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Perennials deer hate

22 Deer Resistant Perennial Plants - Perennials Deer Won't Eat

There’s nothing worse than walking into the garden to find that deer have devoured your favorite plants. Short of installing a nine-foot-tall fence and repeatedly applying repellants, there are few sure cures for the problem. But, planting deer-resistant perennials they don’t prefer to eat will help.

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Let’s look at 22 options that deer typically pass by in favor of tastier treats down the road:

1. BEE BALM LEADING LADY, UPSCALE™ and PARDON MY Monarda Zones 4-8 A favorite of native plant enthusiasts, these colorful perennials attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds with their vibrant blossoms each summer. They are clump-forming varieties that return reliably every year and are exceptionally resistant to powdery mildew. Deer steer clear once they catch a whiff of their minty-scented foliage. Plant Leading Lady bee balm for earlier color, then Pardon My and Upscale varieties to extend the bloom season through midsummer. Best in full sun to part shade.

2. CATMINT ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Nepeta Zones 3-8 The fuzzy, fragrant foliage of catmint is detested by deer. ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is a very dwarf selection that makes a perfect edging for vegetable gardens, rose beds or sunny walkways. It is very easy to grow in full sun and well-drained soil. Just plant it and forget it (that’s right—no extra water or plant food needed), and it will return the favor with bundles of bright lavender-purple blossoms beginning in early summer. If you'd prefer something a little bigger that keeps its neat shape, try 'Cat's Meow'.

3. SALVIA COLOR SPIRES® and Profusion Salvia Zones 3-8 If you want to attract pollinators to your garden, plant salvia. While its fragrant foliage is not preferred by deer, all sorts of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are dazzled by its blooms which appear around early summer. Color Spires and Profusion salvias are super easy to grow in full sun. They are drought tolerant once established. These lovely perennials are a staple item for every spring garden.

4. LAVENDER SWEET ROMANCE® Lavandula Zones 5-9 The finely textured, fragrant, fuzzy leaves of Sweet Romance lavender are rarely on the menu for deer and other critters. You will love its heady sweet fragrance, so be sure to pick a few stems for bringing indoors. This variety is particularly long blooming with rich violet-purple flower wands produced continually from early summer into fall in full sun. It is very drought tolerant once established.

5. RUSSIAN SAGE ‘Denim ‘n Lace’ and 'Sage Advice' Perovskia Zones 4-9 By now you’re probably sensing a theme here—perennials with fragrant foliage are rarely bothered by deer.  Russian sage is certainly no exception. Its fragrant foliage is highly deer resistant, while its bright amethyst blue flowers are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds. Proven Winners varieties of Russian sage have tidy habits that won’t spill over onto their neighbors in the garden. Full sun and dry, unfertile soil will keep them happiest for many years to come.

6. ORNAMENTAL GRASSES PRAIRIE WINDS® Zone varies by type The finely textured foliage of ornamental grasses tends to keep them out of the mouths of deer that are looking for more succulent food to eat. Grasses also provide shelter for them and other little critters throughout the fall and winter months. Proven Winners offers a number of native and non-native ornamental grasses, each with its own unique set of benefits.

7. LUNGWORT ‘Spot On’ and 'Pink-a-Blue' Pulmonaria Zones 3-9 Could it be the common name of “lungwort” that makes deer and rabbits avoid this shade perennial? We hope it won’t deter you, too! It’s far prettier than it sounds and is such an easy-care variety to add to your collection of critter-resistant plants. Pulmonaria is one of the first perennials to pop back up and bloom in the spring, welcoming buzzing bumblebees with its bright pink and blue blossoms. Silver-speckled foliage keeps things interesting for the whole season.

8. SPIKE SPEEDWELL MAGIC SHOW® Veronica Zones 4-8 The finely textured foliage and skinny flower spikes of Veronica puts them near the bottom of the menu for deer who are looking for plants of greater substance to fill their bellies. Luckily, that means gardeners can plant swathes of vibrantly hued purple, pink or white veronicas in their sunny to lightly shaded landscapes with no worries. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy their blooms for many weeks beginning in early summer.

