It’s that time of year, again! The weather will get colder, food will become scarce and the critters begin moving in on your prized plants…aak! Rabbits and Deer can be horribly destructive to annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees. During the winter, it becomes extremely important to protect your young trees from hungry critters, as well as, sun scald which can cause irreparable damage.
There are several methods you can use to protect your new trees, some are better
than others for serving a dual purpose. There are tree wraps, screens, paint and fences. It is suggested to choose a
method which suits your fancy and then check frequently for damage to the tree. The best time to install your wrap is after a few lengthy nighttime freezes. The majority of the insects will be gone and no longer post a threat to the tree for the season. Tree wraps come in varying forms, are readily available (check the tree care section of our garden pharmacy), and extremely easy to install on the tree. The brief video provided is an excellent tutorial on the process.
The tree wrap is only designed to be
And then there is the well known saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”… if you grow plants which are undesirable to critters, you will have much less damage (in a normal year). There seems to be very few “immune” plants to munching, however if there are enough alternatives in neighboring properties, they should ignore these plantings.
Deer tend to do more fatal harm to trees and shrubs, so this list is primarily focused on those categories. As stated before, they avoid these plants….this doesn’t guarantee they will remain chomp-free.
The majority of the plants found on the rabbit list are those which both tend to avoid. In addition to these plant lists, most spring and fall bulbs are safe from being grazed or browsed, soooo plant away!
If you reside in what feels like a heavily “infested” area, consider making a switch to some of these beautiful plants which naturally ward off critter attacks. Keep us posted!
This plant has so many fabulous attributes: very fast growth rate, lengthy bloom time, non-invasive, hummingbird and butterfly magnet, low maintenance and it can be shaped or hedged or used as a screen. The single flowering varieties will drop quite a few seeds, but if you apply pre-emergent around the plant, this can be kept to a minimum. My favorite varieties are those sporting double blooms which produce very few seeds, but are still prolific bloomers. Recognized as the Chiffon™ series, the double, carnation-like blooms are simply irresistible to 
and the new 
This fantastic shrub requires virtually no maintenance (possibly trimming off a rogue vertical stem) and while the bloom is rather insignificant, the berry clusters produced along the stems are fantastic. Left to perform the natural growth habit, this shrub’s stems cascade in a horizontal fashion. Each stem is lined with these beautiful clusters of berries which become a welcome treat for birds. In our zone, this shrub may die back to the ground in the winter (similar to the Buddleja) and should be groomed as it is first emerging, removing dead stems as necessary. It is definitely a conversation piece and will provide beauty until the first hard freeze.
The cooler weather has encouraged me to do a bit of “porch sitting” while watching the butterflies float through the air and the hummingbirds fight over the Rose of Sharon nectar. I have found sunrise and sunset to be their most active feeding times. I certainly hope you are enjoying your garden beds as much as I am and don’t forget:
migration from Canada and the United States south to Mexico where they hibernate in the Oyamel fir trees during the inhospitable months. Their heart rate slows dramatically and they literally cover the trees with no room to spare.
Most members of the Asclepia family will satisfy the hungry caterpillar, but some are favored over others. We are all being urged to plant these desirable host plants and food sources. Asclepias curassavica (an annual in our area), Asclepias incarnata, and Asclepias tuberosa are the preferred food sources. Another is Asclepias syriaca, but give this one some room away from your current plantings, it spreads via underground rhizomes. You could try others, as well. It is also important to offer the adults some food, one of the best and easiest is Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) planted in groups to accommodate many hungry mouths. Don’t forget to pinch them as they are getting started in the spring. Pinching the tips off in the beginning insures many more 
blooms in the summer. Both the Asclepias and the Buddleia can be planted in early fall to allow a head start on spring. Other perennial flowers which are great food sources for the adult Monarch include:
The Viceroy is smaller and less graceful in its flight. There are also distinctive pattern differences, as well. The picture on the left clearly shows the black line which runs across the hind wings of the Viceroy. The Monarch does not have this obvious marking. While it is nice to have Viceroy visit your flowers, it is difficult to get an accurate gauge on the number of Monarchs which are visiting unless you can tell the difference between the two.
I remember, as a child, studying the metamorphosis process and everyone wanted to see the beautiful gold lined chrysalis which encased the beautiful Monarch waiting to emerge at exactly the right time. I certainly want my son (and your children/grandchildren) to be able to experience it too. If you can find some room in your yard for some vital plants for the Monarch, I know they will be greatly appreciated!
