Hellebore is poisonous to mammals, making them highly deer resistant. No plants are “deer-proof”, because very hungry deer may eat them if desperate enough for food.
According to Rutgers University, this plant is rarely damaged on their rating scale from Rarely Damaged to Frequently Severely Damaged. There are very few plants in the Rarely Damaged category, so you can feel good about planting these and not having them become deer food.
| Rarely Damaged |
| Seldom Severely Damaged |
| Occasionally Severely Damaged |
| Frequently Severely Damaged |
How To Keep Deer Away From Hellebore?
Most of the time deer will avoid eating hellebore leaves, stems, and flowers. If deer browsing becomes a problem, grow hellebore inside a fenced-in area or use a scented deterrent. You will need to mix up the deterrent scent every few weeks for it to be effective.
Will Hellebore Come Back After Deer Eat Them?
Hellebore will grow back if the plant’s crown has not been damaged or eaten. If flower buds have been eaten, the hellebore may not bloom again until the following year.
Sources: Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station ‘Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance’ 2018
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Author Maureen Farmer - Published 07-04-2022 |