April’s yellow flowers

Wimberley gardeners often complain about deer consuming their plants, often asking about deer resistance when considering introducing a new plant.

Deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough, but most deer do not like plants with a strong scent or a fuzzy texture. I firmly believe that deer have cultures similar to people. Some people like spicy food and others prefer bland flavors. Likewise, your deer might not eat a particular kind of plant, and in another neighborhood, the deer might eat it all.

Two currently blooming yellow plants that are generally deer resistant are Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) and Jerusalem Sage. Both are evergreen and drought tolerant.

Damianita grows about a foot tall and has a strong scent when touched. A friend recently told me that she is careful not to touch it because it produces a rash on her skin. The leaves are needle-like and dark green. This native plant never needs maintenance, except possibly to trim back old wood. It spreads readily by seeds if it has rocky soil to land on. I have trimmed the seeds off and thrown them on the ground where I wanted more Damianita. On La Toya Trail, leading up to the public stairs on Old Baldy, you can see Damianita growing on the hillside.

Jerusalem Sage is not native, but it adapted to our environment. The ice storm, drought and heat have not prevented it from producing its lovely yellow flowers year after year. April is its big blooming period with shrubs that can grow to about 4-5 feet wide and high. I have read that if you cut the blossoms in the spring that it will bloom again that season.

Both Damianita and Jerusalem Sage will grow in poor soil. They must have good drainage and like full sun. They can be purchased at a plant nursery.