Lucas House Diary: June 29, 2025

This is the month that the garden feels like it’s getting established. There are two reasons for this: First, it’s time… we’re starting the third year of the garden now. Second, I have added some shrubs.

Deer and rabbits continue to be a problem, although I am seeing fewer than last year. But I can see they’ve been there: they bite off the flower buds of supposedly deer-resistant plants, and they’ve eaten many (all?) the leaves from some shrubs.

I’m getting smarter though.

I installed two Serviceberry trees this month. Yes, trees are more expensive, but most of the foliage is out of the reach of deer. The bottom branches have been eaten, the top are just fine.

I’ve added a few Anise Hyssop perennials. These are known to be deer-resistant. So far, so good.

I’m experimenting with shrubs. Spicebush is standing up well. Ninebark has been nibbled a bit but not catastrophically. Black Chokeberry was eaten quite substantially but not enough for me to be worried. On the other hand, the Alternative-leaved Dogwood I planted was pretty much defoliated on the first night! The leaves are starting to come back now.

I’ve been smarter with applying Bobbex. You gotta keep on it. Last year I kept forgetting.

All, in all, I’m happy. The ground is really filling in. Some plants are flowering when they didn’t last year (e.g. Hairy Beardtongue) and new plants are flowering (e.g. Harebell). Budding up are Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Mountain Mint, Pale Purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan.

I’m starting to get a good idea now of what it takes to garden in the face of deer and rabbits. More experimenting to come. Stay tuned!