Deer-Resistant Perennials
Add these deer-proof plants to your garden to help ensure all your hard work doesn’t become a tasty snack for the deer in your area.
Astilbe
Astilbe are warm-colored clustered plants prefer the shade and keep deer away.
Catmint
With beautiful purple blooms that thrive in all soil types and with little maintenance, catmint — also known as Nepeta — makes a perfect colorful addition to your garden. Its minty odor keeps deer at bay.
Coreopsis
Not only do coreopsis’ beautiful blooms keep deer away, but these yellow flowers also attract butterflies. This hardy wildflower does best in full sun and doesn’t require much watering.
Lavender
Lavender is a common low-maintenance plant that does best in full sun. Though appealing to humans, lavender’s floral scent deters deer, mosquitoes and flies.
Salvia
Commonly known as sage, this deer-resistant flower requires little maintenance and comes in a variety of colors, including purple, pink and blue. Salvia thrives in hot climates and dry soil.
While these plants have shown to be less desirable as deer food, they’re not guaranteed to be deer-proof. If deer get hungry enough, they’re liable to try anything at least once. Also, remember that some of these plants can become invasive if you don’t keep them in check.
Deer-Resistant Annuals
Plant these deer-resistant flowers to help keep deer out of your yard.
Begonia
These flowers come in a variety of colors and are easy to maintain. Rex, tuberous and wax begonias are all resistant to deer. Wax begonias are a popular choice among first-time gardeners because they flower year-round and don’t require excessive care.
Dusty Miller
The fuzzy silver leaves of a dusty miller blend easily with the bright colors of a backyard garden. Deer tend to leave this plant alone because of its texture.
Heliotrope
Heliotrope’s purple and white flowers thrive in warm environments and emit a floral smell that deer dislike.
Marigold
Marigolds are a neighborhood gardener’s favorite because of their resistance to the elements. Deer steer clear from these bright blooms because of their strong floral scent.
Geranium
Like marigolds, geraniums are easy to grow and do well as long as they have sun and moist soil. Deer dislike the smell of these flowering plants and go out of their way to avoid them, making them a popular choice for home gardeners looking to cover a lot of ground.
Deer-Resistant Shrubs
Some shrubs are less appealing to deer than others. Plant these deer-proof shrubs to help make your yard a deer-free zone.
Boxwood
Boxwood is a sought after deer-resistant shrub because of its ability to keep its leaves through the season, requiring little maintenance other than annual pruning. Deer leave these hedges alone, making them a popular choice in suburban gardens with moist, well-drained soil.
Forsythia
As soon as spring rounds the corner, forsythia’s yellow flowers bloom. This bush’s bitter-tasting leaves retain their green color well into the fall and keep deer at bay.
Gardenia
Gardenias are another hardy, fragrant choice when looking for deer-resistant shrubs. You can plant them year-round, but they prefer partial sun and need extra care in extreme temperatures.
Juniper
This cypress plant comes in many styles and is ideal for large hedges, round bushes or simple ground cover. Its hard leaves and sappy scent deter deer, and all this shrub requires is full sun and occasional pruning.
Holly
Deer don’t touch most variations of holly — available in both tree and shrub form — but American, Chinese, winterberry and inkberry holly are the most popular choices to keep deer away. Plant both male and female variations of this plant if you want decorative red berries in the fall.
Common herbs like mint, rosemary, basil and oregano all have a smell and taste that deer dislike. Try planting them around the border of your garden to keep hungry deer at bay.
Deer Deterrents
Keeping pests out is one way of preventing damage; frightening them away is another. You can choose between man-made or natural methods. Use caution, however, because these methods may also affect pets and children.
- Netting can deter deer. Look for products specially designed, woven and sized for use as a deer deterrent. You can easily install deer netting to protect shrubs and trees.
- Fencing can also keep deer away from your plants. Build it at least 8 feet high to keep deer from jumping over it. If you use a mesh fence, bury it 1 foot deep for maximum efficiency. If you have a few specimen plants to protect, wrap them with a mesh barrier to keep the deer a safe distance away. Remember that a mature deer can graze up to a height of 8 feet.
- Motion detectors that trigger a high-pressure water spray can be a deterrent.
- Noise and lights alone or combined can provide an element of surprise to drive deer away.
- Organic deterrents, like hot pepper, garlic, rotten eggs, human hair, and feces or urine from predators like lions or coyotes, can be an option. As unpleasant as these seem, odors or odors associated with danger can keep pests away. As with many mechanical deterrents, a persistent deer is likely to become accustomed to these and resume feeding.
Deer aren’t as meek as they may seem. In rutting season especially, males can be quite aggressive, so think twice before you try to chase them out of the yard or let your dog loose.