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Plants that are deer proof


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17 shrubs, perennials and annuals |

(Image credit: Robert Muckley / Getty Images)

If deer are prevalent in your area, then deer resistant plants are an essential addition to your garden.

While deer are shy animals, when hungry they will often stray into gardens and eat prized plants – putting a huge dent in your backyard ideas.

‘One thing to keep in mind is that if the deer are hungry, they will eat just about anything. So even though a plant may be considered deer resistant, it may still be targeted,’ says Jo Ellen Meyers-Sharp, gardening coach and creator of Hoosiergardener , and a member of the National Garden Bureau .

This makes it important to also consider how hardy your plants are, and whether they will easily recover from a deer munching session.

‘Gardeners don’t spend money on their plants to have them be a salad bar for deer, so many gardeners use repellents to keep deer away.’

While you can’t create a 100 per cent deer-proof garden, there is a wide voice of deer resistant plants available to help deter them and minimize any damage.

Best deer resistant plants

Whether you are looking for evergreen shrubs to serve as the backbone of your garden scheme, or annuals to fill in gaps in pots and borders, there are some wonderful deer resistant plants to choose from.

We asked the experts for their top picks.

Deer resistant shrubs

Shrubs provide much of the structure and interest in our gardens year round. Some are evergreen, adding color and interest in every season.

1. Panicle hydrangea

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Panicle hydrangeas – or Hydrangea paniculata – are moderately fast-growing shrubs that are not favored by deer. However, even if they do have a munch, the plants are hardy, so should recover well.

‘Panicle hydrangeas have flowers in the white to pink to light red range. They bloom during the summer months and the flowers last through fall, typically fading to a handsome light tan as temperatures drop before winter,’ says Sam Schmitz, horticulturist for Ball Horticulture .

‘There are many different varieties that range in mature size from 2ft x 2ft to 8ftx8ft. These shrubs are best in full sun but can also tolerate light shade.’

Make sure you know how to grow hydrangeas to get the best out of them.

2. Osmanthus

(Image credit: Clive Nichols / Getty Images)

‘Osmanthus is an easy-to-grow shrub that can tolerate many different soils and light levels. It is often used for hedging and privacy screens,’ says Michael Giannelli of East Hampton Gardens .

It produces a cluster of tiny white flowers that emit a sweet fragrance similar to magnolias and gardenias.

Its scent and the plant’s spiny leaves also make it unappealing to deer. ‘This has the consequence of making them difficult to handle, although there are smoother varieties available, like Carl Wheeler,’ adds Giannelli.

You can grow osmanthus in USDA zones 7-10.

3. Lavender

(Image credit: Adrian Wombwell / Getty Images)

Lavender’s scent may be heavenly to us, but deer tend to dislike it, making it an ideal shrub for your garden.

‘Lavender grows best in well-drained soil with full sun exposure,’ says Lindsey Hyland, founder of Urban Organic Yield .

‘It does not require a lot of maintenance, but can sometimes be susceptible to pests like mites and aphids. ’

Learning how to grow lavender is easy for gardeners in most climates, however the plant dislikes humidity. Expect to be able to grow it in ​​zones 5a to 9a.

4. Ninebark

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Ninebark – or Physocarpus opulifolius – is a fast-growing, medium to large shrub that typically produces frothy white flowers in late spring and early summer.

‘To add to this, the plants come in foliage colors of bronze-red, burgundy, purple, chartreuse, and a few others,’ says Schmitz. ‘

'These shrubs are quite lovely and very easy to maintain. They are happiest planted in full sun but can tolerate a few hours of shade a day.’

Ninebark is also a great choice for colder climates, and can be planted in USDA zones 2-7.

5. Japanese andromeda

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Japanese andromeda – or pieris – has a distinctive scent that some gardeners like and others avoid – however, it smells particularly unpleasant to deer.

‘Andromeda is sometimes referred to as the lily of the valley plant as its early spring flowers look similar,’ says Giannelli

‘It is a great evergreen shrub that changes color as the season progresses, setting long clusters of buds in fall for great winter interest.’

However, bear in mind that andromeda are fussy about soil type. ’They need very well-drained acidic soil,’ adds Giannelli.

If your soil is more alkaline, then the best thing to do is to grow them in containers. They should thrive in USDA zones 5-8.

6. Red twig dogwood

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

'Red twig dogwoods are mainly grown for their attractive foliage and bright red stems,’ says Schmitz. These particularly come into their own in winter.

