Deer Resistant Plants

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

Ornamental Fescue

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.