Hi Michey,

I've attached a link to a thread from the recent past that may be of interest/help to you...

Good luck,
Don B.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lights (Remedies) for Deer, Rabbits?

I would definitely pot up a few extra special ones to keep on the patio! Today I moved 'Autumn Frost' to my front porch because it is just soo beautiful.

Where in Md? I'm in Baltimore County.

I live in the woods. I have hosta and a lot of deer. Even though some of the plants get chewed, or even eaten to the ground I still have them. Here is my Pineapple Punch eaten as it emerged this spring.

I've learned nothing is 100% protection against deer. Mostly it is persistence, ongoing attention. When I get lazy, a couple of eaten hosta is all it takes to snap me back to attention! And you need to learn to tolerate a few leaves with bites taken out of them.

I mostly use Liquid Fence (reapplying is a pain). I use so much, my DH found a cheaper on-line source to buy the large jugs of concentrate! But there are many, many methods. Search the forum and you'll find many posts related to deer.

You're right, the closer to the house and human traffic, the safer. Dogs are great deterents too.

I say go for it, and good luck!

I am in Baltimore county. I used to spray and it always ends up with them eating them sometime along the way in the summer>>>so now, I just let them do it! I have an entire 200 foot driveway lined with ventricosa. By the end of the summer, they are sticks. It has been so frustrating, I do have some nice ones close to the house but even they will be eaten at some point. I believe fencing is the only preventive that really works and it is impossible for me to do this with my lot. arrrrgh.

Don, thank you for the link! I'm really intrigued by the Vicks Vapo-rub idea! Seems like a low-investment thing to try.

Jadie, I'm excited about the prospect of Hosta's on the patio! Between that and my raised deck, both with an Eastern exposure, I can at least have a little fun. Hopefully it's not to bright for them up there (but we won't know until we try!) I'm down near Washington DC (Silver Spring, actually) so not too far away. So thrilled to see the sun again after all that poopy rain we received =/

Hostahosta, your poor pineapple punch! Trying to get used to that "nibbled on" look will be tough, but is a necessary evil. I'm a little bit obsessive about the liquid fence spraying (I've only just started gardening here over the last 6 months, so my plant numbers are still manageable. First time I sprayed that stuff, I made the mistake of standing downwind. OOPSIES!

Shadeyplace, I didn't realize you were close-by too! I added a picture of your woodland garden stone wall (from that other thread) to my pinterest for inspiration... hope that's ok! I applaud you for throwing in the towel and letting nature take its course! All this "extra" wildlife us woodland gals get to enjoy makes the constant deer struggle worth it, IMO. (although ask me again after this summer is over, and my answer may change, lol!)

I agree the wildlife is wonderful. I have fox I feed every evening, pair if eagles next door, herons, ducks, and of course! Deer. Also, at my age, with no "crew", I have started to let the bottom part of the garden go anyway