The shrubs are deer resistant plants, but if deer do try to eat them, the good news is that red twig dogwoods are fast growing and tolerate harsh pruning, meaning they will easily spring back.

‘They are adaptable to a number of environmental conditions. You can grow them in full sun or up to 50 per cent shade,’ adds Schmitz.

‘Bear in mind that red twig dogwoods can become large over time, but maintaining their size is simple. These can be pruned any time of the year and can be transplanted quite easily.’

Keep on top of maintenance by removing old or diseased canes and keep the shrub looking tidy. 

Grow them in USDA zones 3-8, and also consider other types of dogwoods that can be used, which range from medium shrubs to small trees.

Deer resistant perennials

There are many deer resistant perennials available that will make a beautiful feature in your borders. Discover the experts' top picks.

1. Buddleia

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Also known as butterfly bushes for being highly attractive to these precious pollinators, buddleia are not appealing to deer.

‘Though shrubs, buddleia behave more like woody perennials, as in colder areas they dye back almost to the ground each winter and regrow their full size through the season,’ explains Schmitz.  

If the plant doesn’t completely die back, it’s a good idea to cut it right back anyway.

‘They grow quickly as they come back up and can reach 6-7 foot tall in a single season. The flowers can be white, blue, cranberry, purple, lavender, and pink with many shades in between.’

Buddleia require full sun in order to thrive, and can be grown in USDA zones 4-10, depending on the variety. 

As it grows so fast, ensure you know how to prune buddleia to keep it under control and looking its best.

2. Purple coneflower

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Also known as echinacea, purple coneflower is a popular plant among pollinators – but its fragrance and spiny center make it unappealing to deer.

‘A native perennial, purple coneflower prefers moist, well-drained soils but is drought tolerant once established,’ says Millie Davenport, director of the Clemson Extension Home and Garden Information Center .

The plants die back to the ground over winter, and can grow up to 4 feet tall in the growing season.

‘Not only a great nectar source for pollinating insects, birds also enjoy the seedheads of purple coneflower in the fall,’ adds Davenport.

You should be able to grow purple coneflower in USDA zones 3-9.

3. Bearded iris

(Image credit: Unsplash)

The scent and taste of bearded iris is unpalatable to deer, but its exotic-looking blooms are a beautiful addition to the spring and summer garden.

‘Some varieties, such as Immortality, rebloom in late summer and early fall,’ says Meyers-Sharp.

‘Each flower can be one color or it can have two or more colors.’

You can grow bearded iris in a sunny spot in well-draining soil, in USDA zones 3-9 – learn how to grow irises properly to make sure they flower. 

‘Cut back the leaves in the fall,’ adds Meyers-Sharp. ‘When planting, make sure the rhizome (underground stem) is right at, or slightly above the soil surface. If planted too deep, the iris will not bloom.’

4. Baptisia

(Image credit: Getty Images)

'Baptista – or false indigo – is a perennial herb native to much of central and eastern North America, and is a great deer resistant plant,’ says Davenport.

It prefers moist, well-drained soil but is drought tolerant once established. You should be able to grow it in zones 5-9.

‘Though disliked by deer, it is a host plant for the larvae of several butterfly species, including orange sulphur, clouded sulphur, frosted elfin, eastern tailed blue, hoary edge, and wild indigo duskywing,’ adds Davenport.

Deer resistant annuals

Don't forget annuals when choosing deer resistant plants for your garden – these are ideal for filling in gaps and many have a long flowering season.

1. Cosmos

(Image credit: Thompson & Morgan)

Not only are cosmos deer resistant plants, but they are beloved of pollinators, make great cut flowers, and fill out summer borders wonderfully.

‘Cosmos are beautiful airy plants that thrive in full sun, although they’re fine with some shade too,’ says Teri Knight, radio show presenter, and founder of the Garden Bite podcast and website .

‘They are easy to grow handling hot, dry conditions, and you can grow them from seed or potted plants. ’

It’s so easy to learn how to grow cosmos as an annual in most climates, and they make such an impact in the garden. Choose from dazzling pinks through buttercup yellow and purest white.

2. Flowering tobacco

(Image credit: Getty Images)

‘Flowering tobacco – or Nicotiana alata – has wonderfully fragrant flowers, especially at night, so plant in a sunny area where you can enjoy the perfume,’ says Meyers-Sharp. 

