. I love the fragrance and color. I recommend this plant for anyone who has deer problems. Deer hate it.

Vintage Bicycle Planter

via Pinterest.com

 It is fun to get creative, and put some interesting items in the landscape. I have so much trouble with the Deer and Elk eating everything they can possibly reach.  I look for and use old rusty stuff, and an old bicycle around the front of the house. That way...when the plants are eaten to stubs...there are fun and interesting things to look at. This summer I will use an old bicycle and tricycle with some faux foliage/flowers when the real foliage/flowers are eaten. 


BTW, Hubby purchased a wireless driveway alarm. We are going to use it to let us know when the wildlife are out front...foraging and destroying the plants. The idea is that we will know when to go out and chase them off. I hope that it works. Or...I could get some of the horrible smelling Liquid Deer Fence, I know that it works. (If you can stand the odor.)

African Daisy - A Deer Resistant Flower

I highly recommend African Daisy for a beautiful flower that deer do not eat. I have lived with ravenous deer for 14 summers...and have found that they will eat almost anything except herbs. I tried these on my patio...that is frequented by hungry deer, and I found that they might eat a small bite, and find the taste terrible...and leave them alone. I purchased some smallish plants yesterday, and will be growing them once again. They grow well into 12" plants, and will soon fill a container. There are many colors of flowers available.


I plant them into containers on the patio. I feed Miracle-Grow to keep them growing well with many, many, blooms. It is important to keep the flowers deadheaded. I understand that they will reseed in the SW...maybe become a problem for some growers. They are too tender to make it through an Oregon winter.