Choosing Deer Resistant Plants

By Cate Deane, Training and Development Manager

Deer can be a delight to watch from afar, but they quickly become a nuisance when they start munching on your garden. If you live in an area where deer are common, you might have experienced the frustration of waking up to find your carefully tended plants damaged or eaten overnight. One natural solution to this problem is incorporating deer-resistant plants into your landscape. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, there are several species that deer tend to avoid due to their scent, texture, or taste. Below are some deer-repelling plants to consider adding to your landscape.

1. Amsonia (Blue Star)

Amsonia, also known as Blue Star, is a hardy perennial with delicate blue flowers that bloom in the spring. Its slender, feathery foliage adds texture to the garden, and in fall, the leaves turn a brilliant golden color. Deer tend to avoid Amsonia due to its milky sap, which has a bitter taste. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and is drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance option for deer-prone gardens.

2. Artemisia (Wormwood)

Artemisia is a versatile plant known for its silvery, aromatic foliage. Deer dislike the strong fragrance of Artemisia, making it an excellent choice for repelling them. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for borders or as an accent plant. Its soft, silver leaves can also provide a lovely contrast to other green plants in your garden.

3. Catmint (Nepeta)

Catmint is a favorite among pollinators like bees and butterflies, but deer are generally uninterested in this fragrant herb. The strong scent of its lavender-blue flowers and foliage deters deer, making it a great choice for deer-resistant gardens. Catmint is easy to grow, tolerates drought, and thrives in full sun, making it a popular choice for garden borders or as ground cover for larger areas.

4. Coneflower (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are known for their vibrant, daisy-like blooms and ability to attract pollinators. While they add a pop of color to any garden, their tough, bristly stems and foliage make them less appealing to deer. Coneflowers are also drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun, making them a durable addition to a deer-resistant landscape.

5. Coreopsis (Tickseed)

Coreopsis is another sun-loving perennial that deer tend to avoid. Its bright yellow flowers bloom throughout the summer, adding long-lasting color to your garden. Deer are repelled by the bitter taste of Coreopsis leaves, making it a reliable choice for areas where deer are prevalent. This plant is also drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soil conditions.

6. Lavender

Lavender is well-known for its soothing fragrance, but deer dislike its strong scent. This aromatic herb is a great choice for borders (dwarf varieties), walkways, or herb gardens. Lavender prefers full sun and well-drained soil, making it a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance option for repelling deer.

7. Reedgrass (Calamagrostis)

Reedgrass is a tall, ornamental grass that deer tend to avoid due to its tough, coarse texture. It adds vertical interest to the garden and is perfect for creating natural screens or borders. Reedgrass thrives in full sun and is highly adaptable to different soil conditions, making it a resilient and deer-resistant option for your landscape.

8. Spurges (Euphorbia)

Spurges are unique perennials known for their striking foliage and unusual flowers. Their milky sap contains compounds that are toxic to deer, deterring them from nibbling on the plant. Spurges come in a variety of forms and sizes, making them a versatile choice for gardens of all styles.

9. Yarrow (Achillea)

Yarrow is a hardy perennial that produces clusters of small, colorful flowers, making it a great choice for garden beds and even cut flowers. Its aromatic foliage is unappealing to deer, making it a great addition to deer-resistant gardens. Yarrow is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, adding texture and color to your landscape with minimal effort.

Incorporating deer-resistant plants like these into your garden can help protect your plants from deer damage. While no plant is completely immune to deer, these species offer a natural deterrent that can minimize their impact on your landscape. By selecting plants that deer find less appealing, you can create a beautiful and resilient garden that thrives even in deer-prone areas.