Do Deer Eat Climbing Roses? How to Protect Your Vining Blooms

Climbing roses are prized for their ability to cover walls, trellises, and arbors with cascades of colorful, fragrant blooms. But these vining beauties attract more than just admiring glances – they also entice foraging deer. If you’ve ever had the heartbreak of finding your climbing roses stripped overnight, you’re not alone. Deer love both the flowers and foliage of these plants.

As an avid rose gardener I’ve dealt with deer nibbling on my highly coveted David Austin and hybrid tea roses. But the damage they inflict on climbing varieties seems especially devastating since these roses are showstoppers when in full bloom. After researching and testing solutions, here is what I’ve learned about protecting climbing roses from hungry deer.

Do Deer Specifically Target Climbing Roses?

Deer don’t discriminate – they will happily devour any type of rose. Various species like Rosa rugosa (rugosa rose) and older shrub types tend to be less appealing but no rose is totally deer proof. Deer are attracted to the tender new growth and soft blooms that climbing roses produce in abundance.

Since climbing roses are trained to spread out, they also provide more access for deer to munch. The vining structure gives deer easy access to flowers both low and high. So these roses do seem to receive more damage, simply due to their growth habit.

Signs Your Climbers Have Been Hit

How do you know if deer have been feasting on your prized climbing roses overnight? Look for these telltale signs of damage:

• Stripped leaves, buds and branches with ragged edges
• Missing or partially eaten flower blooms
• Twigs and stems snapped as deer try to reach further
• Shredded and browsed shoots low on the plant
• New growth or entire young plants eaten

Deer tend to nibble lighter at first, then become bolder and consume more plant material over time. So early prevention is key before major devastation occurs.

Protecting Your Climbing Roses

If deer frequent your area, don’t wait until after planting climbing roses to consider protection. Take these proactive steps:

Choose deer-resistant varieties

Some types of climbing roses are naturally less palatable to deer. Rugosa hybrids like the Blanc Double de Coubert are recommended, as are very thorny roses like Zephirine Drouhin. Opt for fragrant old roses over modern breeds.

Use repellents

Spraying climbing roses with organic repellents containing putrescent egg solids, garlic, or capsaicin (the chemical in hot peppers) can deter deer from browsing. Reapply frequently.

Add deterrents

Place bars of strongly scented soap, bags of human hair, or natural predators’ hair (like dogs’ or coyotes’) in mesh bags among your climbing roses. Deer dislike the smell.

Use fencing

Install tall fencing around your climbing roses or entire garden. A 7-8 foot tall woven wire or wood fence anchored into the ground works best to keep deer from jumping in.

Scare them away

Use motion-activated sprinklers, lighting, or noise-making devices to startle deer and make them avoid the area. Just be aware deer can become accustomed to them over time.

Let dogs patrol

Allowing dogs access to your garden keeps most deer away, provided the dogs are active and vocal. Their presence and scent deters deer from entering.

Apply taste deterrents

Spraying a foul-tasting but non-toxic liquid onto plants makes deer associate an unpleasant flavor with browsing your roses. Reapply frequently as desired.

Protecting New Growth

Take extra steps to safeguard newly planted climbing rose bushes, as these are most vulnerable. Here are some tips:

• Cover new plants with plastic tree guards or wire cages to prevent deer from eating growth. Remove once plants mature.

• Place each new climber inside a larger wire cage and anchor into the ground. This gives a buffer of space so deer can’t reach the plant.

• Wrap lower 2-3 feet of plant with protective tape, pipe insulation, or aluminum foil to block access.

• Stake tall vertical posts on either side of plant and run twine back and forth to create a grid that blocks deer from squeezing in.

Repairing Damage

If your climbing roses do suffer damage, promptly prune any broken canes or stems damaged by deer. Remove the browsed parts back to healthy wood. Apply a natural fungicide to cut areas to prevent disease.

Water and fertilize lightly to help regrowth. But don’t over-fertilize, as this can stress the plant further. Give climbing roses time to recover their strength before expecting blooms the next season.

Stay Vigilant Against Deer Damage

While no rose is totally deer proof, you can take steps to safeguard your climbing roses from becoming an all-you-can-eat deer buffet. Take a proactive approach by fencing, using deterrents, and choosing more resistant varieties. Check plants daily for damage and be prepared to take action at the first signs of deer browsing.

With persistence and diligence, you can continue growing beautiful climbing rose plants even in deer prone areas. Don’t let Bambi bully your roses – fight back and protect those glorious blooms using humane methods for deterring deer.