9. FALSE INDIGO DECADENCE® Baptisia Zones 4-9 The vibrant spires of blue, purple, yellow, pink, maroon, cream and bicolor blooms of Decadence false indigo will be something both you and pollinators look forward to each year as they bloom in late spring to early summer. As the plants mature, they become denser with more flowers, persisting 50 years or more in the landscape. Choose a permanent place when planting, as their deep tap root which makes them highly drought tolerant also makes them difficult to transplant.

10. BLUESTAR ‘Storm Cloud’ and 'String Theory' Amsonia Zones 4-9 Blue star is a classic native perennial that thrives in full sun to part shade. Its finely textured foliage doesn't offer much sustenance for deer, so they typically pass it by. ‘Storm Cloud’ is named for its unique near-black foliage and stems that emerge in spring before transitioning to deep green. 'String Theory' forms a sturdy mass of feathery textured, green foliage that intensifies to bright golden orange in the fall. These long-lived perennials are a good choice for low-maintenance landscapes.

11. ORNAMENTAL ONION ‘Serendipity’ Allium Zones 4-8 Not everyone is a fan of eating onions, and that definitely includes deer and rabbits. They steer clear of ‘Serendipity’ which is an ornamental onion that blooms with whimsical purple ball-shaped blossoms from mid to late summer. You’ll find bees foraging for pollen on them during every sunny afternoon that they’re in bloom, plus butterflies often join in the fun. Unlike bulb-type alliums, this perennial produces many flowers per plant and becomes denser with more blooms each year.

12. HEARTLEAF BRUNNERA ‘Jack of Diamonds’ and ‘Queen of Hearts’ Brunnera Zones 3-8 The glint of silver will catch your eye as the leaves of brunnera reflect any bit of light that reaches them in the shade garden. Touch those heart-shaped leaves and you’ll know why deer leave them be—they have the texture of sandpaper. Bees will drop by when this perennial is in bloom in the springtime, visiting each tiny blue blossom that dances above the foliage. Brunnera makes a beautiful companion for ferns, foamflowers and other deer resistant shade perennials.

13. JAPANESE ANEMONE Fall in Love® ‘Sweetly’ Anemone Zones 4-8 Extend the seasonal interest in your garden with this fall blooming perennial that bears a profusion of semi-double, bright rose pink flowers. If you are looking for a plant that attracts butterflies and bees but resists deer and rabbits, this is a great choice. Pair it with ornamental grasses and sedum for a beautiful fall border.

14. CONEFLOWER Summersong™ Firefinch™Echinacea Zones 4-8 Add incredible color to your garden with this relatively petite, 12-16" tall coneflower that blooms nearly all summer long. It is thought that deer may leave coneflowers alone due to their spiny cones. Once the flowering period is finished in the fall, leave the spent blooms on the plants to provide winter food for goldfinches and other birds. They also offer architectural interest in the winter garden. Looking for coneflowers in more colors? Check out our Color Coded® series.

15. HARDY GERANIUM ‘Boom Chocolatta’ Geranium pratense Zones 4-8 This showy perennial geranium, also known as cranesbill, is grown for its showy bronze foliage and prolific, bright blue-purple flowers which cover the plant in early summer. The scent and texture of the foliage make it less appealing to deer and rabbits, but bees will enjoy its blooms.

16. FERN-LEAVED BLEEDING HEART ‘Pink Diamonds’ Dicentra Zones 3-9 Unlike many other bleeding hearts which require shade, this alpine variety thrives in full sun and very well-drained soil. Deer tend to avoid it because of its toxic qualities, but bees and hummingbirds enjoy its blooms. 'Pink Diamonds' is one of our longest blooming perennials, beginning the show in late spring and continuing all the way into early fall.

17. YARROW ‘Firefly Sunshine’ Achillea Zones 3-8 Light up your summer garden with these bright yellow flowers. Yarrow is an easy perennial to grow and a good choice for beginners. Its finely textured foliage gives off an herbal scent which helps to deter deer. Our Firefly series is particularly upright and well-behaved in the landscape, staying where you plant it.

