The Popular Shrub You Can Grow That Pollinators Love & Deer Don't Like

Putting in beautiful landscaping only to have it nibbled away by deer can be a costly and disappointing mistake. It can be even more upsetting if you'd specifically chosen your landscaping plants to benefit your local pollinators. While there are a variety of natural ingredients that can repel deer from your yard, sometimes the easiest solution is to simply landscape with plants they don't like. Luckily, not only is witch hazel (Hamamelis spp.) deer resistant, but it's also a huge hit with pollinators.

While there are a few different species of witch hazel, many are native to North America, including common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Common witch hazels normally grow to heights of over 15 feet, but there are cultivars like 'Little Suzie' that stay at a more manageable size of around 5 feet, so you're sure to find one that's a good fit for your yard. Part of the reason that witch hazels are so beloved by pollinators is that they don't bloom until autumn or winter, after many other flowers are long finished for the season.

While different species have somewhat different hardiness levels, common witch hazel thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. Regardless of the specific species, be sure to plant your witch hazel in partial shade to full sun and provide it with well-draining soil. Make sure to give your witch hazel some water if you haven't gotten any rain for a while, as they prefer moist soil.

You could easily landscape just with different species and cultivars of witch hazel, with common witch hazel providing uniquely shaped yellow flowers in autumn and hybrid witch hazel (Hamamelis × intermedia) giving you red or yellow flowers in winter. Alternatively, you could complement your witch hazel with other deer-resistant shrubs to protect your garden. Consider also adding in some perennial summer blooming flowers like salvias, which are as beloved by pollinators as they are despised by deer. This will create a garden that has food for pollinators and beauty for you, regardless of the season.