Soft Touch Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Soft Touch’) is a fantastic shrub choice for gardens and landscapes. One of the key benefits of this plant is that it is deer resistant, which means that deer are less likely to eat it compared to other plants.
Deer can be a common nuisance in many gardens, often causing damage by browsing on plants and eating leaves, flowers, and even stems. This can be frustrating for gardeners who put a lot of time and effort into creating a beautiful landscape. However, there are certain plants, like Soft Touch Holly, that deer tend to avoid.
I have personally experienced the frustration of deer damage in my own garden. It can be disheartening to wake up and find your carefully tended plants chewed to the ground. That’s why I always recommend choosing deer-resistant plants like Soft Touch Holly to minimize the risk of deer feeding on your garden plants.
Soft Touch Holly has a number of features that make it less appealing to deer. Firstly, it has small, dense leaves that are not as palatable to deer as larger, softer leaves. Additionally, the dense growth habit of this shrub can make it less accessible to deer, as they prefer open areas where they can easily browse on plants.
In terms of its appearance, Soft Touch Holly is a beautiful shrub with a compact, rounded form. It has small, glossy, dark green leaves that give it a refined and elegant look. The leaves are reminiscent of boxwood, making it a great alternative for those looking for a deer-resistant substitute for boxwood hedges.
Soft Touch Holly is a moderate grower, reaching a height and width of around 2 to 3 feet. This makes it a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of garden settings, from borders and hedges to containers and foundation plantings. Its compact size also makes it easier to protect from deer browsing, as you can easily cover it with netting or use other deer deterrent methods.
It’s worth noting that while Soft Touch Holly is considered deer resistant, it doesn’t mean that deer will never eat it. In times of severe food scarcity or when deer populations are high, they may still nibble on this plant. However, compared to other plants that are highly favored by deer, Soft Touch Holly is a safer choice.
Soft Touch Holly is a fantastic shrub option for gardens and landscapes, especially for those dealing with deer issues. Its deer-resistant qualities, compact size, and attractive appearance make it a great addition to any garden. While it’s not completely immune to deer browsing, it is less likely to be eaten compared to other plants. So if you’re looking for a beautiful and deer-resistant shrub, Soft Touch Holly is definitely worth considering.
