Deer-Resistant Plants

Tim Green
Mar 6, 2017
2 min read

If there's one thing we have in common as gardeners, it's the need to ward off unwelcome wildlife. For many, that means deer. If the best defense is a good offense, then it makes sense to start by choosing deer resistant plants.

Plants Deer Like to Eat

Deer love narrow-leaf evergreens, especially arborvitae and fir, and show a preference for hostas, daylilies, and English ivy.
The heaviest garden browsing is from October through February.
Many growers note that deer seem to prefer plants that have been fertilized.

Plants Deer Do Not Like to Eat (Usually)

Bear in mind that the first rule of deer-proofing is that there are really no plants that are completely deer-proof. Nevertheless, here are plants that deer (usually) do not like to eat:
Deer tend to stay away from poisonous plants. Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are common flowers that have a toxicity that deer avoid.
Deer turn their noses up at fragrant plants with strong scents. Herbs such as sages, ornamental salvias, lavenders, peonies, and bearded irises are among these “stinky” plants.
Deer do not like plants that are prickly (unless they’re desperate), such as lamb’s ear.
Bleeding hearts are popular with us, but not deer.

Trees