![]() Yes, the deer do love roses, and it does not seem to matter if the roses are the popular Knockout roses, Drift roses, Hybrid Tea roses, Floribundas, Miniature roses, or the wonderful David Austin shrub roses. If you live in an area that is known to have deer close by, think about protection early on. The same is true after a hail storm or other like events that cause significant damage to rose bushes. Do not apply large amounts of fertilizer, as the roses need some time to recover. Super Thrive is not a fertilizer it is a product that provides essential nutrients to the bushes at a time of great need. Watering the rose bushes with a water and Super Thrive mix will go a long way in helping the roses recover from the major stress of such an attack. Also, pruning out the broken canes and sealing all the cut ends may help. Where I live in Northern Colorado, I cannot count the times I have gotten phone calls from fellow rose-loving gardeners in total despair about the loss of their entire rose beds! There is little one can do once their roses have been munched on by the hungry deer except prune down what is left of the damaged canes. When we consider that deer generally live and feed in herds, they can do an astounding amount of damage to our gardens, roses included, in a short amount of time. According to published information, each deer eats, on average, 5 to 15 pounds (2.5 to 7 kg.) of plant material taken from shrubs and trees each day. ![]() They are especially fond of the new, tender growth where the thorns are not so sharp and firm yet.ĭeer usually do their browsing damage at night and occasionally you may see deer eating roses during the day. ![]() Deer will eat the buds, blooms, foliage, and even the thorny canes of rose bushes. I have heard it said that deer look at roses like many of us do fine chocolates. Many years ago my late grandfather penned the following in his little grade school Friendship Book: “The deer loves the valley and the bear loves the hill, the boys love the girls and always will.” Deer do indeed love the beautiful, succulent growth they find in those meadows and valleys, but they cannot resist a rose garden if there is one close by. There’s a question that comes up a lot – do deer eat rose plants? Deer are beautiful animals that we love to see in their natural meadow and mountain environments, no doubt about it. ![]()
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