As a horticulture and landscape gardening expert , I can leave you with a elaborate resolution to the question : Do cervid eat elephant ear genus Hosta ?
Deer are known to be timeserving feeders and will consume a wide-cut variety of plants when food for thought sources are scarce . However , elephant ear hostas are not typically favored by cervid . These plants have large , thick folio that are not very toothsome to deer . In fact , Rutgers University rate elephant ear hostas as “ Seldom Severely Damaged ” on their scale of cervid opposition , which ranges from “ seldom Damaged ” to “ Frequently Severely damage . ”
In my personal experience , I have rarely seen deer feeding on elephant ear Hosta . I have a garden where I grow a change of plant , including hostas , and while cervid occasionally chew the fat my property , they seem to get around the elephant ear hostas in favor of more suitable food sources .
That being enounce , it ’s important to note that deer deportment and eating predilection can alter depending on broker such as geographical location , prison term of yr , and availability of other food sources . In times of drought or when natural food source are special , cervid may fall back to eating plants they would not normally consume . However , under normal circumstances , cervid are unlikely to intemperately damage or devour elephant ear Funka .
If you survive in an domain with a mellow cervid universe and are implicated about possible hurt to your elephant ear hostas , there are steps you may take to deter deer . These let in :
1 . Fencing : Install a sturdy fence around the area where your Funka are plant . Deer are excellent jumper , so verify the fence is at least 8 feet tall and dug into the ground to prevent them from squeeze underneath .
2 . repellant : utilise cervid repellents to your hostas , following the manufacturer ’s pedagogy . These products often check firm scent or taste perception hinderance that can discourage deer from browsing on the plants .
3 . Companion planting : take plant cervid - tolerant flora alongside your elephant capitulum hostas . Some examples of deer - resistant plants include lavender , rosemary , and Achillea millefolium . The bearing of these plants may help deter cervid from come near your genus Funka .
4 . Motion - activated equipment : Install motion - activated sprinkler or noise - making twist near your hostas . When deer approach , these gimmick will activate and startle the cervid , make them less probable to feed on your works .
While deer may occasionally nibble on elephant ear hostas in heroic times , it is not a unwashed occurrent . These plants are generally not preferred by deer due to their large , thick foliage . However , it ’s always a honest idea to take prophylactic measures if you hold up in an area with a high cervid population or have had former issues with deer damage .
Caroline Bates
