Lithodora is a flowering plant in the borage family (Boraginaceae). This plant species is a low-growing, evergreen shrub that is native to southwestern Europe, southern Greece, Turkey, and Algeria. The most common lithodora species is called Lithodora diffusa. Lithodora is a great plant to use in rock gardens, as an edging plant, and as a ground cover. Also a great option for containers and hanging baskets.
In this article, I will explain if Lithodora is deer resistant or not.
Table of Contents
Is Lithodora deer resistant?
Yes. Lithodora is considered a deer-resistant perennial. Deer usually don’t eat Lithodora. But remember, Lithodora is not deer-proof. It is just resistant to deer.
Deer can eat Lithodora especially if their natural food supply is scarce. So, it is important to consider this factor when growing this plant in areas with a high deer population.
Is Lithodora rabbit resistant?
Lithodora is resistant to rabbits. Rabbits usually don’t touch Lithodora. But again, rabbits can eat if there is no food for them.
How to protect Lithodora from deer and rabbits?
If for some reason, your plants are eaten by deer or rabbit, you can do a few things to stop them from eating again.
- Use fences all around your garden. This will stop deer and rabbits from entering the garden. This is the best option to protect your plants and crops. However, it is also the most expensive. The height of the fence should be at least six feet or the deer will jump over it. If you want something for rabbits only, use this FXW Decorative Garden Metal Fence. It is a cheaper option that looks good.
- Have a dog. Dogs scare both rabbits and deer away from your garden.
- Use automatic sprinklers with motion sensors. These sprinklers will activate whenever someone gets close to them.
- Use sirens and ultrasonic devices to scare them away. I recommend this device.
- Plant Lithodora in protected spaces or in hanging baskets.
- Use DIY or commercial deer repellants. There are so many options. So, choose something that suits your needs. I will list some that I recommend.
Do snails and slugs eat Lithodora?
Slugs and snails can sometimes attack and damage young Lithodora plants. But they usually don’t eat mature, more established plants. If you have a problem with snails and slugs, do the following to get rid of them from your garden.
- Handpick and remove them. Best done at night.
- Keep your garden clean. Don’t pile up dry leaves and dead plants. Throw them away or compost them. These are breeding grounds for slugs and snails.
- Raise chickens. Chicken hunt down these pests. However, there is also a risk behind this. Chickens can be infected with tapeworms.
- Attract birds to your garden. Feeding and providing them with a bird bath are easy ways to attract them.
- Use slug and snail repellants. This is an easy and passive way to get rid of slugs and snails. I recommend using Garden Safe Slug & Snail Bait or Corry’s Slug & Snail Killer.
Is there any other animal that eats Lithodora?
Generally speaking NO. Lithodora is usually not favored by any animal. So, it is resistant to most common animals. You should be on the safe side even if you are nearby a wildlife hotspot. 🙂
Other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Lithodora edible?
Lithodora is not an edible plant. It should not be consumed by humans or pets.
Is Lithodora poisonous to dogs?
Lithodora is not considered poisonous to dogs, cats, chickens, or any other animal. However, you should not let your pets eat them since it can cause problems with digestion.
Is Lithodora same as Lobelia?
Lithodora is not the same as Lobelia. They are two different plants but are confused as one by many gardeners. Both have blue flowers but Lobelia belongs to the bellflower family.
Is Lithodora invasive?
Lithodora is considered a non-invasive plant. It self-seeds and can spread quite fast.
Last update on 2024-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