18. LIGULARIA ‘Bottle Rocket’ Ligularia Zones 4-9 These fuzzy, mustard-yellow flower spikes will gladly brighten up the shady side of your house. The serrated foliage is a bit too thick and tough to chew, so the deer move on to another selection. However, if you look closely, you will notice bees enjoying the flowers' pollen when in bloom. This unusual perennial is a highlight of partly shaded gardens with moist soil.

19. PINKS ‘Paint the Town Magenta’ Dianthus Zones 4-9 Glam up your garden with broad swaths of flashy color. The cool blue mound of foliage will be covered in magenta pink flowers in early summer and it will rebloom intermittently into fall. Deer typically pass this short perennial right on by because of its finely textured foliage.

20. ASTILBE ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ Astilbe Zones 4-9 Though you may be used to growing Astilbe only in the shade, you'll love this dark foliage selection which grows and blooms best in full sun to part sun. It combines rich chocolate colored foliage with rosy purple flower plumes for a colorful garden show in mid to late summer. Though they are easy to grow, Astilbes have one critical requirement—lots of water. Do not let this perennial dry out.

21. GOATSBEARD ‘Chantilly Lace’ Aruncus Zones 3-7 Similar in appearance to astilbe but much larger, this showy perennial produces beautiful sprays of lacy, cream-colored flowers atop deep green fern-like foliage in early to midsummer. Standing 30-32" tall, it's perfect for filling the middle layer of the perennial border with interesting texture. This is a low maintenance perennial that grows in sun or shade in average to moist soil. In warmer climates, it will need some protection from the hot afternoon sun.

22. RED HOT POKER Pyromania® ‘Rocket’s Red Glare’ Kniphofia Zones 6-9 Bring unique drama to your landscape with this tropical-looking yet hardy perennial. Butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinating bees will all visit your red hot poker when it's in bloom, but deer and rabbits won't be interested. Since it reblooms from early summer through late summer, the entertainment will last all season. When not in bloom, its grassy foliage adds texture and movement in the landscape.

 

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32 Deer-Resistant Perennial Plants to Grow Outside

By

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 03/17/23

The Spruce / Autumn Wood 

There are a number of plants that are coined as deer-resistant, meaning that they aren't deer's first choice for snacking. Though deer are notorious for eating just about anything when they are starving, planting deer-resistant perennials allows you to play the odds through smart plant selection.

If you grow plants that deer are less likely to eat, you increase your chances of escaping pest damage. Alyssum, irises, peonies, foxgloves, poppies, and even certain herbs like lavender and sage are popular plants that deer avoid. Some of these plants are toxic to deer, while others produce strong smells that deer avoid.

All of the 32 perennials and perennial herbs listed here are considered hardy and deer-resistant. By growing a few plants from each of these categories, you can manage to have color in your yard most of the year.

Popular Plants That Deer Avoid

• 'May Night' Salvia
• Lavender
• Bee Balm
  

A State-by-State Guide to Deer Resistant Plants

• 01 of 32

  The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

  Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is perhaps the best-known of the catmint plants. Any plant listed as being in the Nepeta genus is considered to be a type of catmint. Catnip can be classified as an herb, whereas the other types of catmint are considered garden flowers. Deer hate the smell of all Nepeta plants, so they generally don't eat them. Most are hardy enough for gardens in zones 3 and 4.

  Catnip isn't grown as an ornamental. It's grown by cat owners because cats are famously attracted to this perennial herb. All you have to do is harvest the leafy stems, hang them up to dry, then crush the dried leaves and flowers for your cat. The flowers bloom in the late spring to early fall. Catnip bears clusters of small blooms that are usually white with light purple markings.

  Ornamental types of catmint, however, are grown precisely for their pretty, long-blooming flowers, which are generally bluish or purplish. They bloom from early summer to early fall.
  

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained

• 02 of 32

  The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

  Lavender is one of the classic perennial herbs or subshrubs that are grown for their smell. And that's precisely why deer tend to avoid them: Deer generally stay away from aromatic herbs. Ants also dislike the smell of lavender, which has made this deer-resistant perennial useful for organic ant control.

