Deer Resistant Plants for the Landscape

Deer Resistant Plants
for the Landscape

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Gardeners that live near open parks and other "nearly wild" areas are often plagued by deer. Deer damage to plants is costly and frustrating. While tall fences remain the most effective way to keep deer away, some gardeners have had success with particular plantings. Keep in mind that any tender, succulent plants fresh from the nursery, where they have been watered and fertilized, may attract deer, especially early in the season, when green vegetation in their natural habitat is not available. Although no plant is guaranteed to resist deer browsing, some gardeners have reported success with the following species:

Perennials
Astilbe
Bee Balm
Bleeding Heart
Columbine
Coralbells
Evergreen Candytuft
Forget-Me-Not
Foxglove
Hardy Geranium
Hellebore
Hibiscus
Iris
Monkshood
Oriental Poppy
Peony
Perennial Alyssum
Perennial Flax
Pinks
Salvia
Yarrow
Yucca

Annuals and Biennials
Ageratum
Dusty Miller
French marigold
Lantana
Larkspur
Lobelia
Morning Glory
Moonflower
Nasturtium Ornamental pepper
Snapdragon
Stock
Wax Begonia
Zinnia

Herbs
Angelica
Anise Hyssop
Basil
Catmint
Chamomile
Chives
Comfrey
Dill
Fennel
Lamb's ears
Lavender
Lavender Cotton
Lemon balm
Mint
Mullein
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme

Bulbs
Autumn Crocus
Crocus
Daffodil, Jonquil, Narcissus
Crown Imperial
Glory of the Snow
Grape Hyacinth
Siberian Squill
Snowdrop
Snowflake
Striped Squill Surprise Lily
Various Flowering Onions
Winter Aconite

Perennial Vines
Akebia
Bittersweet
Grape
Honeysuckle
Silver Lace Vine

Shrubs
Barberry
Bayberry
Beautybush
Butterfly Bush
Chinese Holly
Chinese Junipers (blue and green)
Common Boxwood
Common Lilac
Drooping Leucothoe
ForsythiaInkberry
Japanese Kerria
Oregon Grape Holly
Russian Olive

Groundcovers
Bugle Weed (Ajuga)
Bearberry
Bergenia
Dead Nettle
Ferns
Indian Strawberry
Junipers
Lady's Mantle
Lily-of-the-Valley
Mosses
Pachysandra
Potentilla
Sedum
Snow-in-Summer
Vinca Minor

Trees
These trees are rated by various observers to be rarely damaged, seldom severely damaged or deer-resistant. Protect small seedlings with tree shelters.

American Holly
Beech
Birch: European, White, Paper
Catalpa
Corkscrew Willow
Dogwood: Red Osier, Kousa
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperis virginiana)
English Hawthorn
Ginkgo
Hickory
Japanese Flowering Cherry
Locust: Black, Honey
Mimosa
Pine: Austrian, Mugo, Red, Scots, Shortleaf (for southern Missouri only)
Sassafras, Common
Smoke Tree
Sourwood
Spruce: Colorado Blue, Norway, White
Sweet Gum
Sycamore
Tulip Tree

Source: Missouri Department of Conservation