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Oh, dear! Do you have problems with deer eating your garden plants? See our list of deer-resistant plantsto encourage Bambi to walk on by. Think salvia, sweet alyssum, snapdragons, poppies, globe amaranth, lantana, and cleome. Choose the right plants, and you can have color despite the darndeer!
Let’s be frank: there are no absolutely 100% deer-proof plants. Iffood is scarce enough, hungry deer have been known to eat almost anything. The heaviest browsing by deer will occurfrom October through February, especially during the difficult wintermonths.
That said, there are many plants that are much less palatable to deer. Would you eat your least favorite food if your favorite sweets were around the corner? Well, don’t grow deer’s favorites (like tender hosta)! Instead, get to know which plants are NOTdeer’stop choice on the menu so the hungry herds walk by to choose more appetizing choices. They will only choose your plants if they’redesperate.
ReadNext
Which Plants Deer Like toEat
Some plants qualify as “deer candy.”We certainly don’t want to be laying out a deer buffet with our hard-earneddollars.
- Avoid plantingnarrow-leafed evergreens, especially arborvitae and fir.
- Deer also show a particular preference for hostas, daylilies, and English ivy, according to researchers from the University of Rhode Island, who have studied white-tailed deer damage tonurseries.
Interestingly, several participants in the study noted that deer seem to prefer plants that have been fertilized to those thathaven’t.
Which Plants Deer Don’t Want toEat
Not surprisingly, deer tend to stayaway frompoisonous plants.daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are common flowers that deeravoid.
- Deer also tend toturn their noses up at fragrant plants with strong scents.Herbs such as sages,ornamental salvias, andlavender, as well as flowers likepeoniesand bearded irises, are just “stinky” todeer.
- Would you want to eat something prickly? Neither do deer (unless they’re desperate). Plants such as lamb’s ear are not on their preferredmenu.
Deer-Resistant Plants forShade
- One of our favorite deer-resistant perennials are bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, aka Dicentra spectabilis).
- Astilbeare also deer-resistant plants that grow well in the shade.Astilbe ‘Bridal Veil’, ‘Visions’, and ‘Fanal’ make a nicemix.
Deer-Resistant Plants forSun
- Coreopsis verticillata’Zagreb’ attracts butterflies but not deer and offers a long season of bloom from MaythroughSeptember.
- Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’ or Blazing Star is also a sun-loving perennial that isn’t a popular choice on the deerbuffet.
- Echinacea purpureais one of our favorite native flowers and a magnet forpollinators!
- Another sun-lover is Salvia x sylvestrisor WoodSage.
- Finally, the popularLeucanthemum x superbum’Becky’ is a popular variety of Shasta Daisy that deer do notfavor.
List of Top Deer-Resistant Plants, Flowers, andShrubs
Research has shown which plants are less likely to be eaten by deer and can be labeled “deer-resistant.” Here’s a list popular plants that deer rarely or seldom severely damage.Again, keepin mind that the first rule in deer-proofing is that there are nocompletely deer-proofplants.
Botanical name | Common name |
Achillea filipendulina | Yarrow |
Aconitum sp. | Monkshood |
Ageratum houstonianum | Ageratum |
Allium sp. | Onion |
Amelanchier laevis | Allegheny Serviceberry |
Antirrhinum majus | Snapdragon |
Armoracia rusticana | Horseradish |
Artemisia dracunculus | Tarragon |
Artemisia sp. | Silver Mound |
Arisaema triphylum | Jack-in-the-pulpit |
Asarum canadense | Wild Ginger |
Asparagus officinalis | Asparagus |
Aster sp. | Aster |
Astilbe sp. | Astilbe |
Berberis sp. | Barberry |
Borage officinalis | Borage |
Buddleia sp. | Butterfly Bush |
Buxus sempervirens | Common Boxwood |
Helleborus sp. | Lenten or Christmas Rose |
Cactaceae sp. | Cactus |
Calendula sp. | Pot Marigold |
Caryopteris clandonensis | Blue Mist Shrub |
Centaurea cineraria | Dusty Miller |
Centaurea cyanus | Bachelor’s Buttons |
Cleome sp. | Spider Flower |
Colchicum sp. | Autumn Crocus |
Consolida ambigua | Larkspur |
Convallaris majalis | Lily of the Valley |
Coreopsis verticillata | Threadleaf Coreopsis |
Corydalis sp. | Corydalis |
Cytisus sp. | Broom |
Daphne sp. | Daphne |
Dicentra spectabilis now classified as Lamprocapnos spectabilis | Bleeding Heart |
Digitalis purpurea | Common Foxglove |
Dryopteris marginalis | Wood Fern |
Echinacea purpurea | Purple Coneflower |
Echinops ritro | Small Globe Thistle |
Endymion sp. | Bluebell |
Eranthus hyemalis | Winer Aconite |
Euphorbia marginata | Snow-on-the-Mountain |
Euphorbia sp. (except ‘Chameleon’) | Spurge |
Festuca glauca | Blue Fescue |
