The deer have come right up to my house and eaten my Nelly Moser right down to the ground. I'm betting it will grow back, but will it make flowers this year?
Oops...correction I think I spelled the name wrong.
This message was edited Mar 11, 2007 6:54 PM
Help with Nellie Moser
Most likely your Clem. will recover quickly; provided that the root was not pulled up and eaten. Be sure to mulch the base back if the deers have disturbed the soil around its roots. Planting Japanese Barberry (any dwarf cultivar) around the clem, and other perenials will also help deters the deers. (Barberry, has fine thorns, worse than that of roses) and has attractive berries in the fall if you like this helpful plants.
Japanese Barberry 'Royal Burgundy' is said to be hardy zones 3a - 10b. This cultivar is about 1ft. - 1.5 ft. tall.
This message was edited Mar 11, 2007 8:48 PM
Thanks so much :)
Deb
Just wanted to update you on Nelly. It has sent up approx. six new stems from where the deer ate. Who knows...it could be really lush and full of blooms this year, thanks to the deer :)
Thank you Mr. Deer for pruning your clematis...LOL...Jeanne
Debsroots - I planted a new one this spring and a rabbit pruned it. I put a Folgers(3 lb.) plastic coffee can around the plant, secured with two bamboo stick stakes. When the vine outgrows its protective shield I can cut it off with a pair of pruning scissors.