  English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most commonly grown type and is hardy to zone 5. It blooms in mid-summer.

  If you live in a warm climate, you can consider growing Spanish (L. stoechas) or French lavender (L. dentata), which are hardy to zone 7.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9, depending on species
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, moderately fertile

• 03 of 32

  David Beaulieu

  In addition to the various ornamental species and cultivars of Salvia, there is, of course, the perennial herb, common garden sage (Salvia officianalis), used in flavoring foods such as poultry stuffing. Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' boasts splendid variegated leaves in three colors (white, green, and purple), making it both an ornamental plant and a culinary herb. Although Tricolor sage bears violet blooms, they are not showy: The plant is grown more for its variegated foliage.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, dry to medium moisture
    

• 04 of 32

  David Beaulieu

  Russian sage is not really a sage. It is a sub-shrub treated as a perennial flower and has a scent that the deer do not like. It is valued for its silvery-green foliage and its lavender flowers, which bloom in late summer. This late blooming helps you extend the period when you can enjoy color in the yard: When many other plants are done flowering, Russian sage is just beginning to put on its display.

  Because it is a sub-shrub, care for Russian sage is a bit different from that for the average perennial flower. It will grow up to 5 feet tall, but it is a good idea to prune it heavily to encourage new growth. The flowers bloom on new wood, so prune it down to within 6 inches of the ground in spring. In warm areas, deadheading may even result in a second blooming.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained

• 05 of 32

  David Beaulieu

  This member of the Boraginaceae family may be best known for its speckled foliage. But its floral display is also interesting, giving you pink flowers and blue flowers at the same time. Perhaps most important to gardeners with lots of trees on their properties, it can be grown in the shade garden. Lungwort is one of the earliest plants to bloom in spring.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
  • Soil Needs: Organically rich, well-drained, moist
    

• 06 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  This long-bloomer begins flowering in late spring to early summer and continues for the rest of the growing season with a little help from you: You can make its display of blue flowers last longer by shearing.

  There are many kinds of speedwells. One of the most popular among home gardeners is a cultivar called Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'. From a distance, the plant looks a bit like a small blue salvia. It is another plant suited to zones 3 and 4.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained

• 07 of 32

  The Spruce / Autumn Wood  

  The most widely grown bleeding heart is Lamprocapnos spectabilis (formerly known as Dicentra spectabilis). This deer-resistant perennial can become quite large under the right growing conditions. When that happens, it is a spectacular plant, as the species name suggests.

  Fortunately, for those with shaded areas, common bleeding heart (and its relatives, fringed bleeding heart and Dutchman's breeches) thrives in partial shade. You can grow it in full shade, too, but it won't get as large.

  Even as a smaller plant, it can be a real looker, as your attention is drawn to the uniquely shaped individual flowers. The shape of a bleeding heart's flower lives up to the plant's common name, right down to the little droplet dripping out from the bottom.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full shade to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Moist, fertile, well-drained, slightly acid

• 08 of 32

  Gratysanna / Getty Images

  Fringed bleeding hearts is a smaller plant than its showier cousin, Lamprocapnos spectabilis. Some gardeners prefer this spring bloomer for not only its size, but also its attractive fern-like foliage that lasts through the summer heat, unlike that of common bleeding hearts. It is also hardier, so it's great for those gardening in zones 3 and 4.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full shade to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Moist, fertile, well-drained

• 09 of 32

  Doug Gordon / Getty Images

  Yet another spring-blooming plant in the Dicentra genus is Dutchman's breeches. One look at this plant's unique flowers tells you where it gets its common name.

  Another distinctive feature of this deer-resistant perennial is its short seasonal life. Its leaves do not hang around for very long at all, and soon after it is done flowering, the whole plant (above ground) disappears. You will not see it again until the next spring. But, its hardiness makes it great for those gardening in zones 3 and 4.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
  • Soil Needs: Moist, rich, well-drained, acid

• 10 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  You may know yellow alyssum better by such common names as "Basket of Gold," a reference to both the abundance of its flowers and their striking color. This yellow alyssum, when planted in masses and displayed to best advantage, will give your landscape jaw-dropping beauty in spring.

