Cattails- Am I crazy for planting them?

[mrsclem]

I just got 6 Broadleaf cattail plants. Not planning on putting them in pond or bog. Our yard is sloped and the low point is behind the one pond which is where the outflows from the backflush on the filters empties out to. This is where I want to plant the cattails. 2 reasons- #1 - to attract Red-wing Blackbirds, #2- block the deer path. We have a huge deer population and they enter the yard thru this area. Am I setting my self up for trouble? This is not an area that would normally get mowed.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Deer will have no problem walking through cattails. They can maneuver through all sorts of thick plant life with relative ease.

I don't know if you're setting yourself up for trouble, but once you have them, I imagine you'll permanently have them. I personally don't like cattails, simply because I've seen ponds and rivers disappear to them. Too aggressive of a plant for my taste.

 

[adavisus]

Cattails drop thousands of very reliable seed. You might want to dead head them before they shed, mid winter

 

[mrsclem]

I had some in the bog before so I know how invasive they can be. Going to give it a try for a year and see how it goes.

 

[GBBUDD]

Deer will have no problem walking through cattails

I second

 

[GBBUDD]

Going to give it a try for a year and see how it goes.

place them In a bag of underlayment to limit the root growth

 

[mrsclem]

These will be going behind the ponds at the edge of the woods. The area is impossible to mow as any water drained from filters and pond overflow go there.