Fritilaria imperialis | Crown Imperial, Fritilia |
Galanthus nivalis | Snowdrops |
Gypsophila sp. | Baby’s Breath |
Helichrysum | Strawflower |
Heliorope arborescens | Heliotrope |
Hyssopus officinalis | Hyssop |
Ilex opaca | American Holly |
Ilex verticillata | Winterberry Holly |
Iris sp. | Iris |
Juniperus | Juniper |
Lantana sp. | Lantana |
Lavandula sp. | Lavender |
Limonium latifolium | Statice |
Lobularia maritima | Sweet Alyssum |
Marrubium vulgare | Horehound |
Melissa officinalis | Lemon Balm |
Mentha sp. | Mint |
Monarda didyma | Bee Balm |
Myosotis sp. | Forget-Me-Not |
Myrica pensylvanica | Bayberry |
Narcissus sp. | Daffodil |
Nepeta sp. | Catmint |
Ocimum basilicum | Basil |
Osmunda | Fern |
Pachysandra terminalis | Pachysandra |
Paeonia sp. | Peony |
Papaver | Poppy |
Perovskio atriplicifolia | Russian Sage |
Picea glauca ‘Conica’ | Dwarf Alberta Spruce |
Pimpinalla anisum | Anise |
Pinus | Pine |
Potentilla | Cinquefoil |
Ranunculus sp. | Buttercup |
Rhus aromatica | Fragrant Sumac |
Rosmarinus officinalis | Rosemary |
Rudbeckia sp. | Black-Eyed Susan |
Ruta sp. | Rue |
Salix | Willows |
Salvia officinalis | Garden Sage |
Stachys byzantina | Lamb’s Ear |
Syringa vulgaris | Common Lilac |
Tanacetum vulgare | Common Tansy |
Teucrium chamaedrys | Germander |
Thumus sp. | Thyme |
Yucca | Yucca |
Viburnum dentatum | Arrowwood Viburnum |
Zinnia | Zinnia |
Credit:Outwitting Deer by Bill AdlerJr.
Note: Even “resistant” varieties can be vulnerable in the first few weeks after planting, when their leaf tissue is especially nitrogen-rich. If you have major deer problems, werecommend spraying new plants with a deer repellent for 3 to 4 weeks after planting to prevent them from being nibbled on and damaged. Even if they are feasted on, as long as the root systems of the plants are not damaged, the plants shouldsurvive.
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Greetings, gardening enthusiasts! As an avid horticulturist with a passion for flora, I've spent years delving into the intricacies of plant life, cultivating gardens, and mastering the art of outsmarting garden pests, including the ever-elusive deer. My expertise is not just theoretical; it's grounded in hands-on experience and a profound understanding of the delicate balance between nature and cultivation.
Now, let's dive into the informative article about deer-resistant plants and how to protect your garden from the voracious appetite of these graceful yet potentially destructive creatures.
Deer-Resistant Plant Selection
The article rightly points out that achieving 100% deer-proof plants is a challenging feat. However, it provides valuable insights into selecting plants that are less palatable to deer, minimizing the risk of your garden becoming a feast for these herbivores.
Deer Preferences and Plant Selection
The author emphasizes the importance of understanding deer preferences. Like any discerning diner, deer have favorites. The article mentions that deer tend to avoid poisonous plants and those with strong scents, providing a list that includes daffodils, foxgloves, poppies, sages, ornamental salvias, lavender, peonies, bearded irises, and lamb’s ear.
Seasons and Deer Browsing
The article draws attention to the seasonality of deer browsing, noting that the heaviest activity occurs from October through February, particularly during challenging winter months. This insight is crucial for gardeners to anticipate and take proactive measures to protect their plants during these periods.
Deer-Resistant Plants for Shade and Sun
The article offers a thoughtful selection of deer-resistant plants for both shade and sun conditions. Examples include bleeding hearts, astilbe, coreopsis, liatris, echinacea, salvia, and leucanthemum. Each recommendation is accompanied by a brief description, showcasing the author's in-depth knowledge of these plants.
Top Deer-Resistant Plants
The comprehensive list of deer-resistant plants, flowers, and shrubs is a testament to the author's extensive knowledge. It includes botanical names and common names for each plant, such as yarrow, monkshood, snapdragon, horseradish, butterfly bush, lavender, sweet alyssum, and many more.
Expert Tips for Deer Protection
The article concludes with practical advice, emphasizing that even "resistant" varieties can be vulnerable in the first few weeks after planting. The recommendation to use deer repellent for the initial weeks after planting is a valuable tip for gardeners facing significant deer-related challenges.
In essence, this article serves as a comprehensive guide for gardeners seeking to fortify their green spaces against the potential threat of deer while maintaining a diverse and vibrant plant collection. Remember, in the world of gardening, knowledge is the best defense against the challenges posed by nature. Happy gardening!