Heliopsis are colorful flowering plants that can beautify your environment. They are also known as false sunflowers because of their close appearance to sunflowers (Helianthus). However, they are just as colorful, with a blend of green leaves and yellow flowers. However, there are concerns about planting if you have deer in your area. So, do deer eat heliopsis?
This article will answer your question about the relationship between deer and heliopsis. It also contains tips on how to care for your beautiful false sunflowers. You will know all you need about keeping deer away at the end of this read.
Read: Do Deer Eat Azaleas?
Is Heliopsis Deer-Resistant?
Heliopsis is a smart option when looking to plant deer-resistant flowers. The plant will thrive in environments where there are deer. They are not top on the list of plants a deer would love to eat. These plants are hardy with delicate parts. The hardy texture is a key reason why they are deer resistant. However, the young heliopsis is prone to deer consumption.
Deer are herbivores that prefer soft and chewable plants to hardy ones. Young grass, shrubs, and branches of woody plants are some of the animal’s favorites. Hence it is understandable that hardy plants like Heliopsis are deer resistant.
However, note that heliopsis is not deer-proof. They do not have toxins that will keep deer away. Hence, you might find deer eating a young Heliopsis plant in rare cases. However, this only happens when the deer is hungry and there are no other suitable options around. A common incident is when deer pull the plant off the ground when looking for food.
Hence, it would be best if you still protected your heliopsis from deer, especially when the plant is still young.
Is Heliopsis Rabbit-Resistant?
Rabbits also avoid heliopsis for the same reason as deer. The plant’s rugged and rough nature makes it unpalatable for this animal too. Mature plants are too hardy for rabbits. Hence they prefer to feed on more suitable forages.
In some cases, the rabbit might feed on growing stems of heliopsis. The plant is yet to develop enough hardiness to resist several herbivores.
Are Hellebores Perennials?
Hellebores are perennial plants that remain green and fresh through the different seasons. They remain and thrive over the years and continue to grow. Hellebores have about 20 species of green flowering plants. The Christmas Rose is a popular pick in this group.
Generally, the various species of hellebores tend to flower from mid-winter to early spring. There are variations based on region. Hellebores in warmer zones tend to flower for more extended periods from November to April. Those in colder regions bloom for a few months and stop. But they remain green through these periods.
Read: Do Deer Eat Begonias?
Caring for Heliopsis
A beautiful fact about heliopsis is that you can easily care for and maintain this plant for a long time. The plant has a wide range of acceptable growing conditions. It will bloom and thrive in different situations. The ease of growth and its use in resisting several animals makes it a smart pick for your garden.
However, to get the best result when growing this plant, there are certain practices you need to keep in mind. It is crucial when Heliopsis is at its infant stage and has yet to grow a strong root network. Here are some caring practices for your garden heliopsis:
Light
This plant thrives when there is proper exposure to sunlight. They prefer to have a direct supply. While the plant will also grow in the shade, it is better when there is none. Heliopsis growing in the shade often develop thin and weak stalks and stems. Planting at
Soil
Heliopsis can grow on different types of soil. The choices range from humus soil to clay soil. As long the plant can form strong root networks, it continues to grow. It can also thrive on sandy soils. However, the best growing condition is in loamy soil with slight acidity. The best acidity level is between 5.5 to 7.0.
Read: Do Deer Eat Acorns?
Water
These plants prefer moist or well-drained soils for growth. During summer, there is no need to water the soil because the weather conditions during that season are enough for the plant to thrive. In dry conditions, interval watering to keep the soil moist is advisable.
But here is a fun fact. False sunflowers are deer resistant, but it doesn’t end there. They are also drought resistant. Their tolerance to drought is a key reason they thrive as perennial plants.
Temperature
It is necessary to consider the growth temperature when planting indoors and in a controlled environment. The temperature should be around 70°F for germinating seeds. It is best to maintain this temperature at these early stages. Mature plants can thrive in higher temperatures.