  Aurinia saxatilis is a short, mat-forming plant, making it an effective ground cover. Its blue-grey leaves only add to its value, as does your ability to grow it in zones 3 and 4.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, poor

• 11 of 32

  The Spruce / Autumn Wood  

  There is a good reason why deer leave this spring bloomer alone: it's poisonous. Digitalis plants are tall, slender perennials at 2 to 5 feet tall and just 1 to 2 feet wide. Their height makes them good choices for the back row of a layered flower bed. Meanwhile, as plants that tolerate dry shade, they are useful for filling up spots in your landscaping where many other plants would be unhappy.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 10
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, loamy

• 12 of 32

  The Spruce / Margot Cavin

  The hardy perennial salvia plants are known for their blue/purple flowers. They are ornamental "sage" plants and related to the herb of the same name. They include a range of species, most of which are considered deer-resistant for the same reason that deer do not eat many other deer-resistant perennials: they stink (to the deer, at least).

  If deer do eat one of these plants, they'll likely go for the flowers before the foliage. Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is a favorite for its dark, graceful flower spikes. If you deadhead them, perennial salvias will bloom from late spring until the first fall frosts.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 10
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, dry to medium moisture

• 13 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Many irises are hardy enough to be grown in zones 3 or 4. It is not just poisonous plants and plants with strong, sharp odors that deer mostly avoid. For some reason, ornamental grasses are not a favorite food, either. And, in addition to plants with unpleasant odors, deer, strangely enough, do not eat plants that smell perfumy.

  That works out well for people who love to grow perennials with sweet-smelling flowers, such as many plants in the Iris genus. Not all irises are equally fragrant. When in doubt, try to find the old-fashioned bearded varieties. Irises come in numerous colors: orange, yellow, reddish, blue, purple, brown, white, black, and pink. Bloom time depends on variety (spring or summer).

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Sandy or gravelly, well-drained, medium moisture

• 14 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Lamb's ear is another case of a deer-resistant perennial that is hard to figure. It is easy to see why deer would not want to eat prickly plants; it is not so easy to figure out why deer are turned off by the velvety leaves of lamb's ear. Maybe they are too dry (like eating wool).

  Lamb's ear spreads easily, making it an effective ground cover. A drought-tolerant perennial, it also works well in rock gardens. Its soft, silver leaves provide a nice backdrop for companion plants. It does flower (in pink, purple, or white), but it is grown mainly for its foliage.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 7
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, dry to medium moisture, slightly acid

• 15 of 32

  The Spruce / Kara Riley

  Lenten rose is one of those spring flowers that bloom early in the season. For this reason, it is much-valued by those who must endure long bouts of cabin fever every winter. It is also valued as a shade plant.

  Technically, the showy feature of this deer-resistant perennial is called a "sepal," as opposed to a true flower petal. Call this feature what you like, but what is impressive is how long the plant retains it, giving you something interesting to look at in the garden for months. The sepals come in purple, red, yellow, green, blue, lavender, and pink.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained

• 16 of 32

  The Spruce / Autumn Wood

  The splendid peony has large, beautiful, fragrant, spring-blooming flowers. It does not need to be fussed over. These flowers live a long life; your peonies may outlive you! If you have never given them a try before, you now have an excuse to do so if you are seeking deer-resistant perennials, especially if you live in zone 2, in which few of the common garden plants are hardy.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly acid

• 17 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Large, brightly-colored, spring-blooming flowers with the texture of crepe paper have long made oriental poppies a favorite in the garden, especially for those seeking cut flowers. Like some of the other deer-resistant perennials, this classic cottage garden plant is toxic. It is another plant suited to zones 3 and 4.

  This is a specimen you will want to locate somewhere where you can fully appreciate the beauty of its flowers during the blooming period (May or June, depending on where you live). Oriental poppies put on a spectacular, although brief, floral show. Dry the pods left over after the blooming period for craft projects.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile

• 18 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' is one of those plants that you grow primarily as a foliage plant. Such plants are like true friends: You can count on them to be there for you after many a fickle flower has deserted you.

