Oh Deer

These widespread ruminants forage on the edge of wooded areas, and can also be a common presence in our own neighborhoods. Deer eat a wide range of vegetation, primarily the young fresh growth of trees and shrubs. They will also happily munch fruit, nuts, lichen, and to a gardener’s dismay, farm and garden crops.

This list includes deer resistant plants that Down to Earth usually carries at different points during the nursery season. Keep in mind that no plant is 100% deer proof, and these tenacious creatures will behave according to their own set of rules, disregarding our coveted gardens and hard work! While one deer might completely ignore a plant, one of its brethren might snack enthusiastically.

The following list includes plants that deer rarely or seldom severely damage, keeping in mind that no plant is 100% safe from their appetites. (They might generally avoid a plant, but if they get hungry enough, that can change). However, as a general rule, ferns, ornamental grasses, strong fragrant herbs, and bamboo are deer resistant.

Annuals

Ageratum
Heliotrope
Lantana
Lobularia (Sweet Alyssum)
Nicotiana
Osteospermum
Oxalis vulcanicola
Salvia patens
Verbena
Zinnia grandiflora

Perennials

Acanthus mollis (Bear’s Breech)
Achillea (Yarrow)
Aconitum (Monkshood)
Agastache
Agave
Ajuga (Carpet Bugle)
Alchemilla (Lady’s Mantle)
Amsonia (Bluestar)
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Armeria (Thrift)
Asclepias
Aster
Astilbe
Aubrieta
Bergenia
Borago officinalis (Borage)
Brachyscome
Brunnera macrophylla
Calluna (Heather)
Coreopsis
Cotoneaster
Corydalis
Crocosmia
Delphinium
Dianthus
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Epimedium (Bishop’s Hat)
Erysimum (Wallflower)
Eucomis (Pineapple Lily)
Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed)
Euphorbia
Gaillardia x grandiflora
Gaultheria procumbens
Gaura
Gunnera
Helleborus (Hellebore)
Iberis (Candytuft)
Iris
Kniphofia (Red-Hot Poker)
Lamium (Dead Nettle)
Ligularia
Lithodora diffusa
Lupinus (Lupine)
Mimulus (Monkey Flower)
Monarda (Bee Balm)
Narcissus (Daffodil)
Nepeta (Catmint)
Origanum (Oregano, Marjoram)
Paeonia (Peony)
Papaver (Poppy)
Penstemon (Beardtongue)
Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
Polemonium (Jacob’s Ladder)
Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Rodgersia
Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan)
Salvia (Sage)
Santolina
Saxifraga (Saxifrage)
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Sisyrinchium (Blue-eyed Grass)
Solidago (Goldenrod)
Veronica (Speedwell)
Yucca
Zantedeschia (Calla Lily)

Shrubs

Abelia
Berberis (Barberry)
Buxus (Boxwood)
Callicarpa dichotoma (Beautyberry)
Callistemon (Bottlebrush)
Caryopteris
Ceonothus (California Lilac)
Chamaecyparis (False Cypress)
Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange)
Cistus (Rockrose)
Corokia cotoneaster
Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Bush)
Daphne
Drimys lanceolata (Tasmanian Pepper Bush)
Euonymus japonica
Ilex (Holly)
Mahonia aquifolium
Pieris
Ribes sanguineum (Flowering Currant)
Sambucus (Elderberry)
Sarcococca (Sweet Box)
Spiraea
Syringa (Lilac)
Vaccinium ovatum (Evergreen Huckleberry)
Viburnum