However, deer won’t enjoy their heavenly fragrance quite so much, which makes them a great deer resistant plant.

‘Hummingbirds, hummingbird moths and other night pollinators also visit these native plants,’ adds Meyers-Sharp. 

‘Nicotiana sylvestris, or woodland flowering tobacco, tolerates shade and is also fragrant.’

As old-fashioned plants, flowering tobacco are also a great addition to your cottage garden ideas, working well in borders and containers.

3. Dusty miller

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Though technically a herbaceous perennial, dusty miller – or Senecio cineraria – is usually grown as an annual, and is prized for its silvery grey foliage that acts as the perfect foil for nearby flowers.  

‘Dusty Miller is such a fantastic silver plant that will highlight the colors of other plants,’ says Knight.

It’s adaptable to various soil types, and can cope well with drought-like conditions. Being a Mediterranean plant, it does like full sun, so don’t plant it in the shade.

‘Plant potted plants in the ground or in a container that has good drainage,’ adds Knight.

4. Lantana

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lantana is another perennial that is grown as a summer annual. ‘If you live in the south and south-west, you may find it to be winter hardy,’ says Meyers-Sharp. 

Due to the flowers’ strong fragrance and the plant’s rough texture, lantana is usually avoided by deer. However, it is a magnet for pollinators and hummingbirds. 

‘Lantana can take about as much heat and sun as you want to give it. It’s also fairly drought tolerant,’ adds Meyers-Sharp.

It’s ideal for adding to colorful borders and also grows beautifully in containers.

Deer resistant plants for shade

'It’s fairly easy to find deer resistant plants that love the sun, but shade plants can be tricky,' says Knight.

Luckily there are a few great choices to add to shady spots in the garden.

1. Bleeding heart

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Also known as Dicentra spectabilis, bleeding heart is a shade-tolerant herbaceous perennial named for its heart-shaped flowers that is repellant to deer. 

Native to woodlands, it pops up in borders in the spring giving much-needed color, before dying back just in time for the summer showstoppers to take its place.

‘Bleeding heart is an old-fashioned plant with plenty of appeal to last,’ says Knight. ‘There are many cultivars now including ‘Golden Hearts Bleeding’ with its chartreuse leaves.

‘Growing to a compact 2ft x 2ft, this beauty tucked in around your hostas just might be able to give them some protection.’

You can grow bleeding heart in USDA zones 3-9.

2. Ferns

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lush leafy ferns tend to be overlooked by deer, but make a lovely textural addition to a shade garden.

‘I particularly like autumn fern, Christmas fern and Japanese painted fern – their height reaches anything from 10-36 inches tall,’ says Davenport.

‘Ferns prefer moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter.’

Their hardiness is dependent on the variety, but you should be able to find ferns to grow in as low as zone 2.

3. Hellebores

(Image credit: Future)

As well as offering winter interest to gardens, hellebores are also highly deer resistant. Evergreen plants with jewel-colored flowers, they will tolerate dry shade.

‘Depending on the variety, hellebores bloom from early winter into June, and they even bloom in snow,’ says Meyers-Sharp.

It’s easy to learn how to grow hellebores , with varieties suitable for USDA zones 3-9.

‘A lot of gardeners trim off the winter-damaged leaves in spring as the plants begin to bloom, but it’s not necessary,’ says Meyers-Sharp.

What plants do deer hate the most?

'Deer generally dislike plants with aromatic foliage, such as rosemary and sage,' says Hyland. 'They also avoid statuesque plants such as yews, hollies, and boxwoods.'

Anything spiny or fuzzy will also be unpalatable to deer – so consider a plant's texture.

What plants do deer eat the most?

Deer tend to adapt well to their local habitat and enjoy many of the plants that are grown there. They particularly enjoy eating tulips and hostas.

'In rural areas, they tend to browse crops such as soybeans, grains, vegetables and fruits,' says Davenport.

'However, the bottom line is that no plant is deer-proof. They prefer some plants over others, but they will eat what is available when they have no other choice.'

For more information, see the Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center Website and HGIC Deer Resistant Plants for the Landscape- Annuals & Perennials.

