Nothing is more frustrating than returning home from vacation to discover your garden has been devastated by deer and is wilting due to a lack of water.
Many deer-resistant lists include Sedum’Autumn Joy’ and other taller Stonecrop members. In season, their leaves provides interesting appeal, and in the fall, they put on a spectacular show of blooms. The seed heads make a lovely winter display if left undamaged.
These Stonecrops were a staple in the OPC Stone House Garden when it was first planted because of their ease of upkeep. We moved these “work horses” to “The Wild Garden – A Work in Progress” when we began to restore the beds. It’s a perfect holding location because it’s hidden behind a brick wall and out of sight.
Is sedum plant deer resistant?
Deer will consume or try practically any plant at least once. Sedum Autumn Joy, for example, has a bitter flavor and a sticky texture that deer dislike, but they will still eat it. Because sedum grows until the winter, and deer food becomes short in the winter, if there is nothing else to eat, the deer will nibble on a sedum plant.
While deer like to eat hostas, daylilies, and well-fertilized plants, sedum is a favorite of a few other species. Sedum young shoots have been observed to be eaten by squirrels. During the hot summer months, thirsty birds will avoid the sedum blooms in favor of the juicy leaves.
What animal eats sedum plants?
Animals. The fragile young shoots of the sedum plant have been reported to attract deer and squirrels. Deer have showed a liking for the sedum type known as autumn pleasure, despite the fact that it is deadly to humans.
Will deer or rabbits eat sedum?
Sedum is a plant that rabbits despise. On May 23, 2017 in Longmont, Michael Morris, hard goods manager at the Longmont Flower Bin, displays rabbit and deer repellent products as well as plants that the beasts dislike. Echinacea is a plant that the bunnies despise.
Will deer eat autumn sedum?
Fresh blooms attract butterflies, and spent seed heads attract birds in the autumn and winter. We adore this sedum for more reasons than just its appearance! Heat, humidity, and mild drought are no match for this perennial. You won’t have to worry about deer damage because it’s deer resistant.
Which sedums are deer resistant?
Because of its bitter flavor and sticky texture, Sedum Autumn Joy is often resistant to deer. Deer, on the other hand, consume some gardeners’ Autumn Joy anyhow. While deer have distinct food preferences, when food is scarce and deer are starving, they will consume practically any plant they can get their hands on. Neighbors with Autumn Joy in their yards can help you figure out how resistant this plant is.
Is sedum rabbit and deer resistant?
SunSparkler ‘Lime Twister’ Sedum has lime green foliage with a buttery yellow edging. This resilient succulent blooms in late summer with rose-pink flowers that linger for over a month, attracting pollinators and adding color to the late summer to fall garden. An easy-to-grow plant that will fill containers, borders, and drought-tolerant gardens. Resistant to deer and rabbits.
Do house finches eat sedum?
My Autumn Joy sedum was just eaten by two house birds! Now I understand why the leaves appeared to have been chewed by an insect! I’ve seen the leaves in this state for numerous years, and the plants are still extremely healthy, so it’s not a concern.
Why are the birds eating my sedum?
You can blame the birds if your sedums are looking ragged like this. Birds seeking water in the summer will begin to consume the sedum’s juicy, succulent leaves. Perhaps they prefer the taste* as well, given the harm has been observed with readily available water. Fortunately, the birds normally leave the flower buds alone to open in late summer, but the entire plant looks dingy for the remainder of the season.
If your sedums are eaten by birds every year, one remedy is to cover them with bird netting for a portion of the summer. You might also try holographic tape or other visual deterrents. Birds have no sense of taste or smell, therefore spray-on repellents won’t work on them.
How do you protect sedum?
Watering the sedum should be stopped once the growing season is through. Sedums prefer a dry environment. Winter rot can be caused by too much moisture. The sedum will be protected by a blanket of snow, but continual precipitation and standing water are detrimental to the plant. If the winter has been particularly dry, irrigate just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely. Sedum in pots will require more water than sedum in the ground.