The rich smells and cool feel of a garden can be irresistible to a dog.
If you're frustrated with dogs trampling your plants but also feel a fence would detract from your garden's beauty, the idea of dog-deterring plants might sound appealing. Unfortunately, the staff at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, state there are no plants guaranteed to repel dogs. Still, a number of plants do have reputations as a dog-repellent --- deserved or not --- and if you're low on options, you might consider giving them a try.
Calendula
The calendula (Calendula officinalis), or pot marigold, is one plant believed to repel dogs, according to the Michigan State University Extension. Whether the pot marigold actually achieves this or not, it does make a hardy and reliable addition to any garden. Usually planted in the fall, pot marigold produces bright yellow or orange flowers in single or double blooms. The petals are prized as an herb. In fact, the early American colonists often used them to add color to butter and cheese, and added the dried petals to soups for flavoring. The extension, however, warns that pot marigolds can attract aphids, whiteflies and other pests.
Rue
Rue (Ruta graveolens) not only repels dogs, but but also flies and cats, according to The Companion Planting Guide on the Brigham Young University-Idaho website. In Latin, graveolens means strong smelling. And perhaps that's a clue as to why some dogs might avoid it. Rue is most commonly grown as an ornamental plant in rock and herb gardens. Some herbalists use it for earaches, and a number of processed foods are flavored with rue. However, some people are prone to rashes from contact with the plant, warns Garden Mosaics, an educational program from Cornell University,
Coleus canina / Plectranthus caninus
Coleus canina, more accurately referred to as Plectranthus caninus, is a member of the mint family and a native of Africa. Its odor has been compared to tomcat urine, but humans rarely notice the smell unless the leaves are rubbed or crushed. At one time, the plant was marketed as a dog, cat and rabbit repellent, and you can still find it on a number of websites, sold under a variety of names. There are some anecdotal claims the plant works, but Deborah Brown, a horticulturist with the University of Minnesota Extension, cautions there is no sound evidence it offers any further function than that of an ornamental addition to your garden, adding she has never seen it successfully keep animals away.
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