  Jack Frost bears small blue flowers in spring, but its most interesting feature is its variegated silver leaves with green veins. It is cold-hardy enough to grow in zones 3 and 4 and takes shade well.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, moist

• 19 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Columbine plants display colorful flowers against a backdrop of attractive, clover-like foliage. They come in many different colors, including bicolored varieties, yellow, white, red, blue, pink, and purple. Columbine is truly one of the stars of the spring garden. It's not only deer-resistant, but it's also drought-tolerant and is attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Gardeners in zones 3 and 4 will appreciate its hardiness.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained

• 20 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  If you like the foliage of columbine, then you would probably also enjoy a plant called Columbine meadow rue. It is called that because of its columbine-like leaves, which make it attractive long after its flowers have disappeared. The plant can produce white, purple, or mauve flowers, which bloom in spring. This is a tall plant, reaching about 3 feet in height, so it's suitable for the back row of a flower bed. Columbine meadow rue is a great choice for woodland gardens because it likes a little shade.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained, loamy, medium moisture

• 21 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Rose campion has silvery foliage. It blooms in late spring with vibrant rose-magenta flowers that last for a long time. This perennial is an invasive plant, so do not make a snap decision about growing it. Many gardeners find that, once established, they have to go around the yard and pull it up from places where it does not belong. To help contain the plants, deadhead the flowers as soon as the bloom is over to prevent the natural spreading of seeds.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Moist to dry, well-drained

• 22 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Delphinium is another old-time favorite for cottage gardens. Plant it next to a south-facing fence with companion plants sprawling at its feet, and let its graceful flower stalks shoot skywards. In addition to their deer resistance, these perennials are valued for their true-blue flowers (although they also bloom in pink, purple, or white). For some types, the sky-blue color is as stunning as it is on the blue morning glory vines (Ipomoea tricolor).

  The center of the flower of larkspur is called the "bee." It has nothing to do with the insect. These bees are sometimes white or black, and they may or may not be distinct. Most larkspurs bloom in early summer.

  Larkspurs are a "live fast, die young" kind of plant. They shoot up quickly and stand head and shoulders above most other flowers but are very short-lived for a perennial.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Fertile, well-drained, evenly moist

• 23 of 32

  David Beaulieu 

  The daffodil grows from a bulb and is another hardy plant suitable for zones 3 and 4. Such bulb plants are often grouped together in their own category. Since, however, daffodils come up every year, they can also be grouped with perennials.

  The daffodil is not only deer-resistant but also resistant to most other pests. In fact, perhaps a bigger pest problem for many growers of bulbs is squirrels, which tend to undo all your hard work by coming along and digging up the bulbs you so carefully planted. But the daffodil is one bulb that squirrels won't touch.

  It is a spring bloomer, nicely complementing the late bloomers on this list in the pursuit of spring-to-fall color in the yard. Besides the classic yellow, it also comes in white, orange, apricot, and pink. Some daffodils have bi-colored flowers.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Moist but well drained

• 24 of 32

  David Beaulieu

  A member of the borage family (like lungwort), blue is the signature color for forget-me-nots, although other colors (white, yellow, pink) do exist. Depending on the variety and the conditions, they bloom in spring or summer. These perennials with tiny but numerous blossoms are fast growers, so they're perfect for impatient gardeners. They are hardy enough to grow in zones 3 and 4.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, moist
    

• 25 of 32

  David Beaulieu

  A long-blooming perennial with daisy-like flowers, tickseed comes in a few colors (yellow, orange, pink, red, maroon). A bushy plant, it begins flowering in early summer and blooms through September if you deadhead it.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, sandy
    

• 26 of 32

  David Beaulieu

  Coneflower is a long-blooming perennial known for attracting birds and butterflies and for bearing attractive, daisy-like flowers in summer. The best-known species is the purple-flowered purpurea, but there are many others. Many can be grown as far north as zone 3. Some of the more popular types now are cultivars such as 'Firebird,' which has orange flowers. Other colors include yellow, white, pink, lavender, and red.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter
    

