I planted these four inkberry bushes along my driveway late last summer. I knew they were considered "deer resistant" and failed to account for the fact that after everything else died back, the deer would come for them (I generally keep my garden safe with deer spray but did not protect these guys). And indeed as you see they were completely stripped some time in the fall. It's been months and they are still very much alive but nary a leaf to be seen among the four. I figure if they're alive, they'll eventually recover, but I'm a bit disheartened that it's nearly mid-May and there's not even evidence of a bud. What do we think? Are they goners? Should I cut my losses and start over with new bushes? Thanks for the help.
by one_long_river
4 Comments
Not promising
Inkberry can handle heavy pruning so if it’s reasonably established it might be ok. Looks like you’ve even got some new leaves emerging in places.
But I would heavily consider caging them for a few seasons.
It’s possible. It might also resprout from the roots. I’d cage them as others have recommended.
Mine bounced back. I read it can take until June or longer to leaf out again. I’m south of you in Virginia and mine started growing leaves again last month after looking just like yours. We put a tomato cage around it to keep the browsing down. Sometimes we run some dental floss on the top so they can’t just stick their head inside to browse.
You and I both have the bigger question of whether we want to keep something this keeps happening to. I’m not finding deer spray to be helpful lately either. But some plants are no longer as tempting once they’re mature.