What's NOT Good for the Goose...

In my most recent post I shared tips for deterring Canada Geese from both municipal and residential areas.  One of the things I suggested was to plant a buffer strip of perennials around ponds and lakes.  This living barrier, ideally 10-feet-wide around the perimeter of the water feature, discourages the geese from settling in a number of ways: it limits access to the water, impedes their ability to see predators and prevents curiosity, since they don't like to step into the "unknown"--dense grasses and other bushy plant life.

All your efforts will be in vain, though, if you don't install the right kinds of plants.  Uninformed choices may actually draw the geese to the site you hope to keep them away from!  Remember, the birds are looking for easy access to water and food.  Planting items that they eat will provide them a smorgasbord and ensure they make your pond or lake a stop on their North American tour.

Here, my top choices for deterring the determined Canada Geese (ideally for the Northeast):


Acorus Americana; AKA American Sweet Flag:  This perennial, zone 3-7, is a moderate spreader, which will slowly fill in around a water feature but not become invasive.  It's "fruit" is not tasty to the geese or deer and its citrus-spice scent keeps them from even approaching.  Also good for erosion control.

Andropogon gerardii; AKA Big Bluestem:  At 6' tall, this zone 3-8 ornamental grass provides ample screening, while offering no food source to geese or deer.  Its growth is moderate and it turns a glorious copper color in autumn.


Schizachyrium scoparium; AKA Little Bluestem:  This blue-grey clumping grass, which gets 2'-4' tall, has fluffy silver-white seed heads that glimmer in the sun.  Attractive to us, the geese and deer are not impressed, and tend to steer clear.  Turns a lovely reddish hue in fall.  Good in zones 3-8.

Typha latifoilia; AKA Broad-leaf Cat Tail:  Most of us have seen the tell-tale brown bottle-brush flower of this pond perennial.  It's a perennial favorite for good reason:  it prevents erosion around lakes and ponds, and wildlife hate it (especially geese).  Best in zones 3-7.