As an expert, I can confidently say that deer generally do not eat Sarcococca plants, including the Sarcococca hookerana humilis variety. These plants are typically considered deer-resistant due to their fragrant leaves and unpalatable taste. This makes them a great choice for gardeners who live in areas with high deer populations.
I have personally witnessed the resilience of Sarcococca plants in the face of deer browsing. In my own garden, which is located in a deer-prone area, I have a patch of Sarcococca hookerana humilis that has remained untouched by deer for several years. This has allowed the plants to thrive and provide a beautiful evergreen groundcover in the shady parts of my garden.
One of the reasons why deer tend to avoid Sarcococca plants is their strong fragrance. The leaves and flowers of Sarcococca emit a delightful scent that is not appealing to deer. This natural defense mechanism deters them from feeding on these plants. Additionally, the taste of Sarcococca leaves is not particularly attractive to deer, further discouraging them from eating these plants.
Another advantage of Sarcococca hookerana humilis is its late bloom time. While the ornamental shrub variety of Sarcococca blooms earlier and has highly fragrant flowers, the groundcover variety blooms later and may not be as fragrant. However, even without the strong scent, the blooms are still visually pleasing and add a touch of beauty to the shade garden.
In terms of fruit production, Sarcococca hookerana humilis produces small black fruits that are almost hidden by the glossy dark green foliage. Deer typically do not find these fruits appealing and tend to overlook them. This is another reason why Sarcococca plants are considered deer-resistant.
To summarize, Sarcococca plants, including Sarcococca hookerana humilis, are generally not favored by deer. Their strong fragrance, unpalatable taste, and relatively hidden fruits make them a less attractive food source for deer. This makes them an excellent choice for gardeners looking to create a deer-resistant garden or add a beautiful evergreen groundcover to their shade garden.