JOIN NOW LOG IN
iVillage GardenWeb iVillage GardenWeb THE INTERNET'S GARDEN & HOME COMMUNITY ADVERTISEMENT
Blogs Forums Photo Galleries Ask The Experts Tools & Directories        
Return to the Plants for Difficult Places Forum | Post a Follow-Up

 o
deer devastation is depressing

Posted by misslucinda 6a (My Page) on
Sun, Mar 15, 09 at 14:26

Hello forum-

I was out of town for an extended period of time and my husband failed to keep up with my spraying of repellent on the shrubs. I came back to find all my very, very mature Rhodies stripped to the bone, my holly (which I pruned into a tree shape last year..very nice look!), goldthread cypress, my big tall yews and even the ivy which I planted 5 years ago and trained to grow up and cover a most unattractive retaining wall (I had deer netting and stakes there but apparently it fell under a heavy snow) munched leafless.

All of these plants encircled my house and there is no way to ignore what looks like the bombing of the botanicals. I tried pruning a bit today but it seems so hopeless.

May I impose on this forum for hope and some instruction on how to possibly salvage these shrubs?

PS---Only the Rhodie which is two stories tall has any leaves remaining...yes, at the 5 foot line.

Thanking you in advance,

A sad soul,

Lucinda


Follow-Up Postings:

 o
RE: deer devastation is depressing

Be patient they will come back by mid summer. Trim back the 5 footer which will encourage lower growth.


 o
RE: deer devastation is depressing

I'm sorry that you've lost so much foliage. These plants will all grow back. The deer ate the leaves, but didn't destroy the plants. You will probably have to spray for every 2 inches of new growth until they are full again.

Cameron
Defining Your Home Garden blog and a gardener with lots of deer, too.


 o
RE: deer devastation is depressing

Okay, I will prune and keep any new growth sprayed and my fingers crossed.

Love your pictures Cameron and the fact you are using the deers laziness to your advantage!

Lucinda


 
 

 

 


Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.



iVillage GardenWeb: The Internet's Garden & Home Community  
  iVillage Home & Garden Network