• 27 of 32

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Rodgersia pinnata is one of those deer-resistant perennials that you can categorize in a number of ways. Some gardeners think of it mainly as an outdoor foliage plant (even though it does produce a plume of flowers), but it is also a shade plant and a good plant to grow in wet areas. The large plumes (1 to 1.5 feet) bloom in June and/or July.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 7
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained

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  AYImages/Getty Images

  Sneezeweed is a late-bloomer, beginning in late summer and continuing (potentially) right up to the first fall frosts. It's also hardy up to zone 3. These features make it invaluable to gardeners trying to squeeze that last bit of color out of the garden before winter sets in, or people who garden in areas with cold winters.

  This North American native becomes 2 to 5 feet tall, suiting it to the middle or back row of a flower bed.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
    

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  David Beaulieu

  A good choice for zones 3 and 4, yarrow blooms during the summer and fall. Flower colors include purple, white, yellow, pink, orange, red, and bi-colored. A butterfly magnet, this long-blooming perennial sports fragrant, feathery foliage and flattened flower clusters.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained
    

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  vermontalm/Getty Images

  Bee balm offers an extra-hardy option, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in zones 3 and 4. Many grow this native North American wildflower for its ability to attract birds, bees, and butterflies. It bears brightly colored flowers throughout much of the summer

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, moist
    

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  Masahiro Nakano/a.collectionRF/Getty Images

  Also known as Jack-in-the-pulpit, this curious plant is not grown for its flowers, which appear in spring: It is grown for the unusual housing for those flowers. The "pulpit" is a hood-like structure that sits atop this perennial. "Jack" is the little spike that stands up within this hood and contains the flowers.

  If you like plants that are cute and funky, this North American native could be a good one for you to grow. You have extra reasons to grow it if you garden in the shade and your yard suffers from deer attacks.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, damp, acid

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  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

  Wall germander is another perennial herb or subshrub that deer tend not to eat. This perennial for zones 5 to 9 does wonders in the knot gardens of traditional formal landscapes since you can grow it in rows to form "living edging." Wall germander is not as well known as it once was, but it's making a comeback as a plant whose flowers attract bees. Visually, however, the lavender or purple flowers, which bloom in July, are unimpressive; the plant is grown for its foliage.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, dry to medium moisture

Tip

Learning about deer-resistant plant types is a good start, but local gardeners and extension services will give you even more ideas for plants that thrive locally and are generally avoided by deer. Ask around!

30 Prettiest Flowers in the World

Which perennials don't eat deer

If deer visit your garden, you can scare them away by filling your landscape with perennials that deer don't like.

Many herbs used in traditional herbal medicine are avoided by deer, including Echinacea purpurea.

Create a deer-resistant garden by filling it with deer-resistant perennials. This group of plants includes beautiful flowering plants as well as perennials with attractive foliage. Plants that deer do not like usually have certain qualities that these four-legged rodents find unpleasant. Although deer usually leave these plants alone, no plant is reliable. If a deer is hungry enough, it will be able to gnaw on any plant.

In general, deer-resistant perennials boast characteristics such as bitter taste, thorny stems, or strong smell. Other plants have prickly or rough leaves. For example, fluffy leaves of Chistets Byzantine (Stachys byzantina), cuff (Alchemilla mollis), Cretan oregano (Origanum dictamnus) and mullein (Verbascum) are usually left alone.

Deer commonly switch to perennial herbs including oregano (Origanum vulgare), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and thyme (Thymus). Mints, including members of the mint family such as lemon balm (Monarda didyma), are also deer-resistant perennials. Perovskia swan-leaved (Perovskia atriplicifolia) with its strong smell is another perennial plant that deer usually do not touch.

Some perennials have thick, stiff leaves, such as Helleborus, while others have a spiny appearance. Perennials include plants such as acanthus (Acanthus mollis), oriental poppy (Papaver orientale) and globular thistle (Echinops ritro).