Pruning
Pruning is essential to maintaining Heliopsis’s beauty and shape in a garden. Pruning is a practice where you cut off excess or unattractive parts of a plant to maintain its desired shape. It is a common practice for flowers, and Heliopsis is no exception.
Heliopsis, find it easy to grow by self-propagation, and soon they take up places in the yard. It is also a perennial plant. Hence it keeps on growing. The best time to prune is before the growth sprout in summer. Depending on the growth level, you can cut off up to 50% of the plant. Prune every year to keep the plant in shape. They can be invasive when there is no pruning.
Flowering
Heliopsis flower during the summer and into early autumn or fall. These flowers are colorful and prominent. They often cover the tiny flowers and serve as points of attraction. There are no particular maintenance practices in the flowering season. However, keeping the soil moist during this period can help the flowering.
Fertilizer
The addition of fertilizer is not a necessary practice for this plant. Considering its ability to thrive in different conditions, you don’t need fertilizer for its growth. Indoor planting of seeds only requires a chunk of loamy soil, and you are good to go.
These are the general practices when caring for this plant from infancy to maturity. Generally, it is good to give room on either side for expansion. As such, there should be at least 2 feet between each seed. The plant’s growth pattern and its tendency to grow into a bush is the reason for this spacing. Soon they feel up the place with a mixture of green leaves and yellow flowers.
Will Heliopsis Come Back After Deer Eat Them?
Heliopsis will grow back to its mature size if and after deer eat them. It is pretty easy for Heliopsis to grow back for different reasons. New plants can grow from the seeds that might fall when deer eat the mature stem. This plant can also grow new shoots from old stems through the pruning process.
Hence, it will take more than deer eating your plant to prevent its growth. They can thrive in adverse conditions. This property makes them a suitable plant for your garden and areas where you find deer.
How To Keep Deer Away From heliopsis?
Protecting Heliopsis from deer is a necessary practice that ensures proper growth. These false sunflowers are deer-resistant, but extra caution is never too much. Hence, several practical steps can help you achieve this.
They are as follows:
Grow Deer Resistant Flowers
Heliopsis is not the only deer-resistant flower. There are several others, and they serve the same function: to keep the deer away. Planting variety can help to increase the chances of keeping deer away and achieve a more satisfying result.
The good news is that there are other flowers on the deer-resistant list. So you don’t have to sacrifice beauty to get a good result. Begonias are another example of a flowering plant that is deer resistant.
Use Distinct Smells
Deer’s sensitivity to smell is another feature you can use to keep them away from the farm. Planting crops or flowers with distinct smells in and around the group of Heliopsis can help keep deer away.
One good example that works where deer is concerned is garlic. You can plant garlic inside in between the false sunflower to give it a boost. Spraying the leaves with garlic water is another option for you.
Another form of repellant is the use of soap bars in the yard. It is a simple yet effective way to keep the deer away. Get bar soap of small sizes, and make a hole through the soap.
Hang the soap around the yard over areas where you plant the Heliopsis. The smell of soap deters deer and discourages them from eating your flowers. The practice has shown that using soap bars as a repellant is effective.
Fencing for Protection
Fencing is the ultimate protection practice for keeping deer out of your yard. The good news is that there are options when looking to build a yard fence. Some fences have spaces at intervals that help reveal the beauty in the yard. However, these spaces are not wide enough for a deer. Hence there is protection for the plants.
Summary
Heliopsis will grow and thrive even in areas where there are deer. The goal is to keep them alive and healthy till maturity. Mature plants have a hardy texture that is highly resistant to deer. But that young ones need certain care practices to help them grow. Here are some crucial points to note about Heliopsis:
- Expose the plant to direct sunlight
- Keep the soil moist during dry conditions
- Loamy soil with slight acidity is the best
- Temperature regulation is necessary for young plants
- Pruning helps to keep the plant in shape.
- There is no special need for fertilizer.
Plant and care for young heliopsis using the tips above. Watch them grow under care and protection. Soon you will have a whole field of yellow perennial plants.