Do Deer Eat Peonies?


Peonies are a kind of celebrity in home and garden landscapes in my area. They are available in a huge variety, from herbaceous to woody shrubs, with varying needs for sun and shade and watering. All share in common the large, round and soft blooms that are perfect for using as cut flowers on a dining table or credenza. The wooded areas that surround our home and many in the community we live in bring all sorts of woodland critters to our yard. The most persistent eater of this bunch is certainly deer, and they often go right for the plant that happens to be blooming at the time.

Do Deer Like Peonies?

Peony blooms have a taste that is off-putting to deer. This makes this flowering plant a good choice to give your yard some colorful blooms if you live in an area with a large deer population. In our yard, where there is tons of foliage and blooms for the deer to choose from, the deer skip right over the peonies, even when in peak bloom.

do deer eat peonies

If you live in an area with an abundance of other plants, you need not worry about the deer munching your peonies. However, when deer are hungry enough, they will eat most plants that have green foliage. Therefore, no plant is exactly deer-proof. If the deer have trouble finding other plants to eat, they could resort to your precious peonies, but my guess is that these flowering beauties will be low on their priority list.

What Animals Would Harm your Peonies?

The American Peony Society confirms my observation that not many animals are interested in nibbling peonies, with the occasional exception of rabbits during winter months when foliage is less readily available.

The Society does warn that peonies are susceptible to fungal diseases on their leaves and stems. They recommend cutting back peonies to the ground level in the fall to prevent these fungal growths. If you notice any blackened areas in the spring, which would be more likely during periods of heavier rainfall, they advise cutting out these portions of the plant to stop the spread of the fungus.

What Other Flowering Plants Besides Peonies are Deer Resistant?

Although it’s nearly impossible to choose a landscape of flowering plants that is completely deer-proof, there are several plants that deer tend to avoid eating due to smell, taste, or texture. Flowering herbs, or plants with a strong smell, deter deer. This includes lavender, sage, basil, thyme, and anise hyssop. These can be strategically planted in various locations throughout your garden to deter deer, rather than clustered in an herb garden.

Aside from fragrant herbs, other flowering shrubs, and plants that deer often avoid include:

  • Verbena
  • Butterfly Bush
  • Spirea
  • Marigolds
  • Floss flowers

If you live in an area with a high deer population, it is wise to choose plants with this consideration in mind. All the best deterrents will never completely protect your yard from hungry deer. It’s much easier to select plants that they don’t like.

What Are Ideal Conditions for Peonies?

Peonies are perennials and live for a very long time, so planting them is a great investment for your home landscape. They bloom from late spring through early summer, depending on the variety of peony (some retailers will state on the label whether they are early bloomers or late season bloomers).

Peonies are fairly hardy and can tolerate frost and winter, but they do require at least six hours of daily sun. It’s best to plant them away from the shade of other larger shrubs and trees.

Plant them at least three feet apart so there is plenty of space for your peonies to grow and get sufficient nutrients. You’ll want to select a location with good soil drainage. Dig holes about two feet deep to plant peonies or about the size of the pot you purchased it in. When you fill the hole, make sure that the roots are a couple of inches below the ground’s surface. Peonies will not bloom if they have been planted too deeply in the ground.

Peonies do not require heavy fertilizing, but you should mix some fertilizer or compost into the soil when you backfill. Finish the job with a thorough watering.

Because they are so hardy, peonies do not need a heavy mulch blanket to get through winter. Try to avoid planting peonies in areas of your yard with high winds. Peony petals are delicate when in bloom and can blow right off the plant during a gust.

You are not likely to see blooms the first year that you plant peonies. They have a very long lifespan and may require two to three years to start blooming optimally.

When Should I Plant Peonies?

The best time of year to plant peonies is in the early fall. Be sure to leave enough time (about a month) to allow the plant to become established in its new home before the first frost of the year. Planting them in the fall will give them the best chance of survival through the winter and increase your chances for abundant spring and summer blooms.

How Should I Cut Peonies for a Vase?

The best thing about peonies is the beauty they bring to an indoor space when cut. The best time to cut them is when the flower has started to open and the petals begin to loosen up, yet are not completely unfolded. If you wait until the flower is already completely open, it will not last long in your vase.

When you make your cut on the stem, be sure to leave at least two to three sets of leaves remaining on the plant so that it can continue to get nutrients even after its bloom is gone. Use clean and sharp shears and cut at a diagonal angle. This will allow the peonies to absorb the water from the vase better.

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