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Perennials that deer will not eat


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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22 Best Deer-Resistant Perennial Plants

By

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. He was in the nursery business for over a decade, working with a large variety of plants. David has been interviewed by numerous newspapers and national U.S. magazines, such as Woman's World and American Way.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/09/22

The Spruce / Autumn Wood 

When you call certain plants deer-resistant perennials, it does not mean that Bambi never eats them. Rather, the term is meant to call attention to plants that deer find less attractive than the other choices on its menu. But do be aware that deer will eat just about anything when they are starving, lest you be lulled into a false sense of security.

This tactic in deer control simply 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 22 perennials listed here are considered deer-resistant and are hardy to at least USDA planting zone 5 (unless otherwise noted).

Warning

Some deer-resistant plants should not are toxic to humans and pets, so be wary of the following plants:

A State-by-State Guide to Deer Resistant Plants

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. So ask around!

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants. University of California

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 bushes 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.

Spring blooming flowers

Spring can be the worst time for reindeer. 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. nine0003

Summer blooming deer-resistant flowers

During the summer months, deer have plenty to choose from in the wild. 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:

Deer guard the garden

The only way to keep deer out of the garden is to build an eight-foot fence or a smaller fence with an electric wire on top. Deer can easily jump over a standard garden fence, but the addition of electrical wire often keeps them out of the garden.

Some products repel deer but may contain harsh chemicals. Many home remedies also keep deer away in the garden, such as by placing bars of soap or garlic around the plants, tufts of dog or human hair, or other objects with a strong predatory scent. nine0003

Deer are resourceful and agile, and no deer scaring method works 100% of the time. But by choosing deer-resistant perennials and other plants, you've already done a lot to keep deer out of your garden. Deer may nibble on such plants to taste them, but once they get a taste, they will likely leave them alone.

List of plants, shrubs and trees that deer do not eat - Ideas for the home

Deer love to gnaw on the tips of delicious plants. nine0003

When planning your landscaping in areas where deer live, consider choosing deer-resistant plants, trees, and shrubs. Garden fencing rarely works because deer can jump over fences of any height. Choosing plants that the animals find unpleasant gives the best chance that the deer will protect the garden and reduce the damage an unwanted visitation can cause.

Trees


Southern magnolia offers attractive foliage and flowers. nine0003

According to the North Carolina State University website, the southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) grows to a height of approximately 90 feet and is resistant to deer. The glossy green leaves are up to 8 inches long and are rarely attacked by deer. In spring, the tree produces fragrant white flowers that can be up to 12 inches in diameter. Grows well in USDA zones 7-9.

In areas that suffer from cold winters, consider planting a common locust tree (Gleditsia triacanthos) that can withstand USDA zone 4 temperatures. According to the Oregon State University website, the tree is rarely visited by deer. The deciduous tree grows up to 60 feet in height. It produces 8-inch leaves that turn bright yellow during the fall months. nine0003

Shrubs


Oleander tolerates salt fog well.

Texas A&N The M University website lists oleander (Nerium oleander) as a deer resistant shrub. It grows up to 20 feet tall. This evergreen plant produces spear-shaped foliage. During the summer months, it produces flowers in shades of salmon, pink, red, lavender, and white. All parts of the oleander are poisonous, so care should be taken when planting the bush in areas frequented by children or pets. The bush grows best in bright sunlight. Hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10.

Cold hardy Russian olive shrub (Elaeagnus angustifolia) grows well in USDA zones 3-8. It is listed on the West Virginia University Help Desk website as a deer-resistant shrub. It grows up to 20 feet tall. The Russian olive is a low maintenance shrub with attractive silvery green foliage. The shrub has a tendency to invasive. It can be carefully trained to form a tree or grown as a hedge. It grows well in wet or dry soils and has the ability to fix nitrogen in nutrient-poor soil. Plant the Russian olive in full sun or partial shade. nine0003

Plants


Iceland poppy is difficult to transplant, but germinates easily from seed.

Lamb ear (Stachys byzantina) grows as a perennial in USDA zones 4-7, but in zones 8 and above, the plant must be treated as an annual because it cannot survive the summer heat. Lamb's ear grows like a mat, making it an ideal groundcover. It produces 4-inch thick leaves that grow in a rosette shape.

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