It’s no secret that deer like to visit gardens, but what do they eat? Begonias are a common plant that deer like to eat. While they nibble on the leaves and petals, deer don’t typically eat entire begonia plants.
Although deer can survive on whatever wild vegetation they find in their surroundings, for some reason, they prefer garden plants like begonias. Landscapers and homeowners alike must come up with ways to keep these visitors away from their gardens. Repellents and physical barriers will definitely help ; however, understanding more about deer dietary habits can help you figure out how to keep them away.
Let’s dig into some more details about deer eating preferences. Why do deer like to eat begonias? How can you prevent deer from eating begonias from your garden? Are all begonias deer resistant? And much more.
So, let’s get started.
Are Begonias Deer Favorite?
Not really. Deer has a curious nature. They will try to eat anything they find. Begonias, being colorful flowers, attract deer, and they will always try to get a taste from them even if they don’t like these. Sometimes, deer even eat things that they don’t like, and begonias are one of them.
Animals can’t always find things that they like, so they are left with no choice but to fill their hunger even with things they don’t like. The same goes for deer. They struggle to get significant food to survive, and that’s the reason they have a wide range of eating preferences. They will just grab anything just enough to feed themselves.
What is Eating my Begonias?
It’s not just deer that will jump to your begonia garden; there are many other animals, birds, and insects that eat begonias.
Insects like snails, whiteflies, caterpillars, aphids, and earwigs do damage to begonia plants. Some of these insects will just eat begonias at night, leaving you no clue what happened to your begonias, and some will eat them day and night. As a solution, you can use insecticidal soap to get rid of these insects.
Other than the insect, begonias are also many animals’ favorite, such as squirrels, deer, rats, rabbits, chickens, and even groundhogs. So, the list is quite extensive, and you have to do some extra care to protect your begonia garden from these insects and animals.
Are all Begonias Deer Resistant?
Almost 1,800 varieties of begonia exist across the world, making them an incredibly diverse plant species. Begonias are a great choice for gardeners looking to spice up their outdoor spaces with color and variety.
Not all begonias are deer resistant. Waxy-leaved bedding begonias are mostly deer resistant. Also, Rex-begonias are also deer resistant. In particular, deer don’t like to eat begonias that have fuzzy leaves, rhizomatous stems, and sharp foliage.
Deer are picky eaters; even if they don’t want to eat the oversized wax varieties like angel wing begonias, they can still pluck them from the ground after taking a ‘taste test’.
What are Deer-Resistant Begonias
Deer-resistant begonias are common flowering plants known for tolerating hungry deer. A versatile addition to any garden, these perennials come from tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Throughout the growing season, deer-resistant begonias have pretty flowers in pinks, reds, and whites. Besides their beauty, deer-resistant begonias serve another purpose; deer tend to ignore them even when other plants in the area are eaten by them. If you are thinking about which begonias you should plant or If you’re worried about deer nibbling in your garden, these unique begonias will stay safe!
Some examples of deer-resistant begonias are silver jewel begonias, iron cross begonias, heat-shaped rex begonias, begonia picotee lace series, and sun-changing begonias. These begonia types are not deer favorite, and deer will try to avoid them mostly.
Other Begonias that are Partially Deer-resistant
1- Wax Begonias
Wax begonias are one of the subspecies of begonias. Wax begonias are the perfect choice for adding a pop of color to any garden. They come in white, red, pink, and salmon colors, and they’re surprisingly easy to care for. If you live in an area that’s especially hot or dry, use a wide pot with drain holes so you can keep them well hydrated. With all other qualities these are also in category of deer resistant plants.
2- Tuberose Begonia
Another popular begonia type is tuberose begonias, and they are known for their beauty. They come in a variety of colors, such as red, orange, yellow, and pink. They bloom throughout the summer and are native to South America and South Africa. They are also partially deer resistant.
3-Angel Wing Begonias
When it comes to indoor decoration, angle wing begonias are often the best choice. They are also known as cane begonias. These are more common in tropical and subtropical areas. Its flowers bloom in summer and grow in groups from the stems. And luckily these are deer resistant as well.
4- Rex Begonia
Rex begonias are semi-tropical and grow well in a plant container. Many people look to grow them for their aesthetic beauty. Some people also call them painted leaf begonias. Blooms of rex begonias are small, and most people grow them for their foliage. And these are not deer favorite.
Will Begonias Come Back After Deer Eat Them?
Yes, begonias may grow back if not eaten wholly by deer. If they are fully plunked out of the ground by deer, then you can’t do anything to bring them back. But if deer have eaten them from the sides, with a few leaves or flowers, then there are significant chances they will regrow. But you have to do some extra care for damaged begonias to bring them back.
Are Begonias Deer-Resistant or Deer-Repellent?
Begonias are deer-resistant, not deer-repellent. You need to understand this. Deer, when hungry, can even eat meat or birds. There are many incidents recorded of deer eating a bird which leads to the question; Are deer herbivores? The answer is yes, they are. Their prime diet consists of leaves, grass, and small plants. But if they are not able to find food for long periods, they are most likely to eat anything, even if they don’t like eating it. So, some begonias are deer resistant, but they are not deer repellent. Deer can eat them without any trouble, and you need to take proper care of your begonia garden from deer and other animals.
How can you Prevent Deer from Eating Begonias from your Garden?
1- Add Picky Foliage Plants to your Garden
Foliage plants make a great addition to your begonia garden if you’re looking for something leafy. They’re not only aesthetically pleasing, but they’re also unpalatable to deer. Adding them to your garden provides an extra layer of protection against pests nibbling away at the other plants in your space. Foliage plants come in all shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find one that fits in. Pick a variety that doesn’t require too much maintenance if you’re worried about maintenance; there are plenty of options out there!
2- Hang Bar Soaps Near Begonias
Bar soaps are deer repellents. Deer avoids their strong scent and pungent smell. So, these are also handy and cheap options to repel deer from your garden.
You can either hang soap pieces with begonia plants or place them around all corners of your garden.
3- Make Homemade Deer Repellent
Homemade deer repellents are also a good option to prevent deer from entering your garden. You can make a mixture of milk and beaten eggs; it will do the job. If you have deer frequently roaming through your garden, homemade deer repellents might be the answer you are looking for. Not only is this method efficient, but it is also non-toxic, making it a safe choice for those who want to keep their gardens deer-free. Furthermore, you’ll be able to easily make the spray as it only requires a few ingredients that are common in daily use.
4- Installation of High Fences
Although deer can jump quite high still, fences are a basic step to create a barrier between your begonia garden and deer. Install high fences around your garden to prevent deer entry. You should place fences at least 7 feet high to safeguard your garden.
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Hi, my name is Basit Ali Chaudhary. I am the guy behind Smart Bow Hunting. I started this blog as a way to share my passion for archery and bow hunting with the world. I love experimenting with new ventures and trying new things. Archery is my passion, and so is bow hunting.
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