Are Crepe Myrtles Deer Resistant?

Are Crepe Myrtles Deer Resistant? – One common concern among gardeners. In this blog post, we will explore the deer resistance of crepe myrtles and we will offer some tips to protect them from these pesky creatures.

Our recent blogs provided you with a guide on crepe myrtle fertilization and their best varieties. But all the hard work will be damaged if a deer eats up all your vibrant flowers and leaves. So, let’s hop into the details and remove your fear of deer!

Do Deer Eat Crepe Myrtle?

No. Crepe myrtle are deer resistant, which means deer do not eat crepe myrtle as their preferred food. But they can try it if there are not enough food available.

The Behavior of Deer Against Crepe Myrtle

Before we dive into the specifics of crepe myrtles and deer, it’s helpful to understand how deer choose their food. There is a major reason deer have minimal interest in crepe myrtle leaves and flowers.

Why is Crepe Myrtle Deer Resistant?

Deer are herbivores, and their diets consist primarily of leaves, twigs, and buds. They tend to prefer plants with certain characteristics. The plant must be—

(a) Tender 

(b) Young growth

(c) High nutritional value.

The Dilemma between Crepe Myrtles and Deer

Generally, gardeners consider crepe myrtles to be deer-resistant. It’s important to note that no plant is completely immune to deer damage. Deer may still be tempted to nibble on the leaves or buds of crepe myrtles, especially during times of food scarcity or when other preferred plants are unavailable.

Many people defend saying that crepe myrtles are poisonous just like the wisteria are poisonous for humans and pets. But that is not true at all. Crepe myrtle contains any harmful poison. It is just the food habits and seasonal demand that influence deer to kill the crepe myrtles unwillingly.

Factors Affecting Deer Resistance of Crepe Myrtle

In the gardener’s forum page, some of our fellow gardeners discussed the deer-eating crepe myrtle issue. According to everyone’s experience, deer only attack the crepe myrtles when it does not find any more preferable food source. Therefore, several factors can influence how deer perceive crepe myrtles as a food source and make them chew and swallow them.

Factor 1: Plant Health

Deer are less likely to target healthy, vigorous crepe myrtles because of the ultra-thickness and dust. When you do proper care, you can prepare the plant to become harder for deer. Two ways to do that:

• Regular fertilization
• Regular watering

The crepe myrtle becomes deer-resistant with time and its size. If you can grow and transform crepe myrtle into a taller variant, it will eventually go beyond the reach of small deer. Different variants will grow from 2 to 4 feet.

Factor 2: Deer Pressure

The number of deer in your area can significantly impact the risk of damage. Even relatively deer-resistant plants may be at risk in regions with high deer populations. Sometimes, deer do not eat the crepe myrtles. 

The young deer just want to play and damage the colorful flowers in blooming seasons in a way bees attack the pink and darker blooms. But bees do pollen collection and cross-pollination, and deer just damage the tree in the plant age.

Factor 3: Availability of Other Food Sources

If there are plenty of other plants that deer find more palatable in your yard, deer may be less likely to bother your crepe myrtles. I personally organized a spot containing fresh grass, sedges, and leaves for deer. If any deer appeared in my garden, it could have been diverted to those instead of my crepe myrtles. 

Deer like the following types of foods over anything:

• Berries
• Fruits
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Grass
• Sweet potatoes
• Shelled corns

The areas covered with the mentioned foods are safe for crepe myrtle lovers. 

Will Crepe Myrtle Come Back After Deer Eat Them?

Crepe Myrtles can often recover from deer damage. While severe munching can stunt growth, the woody stems are typically strong enough to survive. Extensive damage may be too much for the plant to overcome. In case your crepe myrtles do not come back after the deer attack, you can consider planting some alternatives to crepe myrtle to keep your gardening passion alive.

How to Protect Crepe Myrtles from Deer?

If you’re concerned about deer damage to your crepe myrtles, here are some practical tips to help protect them:

Deer Repellents: Apply commercial deer repellents to your crepe myrtles. These products often contain unpleasant-tasting substances that deter deer.

Physical Barriers: Consider installing different types of deer fencing around your property or using netting to protect individual plants. 

Companion Planting: Planting deer-resistant companion plants near your crepe myrtles can help divert deer attention. Lavender, rosemary, and marigolds are known to repel deer.

Pruning: Regular pruning can help maintain the health and vigor of your crepe myrtles, making them less attractive to deer.

Conclusion

It is clear that crepe myrtles are generally deer-resistant. However, we must be aware of the potential risks and take preventive measures to protect the young plants. If you wonder why your crepe myrtle not blooming after all the care, you can check our guides on that. Thanks for staying with Gardener Soul.

FAQs

Are there any other plants that are more deer-resistant than crepe myrtles?

Crepe myrtles are generally deer-resistant, besides, some plants are even less attractive to deer. Those are— lavender, rosemary, marigolds, and certain types of ornamental grasses. 

How often should I apply deer repellents to my crepe myrtles?

The frequency of deer repellent applications will depend on the severity of deer pressure in your area and the specific product you’re using. Most deer repellents need to be reapplied after rain or heavy watering.

Can I use a motion-activated sprinkler to deter deer from my crepe myrtles?

Yes, motion-activated sprinklers can be an effective way to deter deer from your crepe myrtles. But remember that these devices can also be triggered by other animals, such as cats or dogs.