As editor of Period Living, Britain's best-selling period homes magazine, Melanie loves the charm of older properties. I live in a rural village just outside the Cotswolds in England, so am lucky to be surrounded by beautiful homes and countryside, where I enjoy exploring. Having worked in the industry for almost two decades, Melanie is interested in all aspects of homes and gardens. Her previous roles include working on Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating, and she has also contributed to Gardening Etc. She has an English degree and has also studied interior design. Melanie frequently writes for Homes & Gardens about property restoration and gardening.

Wild deer of Vishera | State Reserve "Vishersky"

The Vishersky Ural is one of the most beautiful places in the Perm Territory. Nature lovers are attracted to these places not only by mountain landscapes and majestic taiga expanses, but also by the wildlife of the reserve. Today, about the largest representative of the fauna of the subarctic - the reindeer, the material is acting. Sergey Zimin, Deputy Director for Research and Development:

- About a hundred of these beautiful animals live in the Vishera Reserve in summer. In winter, their number increases to 200-300 due to the influx of animals migrating to the protected mountains from neighboring plains: from the northern regions of the Kama region, the Sverdlovsk region, the Khanty-Mansiysk district and the Komi Republic. Reindeer is one of the most vulnerable among the protected species of the Vishera Reserve.

If we turn to the history of the species, it is the following. The wild reindeer in our country was once very widespread, but in the 19th century the area of ​​its distribution (range) decreased many times over, and the reindeer almost completely disappeared in the European part of the country. Back in the middle of the 19th century, reindeer were hunted in the Arkhangelsk, Olonets, St. Petersburg, Vologda, Nizhny Novgorod, Yaroslavl, Tver, Kostroma, Novgorod and, hard to imagine, Moscow provinces. Currently, reindeer in this territory have disappeared. The largest domestic herds in the European part remained in places of traditional reindeer herding, primarily in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug and in the north of the Komi Republic. There are tens of thousands of them here. There are insignificant groups of wild deer in the "internal" regions of the Kola Peninsula and in the middle part of Karelia. Scattered small herds are still found in remote places of the Arkhangelsk region and the Komi Republic. It is to this category that the Vishera group of wild reindeer, which has been preserved on the territory of the Vishera reserve, belongs.

With the current availability of modern snowmobile equipment and a variety of hunting weapons, it can be said with confidence that the creation of our protected area was a decisive factor in the preservation of this beautiful and graceful animal in the Perm region. Therefore, in order to preserve these ungulates, it is necessary to continue to take appropriate measures to protect it.

Currently, the wild reindeer is not listed in the Red Book of the Perm Territory, although according to long-term observations, its number in the reserve does not exceed 300-350 heads. This is planned to be done in 2018.

Wild reindeer is the coat of arms of the Krasnovishersky district. It would seem that a lot is known about him. But it's not. There are many questions. What, for example, is its exact number? what are the migration paths? where is the hotel located? what is the gender and age structure?, what is the influence of neighboring administrative districts (Komi Republic and Sverdlovsk region)? etc.

To study the wild reindeer, the scientific department of the Vishera Reserve conducts regular expeditions around the territory; there are observations at stationary posts. Security inspectors also assist us by transmitting data received in the field during the period of duty, setting camera traps in certain areas.

This year, thanks to the management of the reserve, two Buran snowmobiles were purchased for the scientific department, which greatly facilitated the work in this direction. The "scientists" plan to purchase GPS collars - they are the most technologically advanced way to study animals subject to wide annual migration.

Many residents of the Krasnovishersky district remember the once large herd of domesticated deer of the Bakhtiyarov family on the Kvarkush ridge. For the last ten years, information about these animals has already been missing. And this is a clear example that the reindeer is an easy prey in front of the predatory ways of hunting a person. For example, when he swims across water barriers, i.e. when he is in a helpless and defenseless state. In addition, predators such as the wolf and wolverine pose a serious danger to the reindeer. In the warm period of the year, the bear is also unlikely to refuse to pass by the gaping deer.

Where do deer live? In winter, animals spend in pre-bald woodlands, periodically visit the surrounding river valleys. In the winter food of wild reindeer, the main diet is reindeer moss - a mixture of different types of lichens containing a lot of carbohydrates, but few proteins, vitamins and minerals. The absence of them in the diet during the long winter weakens the organism of animals. Therefore, it is not uncommon for deer to gnaw on discarded antlers, and, unlike other deer, antlers grow both in males (irvas) and females (imbass). Males shed their horns in the fall after the rut, while females wear them all winter and shed them in the spring before calving. The average life expectancy of a wild deer is about 15 years.

