Aromatic Herbs for Deer Control

About Aromatic Herbs for Deer Control

Deer-resistant ground covers need not just sit there and look pretty. Many herbs make great ground covers and bring much more than just visual interest to the landscape. Besides being ornamental, herbs can be edible and can have medicinal uses. The herbs discussed here are all aromatic but not to deer, who refuse to eat them precisely because of their smell.
Catnip: Nepeta cataria, as well as the various other types of "catmint," may not be aromatic to deer, but humans find their fragrances pleasing. Catnip is not just for cats—it has medicinal uses for humans, as well. Tea made from the leaves and flowers of this herbaceous perennial has traditionally been used to relieve coughs. Sun or part shade is best for growing catnip, and it is not overly particular about soil conditions, so long as the soil is well-drained and slightly alkaline. It can be grown in zones 3 to 9. Catnip can attain a size of 3 feet by 3 feet.
Sweet woodruff: Galium odoratum, like catnip, is an aromatic perennial for zones 4 to 8. It has a white bloom and reaches 8 to 12 inches in height (with a slightly greater width). This perennial ground cover is a shade-lover. Like most herbs, it requires good drainage and slightly acidic soil. Somewhat invasive, sweet woodruff spreads to form a mat over the patch of landscaping that it conquers. Plant this old-time favorite in dry shade if you do not want it to spread. A lower level of moisture makes it less invasive. The intensity of the fragrance of sweet woodruff's foliage increases when dried, and its aromatic quality lasts for years. It is a favorite in potpourris.
Common thyme: Thymus vulgaris has a pleasing fragrance, is drought-tolerant and tends to stay shorter than catnip and sweet woodruff (about 6 inches tall with a similar spread). It is an herbaceous perennial in zones 5 to 9. Although it does flower, it is grown mainly for its delicate foliage, edible uses, and aromatic quality. Thyme likes full sun and good drainage. An ideal ground cover to plant in the cracks of a flagstone patio or stone walkway, or between garden stepping stones, is common thyme's relative, woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus). Woolly thyme is one of the creeping varieties of thyme.