If you’re an avid gardener, you may have Virginia creeper in your outdoor plant collection. Virginia creeper are beautiful flowering vines that add a touch of elegance to any garden or trellis. But do deer eat Virginia creeper?
The answer is yes – deer will eat Virginia creeper if they can. Deer are attracted to Virginia creeper 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 Virginia creeper can really do some serious damage to these plants!
Why Do Deer Eat Virginia Creeper?
As we covered, deer will eat every part of Virginia creeper (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 Virginia creeper check every box.
Deer can do some serious damage to a large amount of Virginia creeper 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 Virginia creeper contain water, sugar, protein, and nutrients, which makes them an ideal food source for deer.
And don’t think that newer Virginia creeper plants are safe either: deer actually prefer new growth because they’re more tender.
Additionally, deer will consume a wide variety of foods like Virginia creeper 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 Virginia creeper out or plant some, and wait to see what happens!
Are Virginia Creeper Deer Resistant?
Virginia creeper not regarded as deer resistant at all, thanks to their taste and scent, both of which deer love.
They were rated as “occasionally severely damaged” in a study on deer resistant plants by Rutgers University.
You should always take additional steps to deter deer from your Virginia creeper flowers and other plants.
Read on to learn more.
How Do I Keep Deer From Eating My Virginia Creeper?
There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re protecting Virginia creeper 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 Virginia Creeper Grow Back After Deer Eat Them?
Virginia creeper are considered a deciduous vine, meaning it loses it’s leaves in fall and regrows them in the spring.
They can withstand some browsing from deer around winter and early spring, but mainly if the deer eat don’t eat the buds.
Deer love eating buds from flowers though, so it’s doubtful that you’ll be this lucky.
If they eat them down to the root you may not be able to bring them back to life.
Do Deer Eat Virginia Creeper? Wrapping Things Up
So, do deer eat Virginia creeper?
The answer is yes!
Deer will eat Virginia creeper 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:
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- Are loropetalum deer resistant?
- Are sunpatiens deer resistant?
- Do deer eat hellebores?
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- Do deer eat trumpet vine?
- Do deer eat Oriental lilies?
