So far this year (2023) a muntjac (I have only seen one, regular visitor) has eaten tulips, heuchera, baby lupins, lilies, and all the buds on every one of my poppies (Shirley, field, oriental, opium... the lot). It's trimmed a scrub oak hedge up to three feet above the ground. And this is in town with more houses between here and a wooded area. #devildeer skips off down the road when disturbed, then comes back for more nibbles. #sigh
I get Roe Dee. When pregnant and lactating they need a richer diet and eat flowers and seedheads. There is a list on the internet, but too USA orientated; RHS is best. Deer seem to try everything and spit out what they don't like.
THe best defense I have found is human hair. Not the most attractive thing to have in a flower garden, but OK surrounding my runner beans. A 5 ft min fence is ideal. I have a plastic mesh one that started as an experiment, and worked well. If you leave the entrance open, they get in. and if they panic the whole show is destroyed.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
THe best defense I have found is human hair. Not the most attractive thing to have in a flower garden, but OK surrounding my runner beans. A 5 ft min fence is ideal. I have a plastic mesh one that started as an experiment, and worked well. If you leave the entrance open, they get in. and if they panic the whole show is destroyed.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."