Hibiscus Deer Resistance
Research on Deer Resistance of Hibiscus
The influence of deer on garden plants is quite significant, and many plants are often damaged by its nibbling. Hibiscus, as a common garden flower, has attracted much attention for its deer resistance.
Hibiscus has unique characteristics. Its leaf shape, color and texture are different from some plants that are easy for deer to eat. Hibiscus leaves are mostly palmately split, and the surface seems to have fine fluff, which may make it difficult for deer to develop an appetite. In addition, the smell of hibiscus is not attractive to deer. It has been observed that deer avoid plants that emit a specific smell when foraging. Hibiscus may be reluctant to approach deer due to its unique smell.
However, the deer resistance of hibiscus is not absolute. In the season of food shortage, deer may attack hibiscus because of hunger. And deer in different regions may have different eating habits, and deer in some areas may have a slightly higher acceptance of hibiscus.
After many field observations and studies, in general, hibiscus is more resistant to deer than many plants. In areas with less deer damage, hibiscus can grow better without excessive deer prevention measures. However, in places with dense deer herds and food shortages, it is still necessary to supplement certain deer prevention measures, such as setting up fences, spraying deer repellents, etc., to ensure the integrity of hibiscus and make it appear in the garden landscape.
