Keeping Deer from Your Wildflowers

Deer Resistant Wildflower Seed Mix

 This mixture of annuals and perennials is a blend of garden flowers and wildflowers that are known to be resistant to deer browsing.  Keep in mind that if natural food supplies are low, or local populations of deer are dense, even these plants may be browsed by deer. Mix Contains Wild Bergamot, Blue Sage, California Poppy, Corn Poppy, Four O’Clocks, Foxglove, French Marigold, Gaura, Gold Yarrow, Lavender, Lavender Hyssop, Lemon Mint, Perennial Lupine, Rocket Larkspur, Sweet Alyssum and Sweet William Pinks  

Bee Balm / Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

A perennial flower, Wild Bergamot (A.K.A. Bee Balm) flowers from June to September and is native across much of North America. It thrives in full to partial sun and adapts well to a variety of soil types including sandy, clay, and loam soils with dry to moderate moisture. Commonly found in floodplains, open woodlands, and mesic prairies, it’s known for its gray-green foliage and pink to lavender blooms. The leaves have a distinct mint scent and can be used to make tea. A top-tier pollinator plant, it attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bumblebees, and other native bees. Seeds can be broadcast on a weed-free surface from January to mid-May in sunny locations. Once germinated, seedlings should be watered during extended dry periods. During the first summer of full growth, mow the area 3 to 5 times to keep plants between 4 and 8 inches tall and reduce weed pressure. Continue to add leaf mold or compost to the soil, as Wild Bergamot spreads easily through light soil. Recommended for home gardens, rain gardens, prairie mixes, and naturalized meadows. Height: 20–48 inches Color: Pink to Lavender (Purple range) Hardiness Zone: 3–9 Bloom Period: June–September (Summer) Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade Moisture: Dry to Moderate Lifespan: Perennial Seeds per Pound: 1,463,000 Seeding Rate: 1 oz. covers 4,000 sq. ft. | 0.5 lbs. per acre

Purple Coneflower Seed (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple Coneflower is a long-blooming, easy-to-grow native perennial found in open woods, thickets, and prairies throughout the central and eastern United States. It produces large, rose-purple blooms with prickly, dome-shaped centers—hence the alternate name “Hedgehog Coneflower.” Adaptable and hardy, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soil moisture from dry to moist conditions. Flowers attract butterflies, honey bees, and bumblebees, while its seeds are a valuable food source for goldfinches and other birds. It’s well suited for home gardens, prairie restorations, and pollinator plantings but should be established in a weed-free seedbed, as it doesn’t compete well with aggressive plants. Sow seed at a depth of 1/8–¼ inch for best results. Height: 24–36 inches Color: Purple Hardiness Zone: 3–9 Bloom Period: Summer Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade Moisture: Dry to Moist Lifespan: Perennial Seeds per Pound: 117,000 Seeding Rate: 1 oz. covers 250 sq. ft. | 11 lbs. per acre

Black-Eyed Susan Seed (Rudbeckia hirta)

A staple of American prairies and gardens alike, Black-Eyed Susan stands out with its golden-yellow petals and deep brown centers. This adaptable native thrives in full sun or light shade and handles everything from dry to moderately moist soils. Black-Eyed Susan is easily established with most critical area seeding techniques and is naturalized in most of the states east of Kansas and the bordering areas of Canada. It’s a reliable bloomer through summer into fall, drawing in bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while adding bold color and texture to any landscape. Height: 12–36 inches Color: Bright Yellow with Dark Center Hardiness Zone: 3–9 Bloom Period: Summer to Fall Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade Moisture: Dry to Moderate Lifespan: Annual, Biennial, or Short-Lived Perennial Seeds per Pound: 1,697,000 Seeding Rate: ½ oz. per 1,000 sq. ft. | 2 lbs. per acre