Deer also avoid leaves with coarse hairs that create a rough, sandpaper-like surface. This group includes coral bluebells (Heuchera), black-eyed susanna (Rudbeckia hirta), large-flowered gaillardia (Gaillardia x grandiflora) and hybrid anemone (Anemone x hybrida). Other plants that provide tactile sensations, such as wormwood or astilbe (Astilbe chinensis), also seem unpleasant to deer.

Deer avoid many of the plants used in traditional herbal medicine. These perennials include purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa). Plants such as aconite (Aconitum napellus), purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and delphinium contain chemical compounds with poisonous properties - deer usually do not touch these plants.

Some perennials have sap that is unpleasant for deer. Such succulent plants include Australian baptisia (Baptisia australis), spurge (Euphorbia polychroma) and Dicentra magnificent (Dicentra spectabilis). Deer also leave daffodils (daffodils) alone, presumably because of the sap.

Create an entire deer-resistant garden using only plants that deer don't like. Or place perennials among other plantings. For example, plant deer-resistant perennials around plants they usually like, such as garden phlox or hosta. Or scatter plants that the deer don't like throughout the planting area, using them heavily around the edges of the beds, so that the deer get the impression that there is nothing in the planting that they like.

You can tell that deer are nibbling at your perennials for the damage they have left. By the time the plants mature in late spring, deer tend to rip off the tops of the plants rather than eating them to the ground. Deer do not have upper incisors (front teeth), so when they close their mouths over a plant, they jerk their head and pull out part of the plant. This leaves ragged, jagged edges on the leaves or stems.

More on the subject:

Deer resistant perennials - I Know

Echinacea is deer resistant.

While the selection of deer-resistant perennials is not reliable, it can discourage deer from snacking on your flower garden. In rural areas and suburbs, deer are the main pests of gardens. A hungry deer can devastate a garden overnight, eating bushes and flowers right up to the stumps. Choosing unpalatable plants, deer move to another place for lunch.

Selection of deer-resistant perennials

No plant is truly "deer-resistant". Hungry deer are known to eat shrubs and tree bark. But some plants are not very palatable to deer. They may nibble on them from time to time, but they generally don't eat through an entire garden in one night.

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Spring blooming flowers

Spring can be the worst time for deer. If your area has had a particularly harsh winter, deer may be hungrier in early spring and seek out any green plants for food. Some flowers that bloom in early spring are usually deer resistant. These include daffodils, which, although technically bulbs, come back year after year. Daffodils are also resistant to other animals, such as squirrels, who tend to dig up other bulbs, such as tulips, for snacking. Other common spring flowering perennials that deer usually leave alone include primrose (Primula), bleeding heart (Dicentra), lungwort (Pulmonaria), and false indigo (Baptisia). Peonies (Paeonia) are also deer resistant. Deer not only do not like flowers, but also do not eat foliage.

Summer blooming deer resistant flowers

Deer have plenty to choose from in the wild during the summer months. Grass and clover, two of their favorite foods, are usually plentiful. However, deer can still nibble on tempting flowers, so choosing summer-blooming perennials that deer don't like deters them from damaging the flowers.

Many deer-resistant summer blooms are available. These include:

• Echinacea: Whether you choose the traditional purple Echinacea or white, yellow or other colors now available on the market, all Echinacea varieties are deer resistant.
• Platycodon : Platycodon, also called Balloon Flower, has large purple or white lantern-shaped flowers. They bloom from early to mid summer and are deer resistant.
• Yarrow (yarrow): all types of yarrow repel deer. The traditional yellow yarrow is quite popular, but other colors look great in the garden and are equally deer resistant.
• Coreopsis (Tickseed): Coreopsis spreads easily and comes in many colors. It is also hardy and deer resistant, making it a great choice for deer plagued gardens.
• Iris: Iris not only spreads easily throughout the garden, but these showy sun-loving perennials are quite resistant to deer.
• Herbs : Certain perennial herbs are also not liked by deer, including lavender, oregano, and mint.

Deer guarding the garden

The only way to keep deer out of the garden is to build an eight-foot or smaller fence with an electric wire on top.

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