[tatz4ever]

Hello all! I had my landscape done last year and was given all the "deer proof" shrubs. (I know there is no such thing, but my landscaper told me he has NEVER had a problem with deer and these shrubs.) My Blue Rug junipers and Mugo pines are eaten down to the branches. My Boxwoods look like my 3 year old took a hedge clipper to them. The plants all appear to have survived this all you can eat buffet.
My question is: Do you think the plants can regrow the foliage? Should I rip them out and start again?
This winter everyone of my little shrubs will be getting a nice burlap wrap to protect them.
Thanks for your help.
James

[jshilan]

Sounds like you have West Coast Deer - they're pretty tough.

Boxwood is pretty much a lock on deer resistance, as is juniper. Never was a big fan of the mugo pine.

I suggest you look around the neighborhood and see what is not being eaten and start with that or look at the advertisers listed above.

There's always other options.

[tatz4ever]

Nah, these are the East Coast Pennsylvania gated community variety. These suckers are not afraid of anything.
I forgot to add the arborvitaes (sp?) and the Rhodies to. Rhodies have no leaves, Arbs are stripped like the others already mentioned.
Driving around the community I see the arbs and rhodies and boxwoods all flourishing. I never would have thought that they would take every bit of greenery off of the junipers, Mugo pines, and Arbs.
I spent over $1000.00 on shrubs last year and the only things not affected are my Alberta Spuces and Blue Spruces.
Do you think they can come back or should I rip them out and start over?

[Greensmith]

Conifers (needles) plants rarely survive significant defoliation. The boxwood should be ok. Arbs (non-Arb. plicata) , rhodos should not have been planted in a deer heavy area.

Have you tried a deer repellant (liquid fence, deer out) ?

[jshilan]

I pretty much echo Greensmiths answers.

If these plants are surviving at other homes, they either have significant deer fencing (electric and/or 8'), or a spray program to keep them away. You may also have a more wooded aspect to your property than your neighbors do.

Also, deer have specific paths that they do like to follow and your property might be the preferred path. Look into deer netting next year to keep them off the plants.

Otherwise just start giving them names and get to know the families.

[TrickyDick]

I agree as well. Deer eat different stuff everywhere but of the stuff you listed only the blue spruce and boxwood would usually be considered deer resistant in my opinion.