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Do Deer Eat Clematis? (All You Need to Know)

Generally, deer are herbivorous animals and eat anything that comes their way when they are hungry. They have a pretty interesting food habit. But do deer eat clematis?

In today’s article, we will discuss if the deer can eat clematis. 

Do deer eat clematis?  

Deer do not like to eat clematis. It is considered a deer-resistant plant because of its versatility and the flowers. But the deer may occasionally eat and damage the clematis plants if they do not have any other plants around them as they eat almost anything when hungry. 

Clematis is a popular type of flowering vine or shrub. It is commonly seen in all gardens and gardeners like to plant it because of its beauty, versatility, and style. 

The flowers in clematis plants are available in different types of colors, sizes, and shapes, which makes the plant look more attractive when you have them in your garden. 

The flowers also spread an aroma that is liked by most gardeners. Generally, the deer have a strong-smelling sense, which they use to search for their food. However, they do not like to smell any strong pungent aromatic material because they cannot resist them. 

As a result, they do not come closer to the clematis plant because they spread a strong smell around it, which the deer does not like. If you are living in a deer-infested area, planting clematis will help you to make your garden deer resistant. 

Below is a brief discussion on different parts of clematis and discuss if they are eaten by the deer or not: 

Clematis flowers: 

The deer do not like to eat clematis flowers because it comes in different colors and a variety of smells which are not liked by the deer. So, they try to keep themselves away from the clematis flowers.

Clematis vines: 

Sometimes the deer may prefer to eat the clematis vine. The vines are tasty and materials that are liked by the deer. But in most cases, the deer tends to avoid the clematis vines as well.

Clematis plants: 

The deer can eat the clematis plants. Generally, deer tend to eat anything that comes their way when they are hungry and in search of food. So, there is a chance that they will eat the clematis plants if they are hungry.

Clematis leaves: 

Since the deer is an herbivorous animal, they will not hesitate to heat the clematis plants because they are a good source of food.

Do deer like clematis?  

No, the deer do not like clematis. Generally, the clematis is considered a deer-resistant plant because of its versatility and smelling compound present in the flowers. Deer have a strong-smelling sense that they use to search for food. 

In some cases, they cannot resist smelling anything that spreads a strong aroma. The clematis flowers spread a strong, pungent aroma which is avoided by the deer. 

As a result, if you are living in an area with plenty of deers, you may face unwanted invasion in your garden. To prevent deer from entering your garden and eating the trees and leaves, you can try planting clematis in the garden. 

It will make your garden deer resistant. But the deer may occasionally eat the clematis when they are hungry and in search of food. So, it will eventually make your garden deer resistant, not deer-proof. 

Are clematis deer resistant?  

Yes, clematis is deer resistant. Clematis is a type of flower that is commonly found everywhere and many people love to use them in their gardens. It has a variety of species. 

Generally, clematis plants are available in more than 300 species. As a result, they are quite available to find. That is why planting clematis can be an effective option to keep the deer away from eating the plants. 

There are many deer tolerant species or clematis that are available. However, most of the people plant them to keep deer away. Although deer may come to your garden and still eat the clematis when they are hungry. 

Since the deer is an adaptive animal, they can eat almost anything that comes their way when they are hungry. Below is a brief discussion on a few species of clematis which are deer resistant: 

Autumn clematis: 

Autumn Clematis is a highly deer-resistant heat tolerant plant that usually can stretch over 20 feet in height. Many people use them in their garden for the beautification of their garden. 

Clematis Armandii or evergreen clematis: 

Clematis Armandii is a flowering climbing plant that is also considered a deer-resistant plant. It is preferred by most gardeners because of its flower and smell. 

So, if you are living in a deer-infested area and facing frequent deer invasion, you can plant the clematis Armandii or evergreen clematis to keep them away from your garden.

Clematis Montana:

Clematis Montana is one of the 300 clematis species that is effective to deter the deer from your garden. However, their vines and shrubs are preferred by the deer so they may eat them when they are hungry and in search of food.

Sweet autumn clematis: 

Sweet Autumn Clematis is a toxic variant of calamities and it is effective to prevent the deer away from your garden. Generally, people plant sweet autumn clematis in their garden when they frequently face deer invasion.

Jackmanii clematis:

The Jackmanii Clematis is considered a deer-resistant plant because of its toxic and poisonous compounds. 

It is a hybrid version of Clematis lanuginosa and Clematis viticella. So, they combine to create a poisonous version of clematis which is disliked by the deer. 

Will clematis come back after deer eat them? 

Generally, the deer come to the garden when they are hungry and in a desperate search of food. They eat the plants and the leaves from the trees and cause significant damage to your garden. 

Having this sort of damage will disrupt the growth of the plants and reduce the beauty of yoga. If the deer have eaten the clematis plant from your garden, you do not need to worry about the planet growing back. 

The blondes tend to grow back again if it has faced significant damage. In addition to that, some clematis plants like to be cut down to 12 inches everywhere to maintain their normal growth. 

So, the deer could be doing some beneficial pruning for you if they have eaten the plants from your garden. 

How to keep deer from eating clematis plants?

Deer may come to your garden and eat the plants and leaves which causes significant damage to the garden. 

This will also disrupt the growth of plants. That is why it is better to secure the clematis plants from the deer invasion. Generally, the deer tends to search for food in the wild areas. 

They have a strong-smelling sense that helps them to search for food by smelling them. That is why they cannot resist smelly or aromatic compounds present in their plants. 

Clematis species are considered deer resistant because the flowers spread a strong and long-lasting smell which prevents the deer from coming close to it. 

Since the deer is an adaptive animal, they will eventually eat anything that comes their way when they are hungry. That is why, if you’re considering planting clematis as a deer-resistant plant, the deer may still come to your garden and eat the plants. 

That is why you can follow the tips below to keep the deer from eating clematis plants: 

Fencing the garden:

The best way to prevent the deer from entering your garden and eating the clematis plants is to encircle the garden by putting fences around them. 

That is why it is recommended to encircle the garden by using fences that are at least 48 to 60 inches high from the ground so that the deer cannot climb them.

Tenax 60100109 Select Deer Fence, Black, 7.5-Feet by 100-Feet

Applying deer Repellant:

You can also try sprinkling or spraying deer repellent. There is a variety of natural and homemade deer repellents, which will eventually help you to keep the tear away from your garden. 

You can spray egg white or sprinkle essential oil or clothes to keep the tear away from your garden.

Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent Granular, 5-Pound

Put a scarecrow inside the garden:

Put a scarecrow in the middle of the garden which is almost identical to a human, and this will help to keep the deer away from your garden. Following the techniques will protect the plants of your garden.

Final Thoughts

Generally, deer do not like to eat clematis because of its versatile style and smelling characteristics. That is why it is considered a deer-resistant plant. But the deer may still come to your garden and eat the clematis if they are hungry and in search of food.