In summer, deer go to the forest zone, where shoots of sedges, grasses, and cotton grass appear. These green plants are more complete in terms of nutrition than reindeer moss. Eating them, deer quickly get stronger.

Before calving, the queens leave the herd and go to secluded places. As a rule, these are dry depressions well protected from the wind. Calving time - May-June. More often they bring one calf (fawn), less often two. The usual coat color of a newborn is from red to light brown. The beginning of the molt takes place in the second half of June. At the same time, the deer herds break up. Moulting animals are especially sensitive to the bites of blood-sucking insects, so they rush to highlands, to snowfields. There they spend most of the hot summer days. In those areas where there are no snowfields, animals climb into the water of oxbow lakes and rivers or remain on well-ventilated mountain crests.

The rut of wild reindeer starts in the first half of September. The number of "harems" in breeding males can reach 8-10 females. During the rutting period, tournament fights are not uncommon between bulls, which can injure animals. It was at this time that wild reindeer males often appear among domestic herds, where they cause a lot of anxiety to shepherds, as they knock down "harems" from domestic queens and steal them into the taiga. In our region, this is possible only with small herds of domestic Mansi deer in the Sverdlovsk region. In general, this incest produces a larger, more prolific and disease-resistant herd, but the animals are more obstinate and difficult to train.

In general, the wild reindeer is a very flexible species and is adapted to living in vast areas. And our Vishera group, being the southernmost in the Urals, is of great interest and requires serious attention for its protection and study.

Press Service of the Vishera Nature Reserve

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How to scare away deer from the site?

Deer are herbivores that can cause damage to the site. They love to eat vegetables and flowers, but also willingly eat seedlings of fruit and ornamental trees. Intruders are often complained about by gardeners whose crops are very close to forests. However, it often happens that they can travel quite a distance in search of food. What needs to be done so that the site is not destroyed by them? How to effectively scare them away? Why is soap helpful? Let's see.

Fence

The most common and probably the best way is to invest in a decent fence. Unfortunately, for the fence to be indestructible, it must be really high. The hunters say that the obstacle cannot be lower than 2.5 m, because a hungry deer can jump over it. Foresters argue that it is worth investing in an efficient forest grid.

Deer protection

Deer are very shy animals, so it's worth using it. You don't have to invest in expensive devices because there are cheap ways to contain them. Among cultivated plants, it is enough to drive in rods on which empty jars are to be placed; driven by gusts of wind, they make a characteristic sound. You can also place other items on fruit trees such as wind chimes or windmills. If, despite efforts, deer still visit the site, it is best to purchase special repellents from garden stores or online auctions; some of them have a range of up to 150 m.

Unusual ways to deal with deer

There are also special ways from deer that visit our sites. These magnificent animals have a sensitive sense of smell, which, combined with their shyness, can be used with success. It is enough to put objects that are inextricably linked with a person. What will be useful? Sweaty clothes - a specific smell will effectively prevent frequent visits. You can use human hair; it is enough to put them in stockings - this will effectively deter hungry deer. However, it is worth remembering that the “human” smell evaporates quickly, and from time to time items need to be replaced. Another proven method is to distribute scented soaps on the site. Just cut a few cubes and place the particles between the plants and around the fence at a distance of about 3 m.

natural methods

Although deer are not picky, there are plants that are not their delicacy. It is worth knowing which of them can be planted on the site, and thereby get rid of the frequent visits of guests. It is best to place on the outskirts of the site. Inedible plants for deer are: sage, lavender, begonia, daffodils, irises, marigolds, zinnia, boxwood, pine and spruce. In addition, these animals do not like intense aromas, so several heads of garlic or onions can be laid out in the garden. It is also worth hanging hot peppers on the fence; after eating them, they will associate your site with an unpleasant taste. It turns out that spraying egg slurry will be quite useful in the fight against deer. It is easy to prepare a safe and natural remedy: six eggs need to be mixed with two liters of water. Such a mixture should be used on the site. However, it doesn't work all the time; you should repeat the above procedure from time to time.

Other Methods

If none of the above methods help with deer, you should invest in an "electric shepherd". The wire should be placed at three different heights: 25 cm, 60 cm and 100 cm. Touching such a fence will cause a gentle effect on the animal; this will effectively deter them and discourage future visits. Proper installation creates a magnetic field that is not perceived by humans, but will prevent deer from attempting to approach the site.

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