Forsythia plants are considered pretty hard to grow. These plants are high maintenance, requiring full sun for a nice bloom. It also needs well-drained soil and perfect moisture for ideal growth. So you can imagine the amount of time and effort that these plants require.
You don’t want to lose them to a deer invasion.
In this article, we will discuss whether deers eat forsythia. We will help you determine whether deers enjoy eating these plants in general. We will also provide a thorough step-by-step guide as to how you can keep deers from eating forsythia plants. So read ahead to learn all about it.
Do deer eat forsythia?
Deers do not typically eat forsythia. They will refrain from indulging in these plants unless they have to. It does not mean that they don’t eat forsythia at all. It is not poisonous to them. They just like the taste. But a hungry deer will eat forsythia when there is a shortage of food.
Table of Contents
Forsythias are quite high-maintenance plants. You will need to spend a handful of time and effort in order to ensure its well-being. In order to ensure that you get a good bloom out of these plants, you will need to expose them to the full sun.
And these plants often have a late bloom, so you will need to be patient.
Deers do not like eating forsythia. They will generally avoid this plant when they have alternative food options. However, if there is a food shortage in the area, deers may end up eating your forsythia.
Deers do not enjoy eating forsythia because these plants have a strong scent. In addition, both the leaves and the flowers of forsythia plants come in very bright colors. These are the things that repel deers in general.
Forsythia shrubs have a moderate level of alkaloids in the leaves as well. This puts the deers off. They find the leaves of forsythia plants to be quite distasteful.
However, if you have a deer problem in the area, then you should be careful. In regions where there are too many deers around, there is a possibility of natural food shortage. And when food is short in supply, deers may end up eating your forsythia plants.
Forsythia plants and bushes:
Deers generally do not eat forsythia plants and bushes. These plants are considered to be deer-repellent for several reasons.
Deers will not approach these plants as long as they have other natural alternatives available. However, hungry deers are likely to eat your forsythia plants when they are running short on food.
Are forsythia deer resistant?
Forsythia plants are considered deer resistant for a handful of reasons. Deers do not prefer eating these plants. They will choose other shrubs and plants over a forsythia plant. That is, as long as they have a choice.
But deers will eat your forsythia plant when they are running short on food. So you will need to watch out for deers anyway.
Lynwood gold forsythia:
Lynwood gold forsythia is considered deer resistant. These plants are generally quite demanding. You will need to put a lot of work and effort into growing them. So concern about a deer invasion is only natural.
Deers are not likely to prey on these plants. This is because the Lynwood gold forsythia plants feature a rather strong fragrance. This repels deers. Deers do not enjoy feasting on anything that has a strong scent.
In addition, the leaves of these plants come in very vibrant colors. Deers do not enjoy going near leaves or flowers that are too bright in color. It puts them off. This is another reason why this type of forsythia plant is considered to be deer resistant.
Northern gold forsythia:
The Northern gold forsythia plants are considered to be deer resistant as well. These plants come in very bright colors. Both their leaves and flowers are vibrant. So deers do not generally enjoy going near these plants.
In addition, the leaves of these shrubs contain a low level of alkaloids in them. So they appear to be quite distasteful to deers. Deers, therefore, do not prefer these plants over other shrubs in the region.
They will only eat these plants when there are very limited options of natural food.
Do deer like to eat forsythia?
No, deers do not like to eat forsythia. They do not enjoy this plant for several reasons. Deers will prefer a range of other plants over forsythia. They do not find this plant a fulfilling meal.
Deers do not enjoy this plant because its leaves and flowers come with a very strong scent, color, and texture. Deers are not a fan of these things. They like plants that have a bland taste.
In addition, the vibrant color of forsythia plants makes them quite repelling to deers. Deers do not enjoy these plants as they feature very colorful flowers as well as bright green leaves with a yellow hue. This puts deers off.
Deers would rather prefer a plant that has dull-colored flowers and darker leaves. Those are the plants that would rather attract deers. So you can imagine why deers do not like to indulge in forsythia plants.
In addition, deers do not find the texture of these plants to be quite as appealing. They would rather opt for plants that have lighter textures. In addition, the leaves of deers contain alkaloids. This makes them quite distasteful to deers.
On top of that deers do not like the fact that the leaves of forsythia plants are not quite as tender or juicy as they would like.
How to keep deer from eating forsythia plants?
There are several measures that you can take in order to keep deers from eating forsythia plants. Read ahead to learn more about it:
Scatter human hair across the boundary:
Human hair is something that baffles deers. They are unfamiliar with this object so it puts them back whenever they come across some human hair. It is a great weapon against deer as it repels deer rather quickly.
Deers are quite vigilant about their environment. They would not approach a place if they notice that there are unfamiliar objects around. They are very aware. So you can leverage this trait to keep deers away from your garden.
For a long-lasting effect, you should take this a step further. Make sure to put about 10 to 15 handfuls of human hair into a few socks. Then place the socks around the garden. It would be most effective if you can place the socks along the edge of the garden.
Then you should keep some socks filled with human hair at the base of the forsythia plants. This will protect the plants in particular.
Use soap bar:
Another object of fear for deers is soap bars. You can use soap bars to keep deers away from the garden. Deers are not familiar with the object, so it keeps them away from the grounds.
You may place some soap bars along the boundary of the garden. In addition, place some soap bars underneath the forsythia plants for additional protection. This will make sure that no deer approaches your plants anytime soon.
Apply commercial deer repellents:
You will find many deer repellent sprays in the market. These products have been quite popular due to an increase in deer invasion in some areas.
The commercial deer repellent sprays feature scents that annoy deers, including mint, oregano, garlic, sage, lavender, marigolds, and so on.
Make sure to spray these repellents on the forsythia plants every once in a while. It is important that you be regular with the spraying. This will keep deers away from your forsythia plants.
Final thoughts
Deers do not eat forsythia plants under normal circumstances. They will not eat these plants when there are other alternatives available. However, if there is a food shortage in an area that has too many deers, you will need to be careful. Deers may come to pounce your forsythia plants then.