My husband and I purchased our home about 1.7 years ago. There was nothing in the yard except a clump of three trees (which two of them blew down) and an over grown bush that my dog ate. We have planted several trees since. Most of them have been decorative snow crabs and crab apples. I have been able to keep all of them alive and healthy. Unfortunately, anything else like shrubs or other plants die or are eaten by deer, rabbits and our dogs. Any suggestions on what to plant that would be low maintainance and would live in Helena Montana would help a lot.
You must protect your plantings with fencing before throwing anymore money away on replacement specimens. http://gardenguide.montana.edu/
during the winter months I cover all of the plants with several inches of mulch, and for the taller plants I cover them with tarps and/or the large pots that the trees came in also. This is what the local nursery told me to do. Also we put in a 6 foot fence around our property. I am just at a loss, and appreciate any help.
Ron is right, protect the plants from animals! A 6' fence is not enough for deer. In the east, a 10' fence is required. It doesn't need to be a solid fence though, electric wire could be used to 'extend' the 6' height. There is lots of literature on the Net about deer fencing. For the rabbits, they have their prefered shrubs and trees. Protecting them with treeguards and Scoot (a foul tasting latex paint) will help. The Scoot will also discourage the deer unless there is a huge shortage of available food. Can't help you with the dogs though. If you can get through a winter or two with minimal damage, start replanting. Simon
Hi Finger, Here's a some lists of plants that deer generally won't eat. You will have to check the list against what is hardy in your zone. http://www.lazyssfarm.com/Plants/Deer_Resistant_Plants.htm http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/ec/ec1440/#anchor1264472 http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/treeshru/resistan.htm Here's a list of plants that rabbits tend not to eat. http://www.highcountrygardens.com/library/view/article/228/ http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/YGLNews/YGLN-July0102.html#wasps http://www.complete-gardens.co.uk/online/online-gardening-plant-solutions-category.php?cat=15 Newt
I've looked at lists of deer-resistant plants elsewhere and found things they go for on sites I have been involved with. It's just too unpredictable. Recently I saw the observation that individual deer have different tastes, as we do. Then there is the chronic problem of them actually not being able to find enough wild browse during winter, despite being native to cold climates. Starving deer will come into a planted areas and eat things to the quick that are ignored the rest of the time. Put your money and effort into deer fencing and don't mess around.
Ron, those sites that I gave do state what you've just said. I agree that a deer fence is the best idea. Newt
