#darn deer

[untermyergardens]

A deer munching away. This young doe was about three yards from the gardener with the camera. She seemed entirely unconcerned about my presence.  

[untermyergardens]

Those of you who garden in areas with deer will recognize the damage to plants in these photos.  The top photo is a rose that was planted this summer.  After the most recent snow storm a deer wandered into the Walled Garden and browsed the new growth.  As this intrusion came after the snow, we could track it around the garden and see how much it ate in such a small amount of time.  In addition to this rose, it browsed five others, several hydrangeas, an azalea or two and a few other plants.  

The photo of the Y-shaped branch is from the westernmost of Untermyer's Color Gardens.  These areas are not yet planted largely because there is currently no way to exclude the deer.  The damaged branch is from a Silverbells tree (Halesia tetraptera, I think) that was cleared of vines and undergrowth this year.  The last picture is near where Untermyer's floral sundial once stood.

One of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's most recent goals was to raise funds for a deer fence to enclose vast sections of park so we can begin to clear and restore the gardens that existed in Samuel Untermyer's days.  Now that supporters have donated enough for the mile-long fence, we hope to start installation in the spring.