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War has been declared.
Don't panic - we are not in imminent danger of nuclear
attack. This is my private war. The buds of my prized new
climbing roses were the final straw. Instead of a cascade of
apricot blooms flowing around the newly erected archway
there remain a few spiky twigs stripped of their greenery as
if they'd had a visit from an over-enthusiastic hairdresser.
I know the culprits. I used to think they were cute. I'm
wiser now. I realise that living in the country is not what
it's cracked up to be, especially where the garden is
concerned.
When we first moved here, it gave me such a thrill to open
the curtains in the morning and find a trio of deer
breakfasting on the lawn. The thrill was short-lived. They
seem to be extremely partial to the new shoots of
almost any expensive garden shrub - and rose buds are a
delicacy.
Four years of guerilla tactics on my part have not yielded
much success. |
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Roe Deer Eating Philadelphus |
I have tried most deterrents. Netting helps, but is unwieldy
and expensive over a large area. I've spent a fortune on all sorts of noxious sprays
and paints. Rags dipped in the stuff hanging like flags all
over the garden. They have proved excellent at repelling
humans, but not so the dear four-legged creatures.
Cunning
My cunning in these matters know no bounds. The obvious
solution - plant only those horticultural species which our furry friends don't like.
Click here for a
list of plants that deer don't usually eat.
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