Will Deer Eat Black-Eyed Susans? (The Answer May Surprise You!)

Will Deer Eat Black Eyed Susans?

Black eyed Susans are a popular garden flower, but what about deer? Will they eat these beautiful blooms? The answer is: it depends.

In some cases, deer will eat black eyed Susans. However, in other cases, they will leave them alone. There are a few factors that can affect whether or not deer will eat black eyed Susans, including the time of year, the location of the flowers, and the overall health of the plants.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the relationship between deer and black eyed Susans. We will discuss the factors that affect whether or not deer will eat these flowers, and we will provide tips on how to protect your black eyed Susans from deer damage.

Question	Answer	Source
Will deer eat black eyed susan?	Yes	The Spruce
Why do deer eat black eyed susan?	For the nutrients	The Spruce
How can I protect my black eyed susans from deer?	Fencing, repellents, and covers	The Spruce

What is a black-eyed Susan?

A black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a herbaceous perennial plant in the aster family Asteraceae. It is native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to Texas. The plant is named for its yellow petals with a dark brown center, which resembles a black eye.

Black-eyed Susans are easy to grow and are popular garden flowers. They are drought-tolerant and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. The plants typically grow to be 2-3 feet tall and produce yellow flowers in late summer and early fall.

Black-eyed Susans are also attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. The flowers are a source of nectar for these insects, which help to pollinate the plants.

Do deer eat black-eyed Susans?

Yes, deer will eat black-eyed Susans. The plants are a source of food for deer, especially during the winter months when other food sources are scarce. Deer will eat the leaves, stems, and flowers of black-eyed Susans.

Deer can cause significant damage to black-eyed Susans, especially if they are not protected. If you have black-eyed Susans in your garden, you may need to take steps to protect them from deer, such as using a deer repellent or fencing the plants.

Here are some tips for protecting black-eyed Susans from deer:

• Use a deer repellent. There are a variety of deer repellents available on the market. These repellents can be sprayed on the plants or applied to the soil around the plants.
• Fence the plants. If you have a large garden, you may want to consider fencing in the area where you are growing black-eyed Susans. This will keep deer from being able to access the plants.
• Plant black-eyed Susans in pots. If you have a small garden or if you live in an area with a high deer population, you may want to consider planting black-eyed Susans in pots. This will allow you to move the pots inside if necessary to protect the plants from deer.

By following these tips, you can help to protect your black-eyed Susans from deer damage.

Black-eyed Susans are beautiful and easy-to-grow flowers that are a popular addition to gardens. However, deer can be a problem for black-eyed Susans, as they will eat the plants. There are a variety of ways to protect black-eyed Susans from deer, such as using a deer repellent, fencing the plants, or planting them in pots. By following these tips, you can help to keep your black-eyed Susans safe from deer damage.

Will Deer Eat Black Eyed Susans?

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are a popular garden flower, but they can also be a tasty treat for deer. Deer are herbivores, and they will eat a variety of plants, including black-eyed Susans. If you have a garden with black-eyed Susans, you may find that the deer eat them before they have a chance to bloom.

What do deer look for when choosing plants to eat?

Deer are attracted to plants that are young, tender, and nutritious. Black-eyed Susans are all of these things, so they are a prime target for deer. Deer will also eat black-eyed Susans that are wilted or damaged.

How can you tell if deer have been eating your black-eyed Susans?

There are a few signs that can indicate that deer have been eating your black-eyed Susans. These include:

• The leaves of the plants will be torn or chewed.
• The flowers will be missing.
• The stems of the plants will be broken.
• The plants will be wilted or damaged.

What can you do to protect your black-eyed Susans from deer?

There are a few things you can do to protect your black-eyed Susans from deer. These include:

• Fencing. The most effective way to keep deer out of your garden is to install a fence. The fence should be at least 8 feet tall and should be made of a material that deer cannot see through, such as metal or plastic.
• Motion-activated sprinklers. Motion-activated sprinklers can be a good way to deter deer from your garden. The sprinklers will spray water when they detect movement, which will scare the deer away.
• Repellents. There are a variety of deer repellents available on the market. These repellents can be sprayed on the plants or applied to the soil. They work by making the plants taste bad to deer.
• Covering the plants. You can also cover your black-eyed Susans with a mesh or netting to keep deer from eating them.

Additional resources

• [How to Keep Deer Out of Your Garden](https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-keep-deer-out-of-your-garden-5110070)
• [Deer Repellents That Really Work](https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/pests/deer-repellents-that-really-work.htm)
• [How to Protect Your Plants from Deer](https://www.almanac.com/garden/pests-and-problems/how-protect-your-plants-deer)

Black-eyed Susans are a beautiful addition to any garden, but they can also be a target for deer. By following the tips in this article, you can help to protect your black-eyed Susans from deer and enjoy their beautiful blooms all season long.

Will deer eat black eyed Susans?

Black eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are a popular garden flower, but deer can and will eat them. Deer are herbivores and their diet consists mainly of plants. They will eat a variety of flowers, including black eyed Susans. If you have a garden with black eyed Susans, you may want to take steps to protect them from deer, such as using a deer repellent or fencing them in.

What can I do to protect my black eyed Susans from deer?

There are a few things you can do to protect your black eyed Susans from deer.

• Use a deer repellent. There are a variety of deer repellents available on the market. These repellents can be sprayed on the plants or applied as a granular product.
• Fencing in your garden. If you have a large garden, you may want to consider fencing it in to keep deer out. Make sure the fence is at least 8 feet tall and that the bottom is buried in the ground to prevent deer from digging under it.
• Plant deer-resistant plants. There are a number of plants that deer do not like to eat. These include lavender, rosemary, thyme, and marigolds.

How can I tell if deer have been eating my black eyed Susans?

There are a few signs that can indicate that deer have been eating your black eyed Susans.

• Leaves and petals will be missing. Deer will eat the leaves and petals of black eyed Susans, leaving behind the stems.
• The plants will be wilted. Deer can eat a lot of plants in a short amount of time, and this can cause the plants to wilt.
• The plants will be stunted. Deer can eat the new growth of black eyed Susans, which can stunt the plants’ growth.

What can I do if deer have eaten my black eyed Susans?

If deer have eaten your black eyed Susans, there are a few things you can do.

• Replant your black eyed Susans. If the plants are not too badly damaged, you can replant them. Make sure to water them regularly and fertilize them as needed.
• Use a deer repellent. If you have already had problems with deer eating your black eyed Susans, you may want to use a deer repellent to deter them from eating them in the future.
• Fencing in your garden. If you have a large garden, you may want to consider fencing it in to keep deer out. Make sure the fence is at least 8 feet tall and that the bottom is buried in the ground to prevent deer from digging under it.

Will deer eat other plants in my garden?

In addition to black eyed Susans, deer will eat a variety of other plants in your garden. These include:

• Daisies
• Daffodils
• Tulips
• Roses
• Hostas
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Corn
• Grapes

If you have a garden with a lot of deer activity, you may want to consider planting deer-resistant plants. These plants are less likely to be eaten by deer, and can help to keep your garden looking beautiful.

black-eyed Susans are not a preferred food for deer, but they will eat them if other food sources are scarce. The flowers contain a toxin that can cause stomach upset in deer, but it is not fatal. If you have a black-eyed Susan garden, you can deter deer by using deer repellents, fencing, or planting other plants that deer prefer.