I have read that Deer are very destructive to a planting of Hostas....Hosta candy. I have also read that the problem is more evident east of the Mississippi where there are White Tail Deer and not a problem west of the Mississippi where we have Mule Deer. I have deer in my area all year round and see them often.....little Does. They eat the new buds and tender growth on my spring roses but don't bother my Hostas. What is your experience?

Here in Maryland, deer see a yard full of hosta as a never-ending buffet ! The other day, I was returning home at dusk and couldn't get at my drive way because of the small heard of deer standing in the street. They moved when they were good and ready.

We've actually been lucky this year in terms of deer damage though. Usually, they take my expensive hosta (of course) down to the ground. They also like our young firebush. We have to put fences up, spray, sprinkle, etc.

I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and I am sure my deer have sent a menu out to the tri-state area deer population that my land is a 5 star restuarant of all you can eat. I have not found anything they will not eat to the ground even Daffodil which is said that deer never touch. They do more than touch even those no, no plants.

I had neighbors come running out one evening to take pics. One side of my yard was covered with deer you could not see land there was so many.

I am west of the Mississippi and we have White Tail. They will eat anything but concrete and tires.

They eat new rose growth, tulips, euonymus, and aborvitae here.......

I'm in VA and here the deer run rampant, even in suburbia. We have massive over population because all of the deers natural predators have been eliminated, and building has nearly erased their habitat. Last year my hostas were gorgeous until the deer hit, and most of them ended up as nubs. The deer also ate most of my Daylilies (over 500) , roses, heuchera and hydrangeas. I finally reached a crossroads last year with the deer. It was either GET ANOTHER HOBBY besides gardening, or suck it up and get a deer fence. This year I have an 8' deer fence and everything looks lush !! Plus you can imagine how this has improved my mental outlook!!! Open gardens are scheduled, and I'm looking forward to them without having to worry.

We live near mountains where many deer live but they have also habituated to living in neighborhoods. Many are born in the city and never see the mountains. I'm glad that you bit the bullet and got the fence Julie. I see those fences around fruit orchard here. How about some Hosta pictures?






American Halo





Night Before Christmas

Yeah, I'm in Iowa and I have a small herd of white tail deer living in my pastures scrub timber. However, I also have corn and beans to the North and East of me, so most of the time they don't mess with me too much.

Paul your hostas look simply wonderful. Since you're in Utah, I have to ask, do you have an irrigation system? The terrain I visited in Utah didn't seem very conducive to growing hostas.

Julie.....Utah is high desert, one of the driest states, we just went through a record dry winter. Having said that most cities in Utah are located near mountain ranges which receive snow in the winter which becomes our water supply during the summer. Much of Utah is sage brush, rabbit grass, and cedars but there are also farms and cities with beautiful gardens. Our population is growing which could be a problem in the future as will dry winters if they continue. We have two water systems....one culinary and another secondary system that is not potable which we use to water our landscape. I water overhead with sprinklers.......the city has limited us to 3 days a week....I can use the secondary system on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Thanks for you kind comment.

interesting. apparently black tail deer don't like hostas. we live in a very heavily wooded area right on the skykomish river in the cascade mountain foothills. we have 70 hostas in our various shade gardens and ive never even seen a deer in the neighborhood, much less seen evidence of them munching on the plants.