2 record(s)
Question:
I would like to plant ornamental shrubs along a fence line surrounding a small family cemetery on our property. What do you recommend we plant that is "deer proof", is not harmful to kids, pets or cattle, and will grow in our Blanco County rocky soil? I would like to plant them in the next few weeks.
Answer:
There are many lists of deer-resistant plants but there is no list of deer proof plants. This is partly because of the changing appetites with different areas, food availability, deer population, etc. Another reason is that even though the deer do not find certain plants to be palatable, the bucks can demolish them when they are rubbing the velvet from their antlers and when they are marking their territory during the rutting season. Some that I have seen little, if any, damage to include Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens), Oleander (Nerium oleander) all parts of which are toxic but are reputed to be so bitter that even goats will not eat them, Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) and Boxwood (Buxus microphylla). See the list of deer-resistant plants at this PLANTanswers Web site:
aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu...
Question:
We planted "Turk's Cap" in my back landscape this Spring. Have 10 of them. They're growing taller, despite the drought. In fact, the branches are about 3-4 ft long, and spreading out. Looking strange; lately there's been few red-orange blooms, which I attribute to the weather. Questions: is this plant name correct or an informal name? Is there another name I should be looking for in order to find information? Should I let these branches continue to grow or prune at some point? When and how much?
Answer:
Turk's Cap is Malvaviscus arboreus. It grows to 4 to 5 feet tall, forming a shrub like perennial plant. It flowers in late spring through the fall, with bright red petals rolled loosely around the flowers' reproductive parts. It is a hibiscus relative, with similar dark green foliage, perfect complement to the colorful flowers. It is enticing to hummingbirds. Plants die to the ground each winter, then comes back freely in the spring. If you will look on PLANTanswers at:
aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu...
you will find (down the page) this information. Fiesta (variegated green-and-white foliage) Turk's Cap
(Malvaviscus arboreus) is a shade-tolerant, deer-resistant Texas native that has blooms, which hummingbirds love, grows in sun or part sun. Grows 4 to 5 feet tall, forming a shrub like perennial plant. Flowers from late spring through the fall, with bright red petals rolled loosely around the flowers' reproductive parts. It is a relative of hibiscus, with variegated green-and-white foliage which makes a perfect complement to colorful flowers and is a showy stand-out in shady areas where the green color is lost. Hummingbirds love it and enjoy feeding in the shade. It dies to the ground each winter, then comes back in the spring — it is a root-hardy perennial. It is an old-time favorite of early Texas gardeners since it is deer resistant as well. It is drought tolerant and some have indicated that plants can be weeded with a glyphosate herbicide such as Roundup, Kleanup or Finale without significant, if any, damage to the foliage of the Turk's Cap. (Try at your own risk!!) Not only is this all the information on PLANTanswers but it is the only information I could find on the entire Web!!! The only reason I have become interested in Turk's Cap is because it is one of a very few plants which will bloom in the shade and it is the ONLY plant I know of which is least preferred by deer. Then I found that you can weed around it with Roundup (glyphosate herbicide) without damaging the plant — even if you wet it with the Roundup spray!! I have been developing a variegated form which is more dwarf and more compact than the more common green. For several years I have been growing seedlings of the variegated Fiesta looking for a medium size dwarf. I have isolated the plant type I want this year and we are beginning to increase it. If you would like to try some, I will certainly be willing to get you several hundred plants for your backyard. Turk's Cap is a Texas native which blooms in the shade and is loved by hummingbirds — I think the hummingbirds just like to dine in the shade and I can't much blame them.
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