Camellia Bush & Deer

Considerations

• Though deer do not favor camellias, its important to note that no plants are 100 percent deer-proof. Hungry, desperate deer will put their preferences aside and nibble on any plant. In spring, when growth is tender and new, deer will eat almost any plant. They are especially partial to flower buds and lush plants that are frequently watered and fertilized. Plants that are being damaged by deer, as opposed to rabbits or rodents, will have a shredded, jagged appearance.

Landscaping

• Changes in landscaping can help prevent deer problems. Move plants that are regularly fed on by deer closer to the house and protect them behind a fence. Consider growing plants that deer prefer on the outskirts of your garden so they'll feed on those, rather than the flower buds of your camellia shrub. Some plants that deer like include dandelions (Taraxacum spp.), which grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 9 and yarrow (Achillea millefolium), which grows in USDA zones 4 to 8. Deer dislike plants that are poisonous, strongly scented, hairy or prickly. These types of plants can act as natural barriers when strategically planted.

Repellant

• If you have a serious deer problem, you may want to apply a contact repellent to your camellia to make it taste bad. Colorado State University recommends spraying the shrub on a dry day, when temperatures are above freezing, with a mixture that is 20 percent egg and 80 percent water. It is especially important to cover new, succulent growth. To avoid clogging the sprayer, remove the white membrane attached to the egg yolk before you mix the egg with water.

Culture

• Camellias grow in USDA zones 7 through 8, where they do best in a sheltered spot with partial or filtered sunlight. If you're planting multiple shrubs, allow at least 6 feet of space. Camellias require a well-draining soil enhanced generously with organic material such as leaf mold. Aerate and remove rocks from heavy, clay-based soils. Water camellias regularly throughout the growing season to ensure best growth and mulch them in spring with 3 to 4 inches of leaf mold or chipped bark to retain moisture.