I'm in SLO County. Deer readily nibble the flowers here but rarely touch the foliage.

Joe

This winter the deer have been the worse ever. Plants never eaten before were eaten to the ground. Al

Thanks for the feedback, it definitely confirms what I thought, and trying to force the issue with tempting flowers right next to pavement doesn't sound like it will work. Plan B will substitute a known poisonous plant, Cotyledon orbiculata var orbiculata, and maybe try to use the Arctotis just behind it, with the Cotyledon as a barrier, relying on monthly deer spray repellent until the Cotyledon fills in.

I've also found that this past year has been especially bad for deer damage, and the succulents that they normally leave alone, such as the various Aeoniums, have been prime targets. I've also had voles eating the bases of Aechmea bromeliads for the first time ever, for the past 20 years I have never had this problem...