Deer Ate My Impatiens?
 

I have no wish to harm the local wildlife, but this is so frustrating!!!

We have a small group of does that have moved into the neighborhood. Shooting is prohibited here and I think they have figured out that they are safe with their fawns here. We have a long tradition of stopping to let the local wildlife cross the street, including a group of wild turkeys. People stop even during morning rush hour and I think a neighbor may even put out feed for the deer. I don't mind them, really except for this:

Attachment 103736

Something ate my impatiens!!

Is there an annual that does well in shaded containers that the deer won't eat? I just want something that maybe smells bad to them or is unappetizing.

Thanks!

Nightshades such as Solanum nigrum are good. A deer might eat them. Once.

I neglected to mention that this is in my front yard, which is not fenced and my neighbors have kids. So um, I'm gonna have to pass on that option. LOL!

See : Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance: Home, Lawn & Ga...

I see this one is on the Rutgers U. list...

I was gonna suggest Catharanthus rosea, the Annual Vinca, as I have grown it in shade, it looks very much like Impatiens from a distance, enjoys similar soil conditions, and apparently (I wasn't for certain) it is deer resistant. It comes in a variety of colors from white into shades of pink and magenta. I actually liked it better than the Impatiens once I gave it a try.

Thanks for the suggestion Heister! That's just about perfect! I'll write it down with my landscape plan for next spring!

I house sat for a month on a deer freeway. To protect the flower beds (pansies I think), I grated a whole bar of Irish Spring soap onto the beds.

I don't remember where I read/heard about it nor its effectiveness. I also don't remember why Irish Spring since I don't use it. I just remember holding a box grater in one hand and a waxy striped block in the other.

That's worth a shot too! Thanks for the tip!

its the human scent of the soap they dont like...

Something been stealin my moss off my plants. I tried to transplant moss in the tree and somethin stole it too...
squirrels :lol:

havent seen any Deer yet. A few coyotes roaming the street diggin in the trash.

Poor animals we run them off their land and then we complain :(

Deer, chipmunks, and groundhogs can cause so much damage. :(

I would not trade the animals here for a nicer garden. I love where I live. I love walking my dogs at night and seeing deer and other creatures. I'm a big time animal lover and I know that their habitat has been destroyed by urban expansion. It's kind of our fault that they have to eat my plants to survive.

Yes i too love the wildlife. Well most of them, I will confess if I could I would kill those mean Ravens. I hate them they kill everything else.

This is a bit late, after all the advice you've gotten, but I've found that strong, ornamental kitchen herbs are a life-saver. Rosemary especially is great, I've planted it around my chicken coop because it's not only pretty and useful, but the hens won't go near the stuff! Here's a list of other herbs wildlife will avoid.

I can plant Rosemary and sage here. That's a great idea!

It's not too late at all. Fall is setting in and I opted not to redo that planter this year. I figured I could spend some time getting suggestions and researching ideas for it. We've had a huge influx of animals. I've found moose scat, yes, moose, in my yard. It's going to be an interesting fall.

I grow wormwood, rue, tansy and soapwort among my flowers and kitchen herbs. I never have a problem with the garden. Now the potted plants.....