Deer can be a real menace, especially when they’re treating your garden like an all-you-can-eat buffet. While there are plenty of repellants that can keep the deer away, it can be more beneficial for you and your time to plant deer-resistant plants to curb their appetites.
In general, deer tend to avoid plants with strong fragrances. Marigolds, Daffodils Rosemary, and Daphne are all very fragrant plants that deer tend to steer clear of.
Below is a list of some of the more popular varieties of deer-resistant plants we carry, however, all varieties listed may not be available at all times. Also, please be aware that while these plants are deer-resistant, they are not deer-proof. A hungry enough deer will eat just about anything.
Annuals & Herbs
While the following plants need to be replanted yearly, they’re still powerhouses in the garden and landscape. Annuals are great for containers and hanging baskets while herbs can be used in cooking.
Alyssum
Ageratum
Caladium
Chives
Coleus
Cosmos
Dusty Miller
Eucalyptus
Impatiens
Lantana
Lavender
Marigold
Mint
Nasturtium
Oregano
Rosemary
Snapdragon
Thyme
Vinca
Zinnia
Bulbs
Most spring-blooming bulbs are considered deer-resistant, however, tulips are not and should not be planted if you have a deer problem.
Allium
Crocus
Daffodils
Dutch Iris
Freesia
Hyacinth
Lily of the Valley
Snowdrop
Grasses
Deer tend to avoid most grasses, particularly ones with feathery seed pods.
Acorus Grass
Carex Grass
Fountain Grass
Pampas Grass
Maiden Grass
Muhly Grass
Perennials & Vines
Listed below are some of our favorite deer-resistant perennials and vines. These plants, once established, come back year after year which means less work for you!
Acanthus
Agastache
Amsonia
Anemone
Armeria
Artemisia
Aster
Astilbe
Baptisia
Bee Balm
Bleeding Heart
Brunneria
Bugleweed
Candytuft
Catmint
Columbine
Coneflower
Coral Bells
Coreopsis
Daisy
Dianthus
Ferns
Foxglove
Gailardia
Gaura
German Iris
Goldenrod
Honeysuckle
Ice Plant
Jasmine
Lamb’s Ear
Lantana
Lenten Rose
Milkweed
Mum
Passionflower
Penstemon
Peony
Phlox
Poppy
Red Hot Poker
Russian Sage
Salvia
Scabiosa
Tiarella
Verbena
Veronica
Yarrow
Trees & Shrubs
The backbone of landscapes. The following trees and shrubs are a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants. Mix them together for a more full and vibrant garden.
Abelia
Arborvitae
Anise
Bald Cypress
Barberry
Birch
Boxwood
Butterfly Bush
Caryopteris
Cast Iron Plant
Clethra
Crape Myrtle
Daphne
Deutzia
Dogwood
Gardenia
Ginkgo
Holly
Juniper
Inkberry
Leucothoe
Ligustrum
Loropetalum
Magnolia
Mahonia
Nandina
Oleander
Osmanthus
Pieris
Pine
Pyracantha
Red Buckeye
Red Cedar
Spirea
Spruce
St John’s Wort
Vitex
Wax Myrtle
Yew
Yucca
Further Reading
Deer aren’t the only animals happy to munch on your favorite plants, rabbits can be just as bad. Click the link for our list of rabbit resistant plants.


