Is Honeysuckle Deer Resistant?

Known for its fragrant and colorful flowers, honeysuckle is a favorite of gardeners and homeowners all over the country. Honeysuckles are a large family of plants, including both shrub and vine varieties, some of which are more deer-resistant than others.

Types

• According to the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension, coral honeysuckle vine is rarely damaged by deer, while goldflame honeysuckle is another vine that may be occasionally damaged. The Ohio Landscape Association points to two deer-resistant shrub varieties, winter honeysuckle and emerald mound honeysuckle, as well as dropmore scarlet honeysuckle, which it calls "the hardiest honeysuckle vine."

Prevention

• Deer will eat almost anything when they are starving, but they prefer plants with certain characteristics. They particularly relish tender new growth and flower buds in springtime and this is when they are most likely to damage your honeysuckle plants. You can make your honeysuckle more deer-resistant with fences and repellents.

Considerations

• Consult a hardiness zone map before you plant honeysuckle to help you decide which varieties are right where you live. Also consider seeking out the advice of a local expert who can tell you which plants deer most prefer to eat in your area.