Are Blackberry Bushes Deer Resistant

Blackberry bushes are deer resistant to a degree, but they’re not completely deer-proof.

 

If you’ve been wondering whether blackberry bushes are deer resistant, the short answer is yes — deer usually avoid them because of the thorns and the bitter taste of the leaves.

 

That said, deer will still nibble on blackberry bushes when food is scarce or when they’re desperate for a snack.

 

So labeling blackberry bushes as fully deer resistant isn’t quite accurate either.

 

In this post, we’ll dig into why blackberry bushes are considered deer resistant, when deer will still eat them, and how to protect your blackberry bushes if Bambi comes calling.

 

Let’s get into it.

 

Why Blackberry Bushes Are Deer Resistant

Blackberry bushes are deer resistant for several reasons, and here’s why:

 

1. Thorns Make Them Unappealing

The biggest reason blackberry bushes are deer resistant is the thorns.

 

Most blackberry varieties are covered in sharp prickles that run along the canes and even under the leaves.

 

Deer don’t enjoy getting their noses and mouths scratched up while trying to eat, so they tend to pass on blackberry bushes entirely.

 

This natural defense is one of the main reasons gardeners plant blackberry bushes as a barrier crop.

 

2. Bitter, Astringent Leaves

Even if a deer gets past the thorns, the leaves of blackberry bushes aren’t exactly a tasty treat.

 

Blackberry leaves contain tannins that give them a bitter, astringent taste that deer find unappealing.

 

So when deer have plenty of other options like hostas, daylilies, or arborvitae, they’ll skip your blackberry bushes every time.

 

3. Deer Prefer Softer Plants

Deer are browsers by nature, and they gravitate toward soft, tender plants that are easy to chew and digest.

 

Blackberry bushes don’t fit that profile at all.

 

Their tough canes and leathery leaves require way more effort than deer want to put in when tastier food is nearby.

 

That’s why blackberry bushes are deer resistant in most gardens, especially when other food sources are around.

 

When Deer Will Still Eat Blackberry Bushes

Even though blackberry bushes are deer resistant most of the time, there are situations where deer will munch on them anyway, including:

 

1. During Food Scarcity

In late winter or early spring, when food is scarce, deer get desperate.

 

During these times, blackberry bushes may not look so bad after all.

 

Deer will browse on the tender new growth at the tips of the canes, thorns and all, especially if there’s nothing else around to eat.

 

 

2. When Blackberry Fruits Are Ripe

Deer love fruit, and ripe blackberries are no exception.

 

While the thorny canes of blackberry bushes keep deer from grazing on the leaves, the berries themselves are fair game once they ripen.

 

Deer will carefully stretch their necks to reach the fruit clusters without getting scratched.

 

So during berry season, blackberry bushes become a lot less deer resistant than usual.

 

3. If It’s a Thornless Variety

Here’s the thing: if you planted a thornless blackberry variety, all bets are off.

 

Thornless blackberry bushes lose the very feature that makes them deer resistant in the first place.

 

Without thorns, deer will treat your thornless blackberry bushes like any other leafy shrub and graze on them freely.

 

So if deer resistance is your goal, stick with thorny varieties of blackberry bushes.

 

How to Protect Blackberry Bushes From Deer

If you want to make sure your blackberry bushes stay as deer resistant as possible, try these tips:

 

1. Fence Them In

The most reliable way to protect blackberry bushes is with a fence.

 

An 8-foot fence works best since deer can easily clear shorter ones.

 

If a tall fence isn’t possible, a double fence — two shorter fences spaced a few feet apart — confuses deer and keeps them from jumping into your blackberry patch.

 

2. Use Deer Repellents

Spraying deer repellents around your blackberry bushes can help reinforce their natural deer resistance.

 

Look for repellents with ingredients like putrescent egg solids or capsaicin, and reapply after rain since the smell fades over time.

 

Rotate between different repellents so deer don’t get used to one scent.

 

3. Plant Deer-Resistant Companions

Surround your blackberry bushes with other deer-resistant plants like lavender, rosemary, or daffodils.

 

These plants create a natural barrier that makes deer think twice before wandering into your berry patch.

 

Combined with the thorns on your blackberry bushes, this layered approach works really well.

 

 

So, Are Blackberry Bushes Deer Resistant?

Blackberry bushes are deer resistant because their thorns and bitter leaves make them unappealing to deer most of the time.

 

But they’re not completely deer-proof, since deer will still eat blackberry bushes when food is scarce, when the berries are ripe, or when the bushes are a thornless variety.

 

So if you’ve been asking yourself whether blackberry bushes are deer resistant, the answer is a solid yes — with a few caveats worth keeping in mind.