If you’re an avid gardener, you may have skyrocket junipers in your outdoor plant collection. Skyrocket junipers are beautiful flowers that add a touch of elegance to any garden. But do deer eat skyrocket junipers?
The answer is yes – deer will eat skyrocket junipers if they can. Deer are attracted to skyrocket junipers because of their sweet aroma and the fact that they’re usually well-watered and fertilized.
Considering that a single deer can eat up to ten pounds of plants each day, you can see how deer eating skyrocket junipers can really do some serious damage to these plants!
Why Do Deer Eat Skyrocket Junipers?
As we covered, deer will eat every part of skyrocket junipers (shoots, leaves, flowers and all) when they’ve got the chance after emerging from a long winter when they’re the hungriest.
But why do they do this?
Deer like lush plants that are well-watered and fertilized, and skyrocket juniperss check every box.
Deer can do some serious damage to a large amount of skyrocket juniper plants in a single sitting if they’re hungry enough!
This was confirmed in a 1999 study on deer plant eating habits by Cornell University.
Plants like skyrocket junipers contain water, sugar, protein, and nutrients, which makes them an ideal food source for deer.
And don’t think that newer skyrocket juniper plants are safe either: deer actually prefer new growth because they’re more tender.
Additionally, deer will consume a wide variety of foods like skyrocket junipers based on opportunity.
They’re planted in the ground and grow easily in many areas, so they’re easy for deer to access.
If you’re not convinced, leave some skyrocket junipers out or plant some, and wait to see what happens!
Are Skyrocket Junipers Deer Resistant?
Skyrocket junipers are not regarded as deer resistant at all, thanks to their taste and scent, both of which deer love.
They were rated as “seldom severely damaged” in a study on deer resistant plants by Rutgers University.
You should always take additional steps to deter deer from your skyrocket juniper flowers and other plants.
Read on to learn more.
How Do I Keep Deer From Eating My Skyrocket Junipers?
There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re protecting skyrocket junipers from hungry deer: their habits, your scent, repellent options, and when you plant them.
Deer will eat nearly anything if they’re hungry enough, so your main goal is making your garden as least inviting to deer as possible.
Check out our guide on how to keep deer from eating plants where we cover 25 quick and easy tips for keeping hungry deer out of your garden.
Will Skyrocket Junipers Grow Back After Deer Eat Them?
Unfortunately, skyrocket junipers will not grow back if they are heavily browsed by deer.
If there is still some green foliage in place, you can continue to water and fertilize the plant back to good health, but if they’re eaten back to old wood then the plant will probably die.
Do Deer Eat Skyrocket Junipers? Wrapping Things Up
So, do deer eat skyrocket junipers?
The answer is yes!
Deer will eat skyrocket junipers whenever they can, especially during spring when they’re hungry after a long winter and the buds, stems, and leaves are the most tender.
Have any observations to add to the discussion? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Check our our other helpful wildlife guides while you’re here:
