38 Deer-Resistant Plants to Protect Your Garden From Bambi and Friends
These beauties are your best chance against hungry four-legged friends.
We love Bambi, but in our garden? Not so much. Unfortunately, hungry deer can devour your plants overnight. And when competition for food is high, or if it's been a rough winter, they will eat almost anything in your garden—even plants they left alone in previous years. Fear not though—deer-resistant plants could help reduce the destruction.
Of course, the most effective way to protect your plants is to erect a fence, but fences need to be six to eight feet high to prevent jumping...and that's costly and not always practical (or pretty). You also can try odor and taste repellants that you spray on plants, but effectiveness is unpredictable. (Not to mention they also must be applied regularly and again after rain and snow, which gets to be annoying and time-consuming.) Plus, some deer just ignore the stinkiness or bitter taste anyhow and keep chowing down.
Now, no matter what you've read about DIY solutions, such as hanging bars of soap or hair, these home remedies haven't been proven effective. In fact, in some cases, they will eat the soap! And unfortunately, all types of deer repellants are most effective before the four-legged friends become a problem in your yard.
By planting deer-resistant plants, however, you can at least increase the odds that the hungry animals will browse elsewhere. But remember that there's no such thing as deer-proof plants, only deer-resistant plants. While they're typically less likely to feast on plants with highly aromatic, fuzzy, or prickly leaves, there are no guarantees about what your neighborhood Bambi will (or won't!) eat.
That being said, these hardy shrubs, pretty perennials, and easy annuals are generally less tempting to them than others.
Boxwood
This classic landscape shrub can be left natural or sheared into neater shapes. Deer don't like its texture, so it's a good option if you want an evergreen.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Lavender
The dreamy scent and lovely, silvery foliage make this perennial a must-have in any garden. There are several different types: Make sure to choose one that will survive winters in your USDA Hardiness zone. The strong scent keeps deer away.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Japanese Forest Grass
If you love the look of grass, this one has bright gold striping and is lovely when planted in masses. Deer don't like the sharp edges.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Allium
This ornamental allium is quite striking in the spring garden—and, of course, deer don't like its scent. Plant it in the fall for spring blooms.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Hellebore
Also called Lenten rose, this stunning perennial blooms in late winter to early spring. Its striking flowers are not enticing to deer most of the time.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Winter Aconite
This petite flower blooms in late winter or very early spring, just when you're tired of the gloom. Deer don't bother with it because it contains a toxic substance when ingested. Plant the bulbs in fall for spring blooms.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Dusty Miller
This silvery annual has a soft, pretty foliage that looks great with many other annuals in mixed containers. Deer don't like the velvety texture.
Agastache
Agastache, also called hummingbird mint, has a minty scent deer don't like. But the pretty flower spikes of this perennial last for most of the summer. Of course, hummingbirds love it!
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 10
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart is an old-fashioned favorite with its delicate heart-shaped flowers that appear in late spring. Deer hardly ever bother with it.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Daffodil
The sunny yellow heads of these spring-blooming bulbs are some of the earliest signs of spring. Plant the bulbs in fall for spring blooms. Deer leave them alone because they contain lycorine and other alkaloids which are toxic when ingested.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Daphne
This shrub has lovely, sweetly scented flowers that appear in late winter or early spring. It's a true standout in warm season gardens, and deer tend to avoid it.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 9
Dwarf Alberta Spruce
The cute conical shape of this tree makes it an attractive landscape plant, but deer typically don't like its texture. It keeps its "Christmas tree" shape without pruning.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 9
Sage
Sage is a pretty perennial herb that deer don't like due to its fuzzy texture and strong scent. Plant this in pots and beds.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Peony
The lush blooms of this perennial in late spring to early summer are showstoppers! Its strong fragrance keeps deer away.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Rosemary
Rosemary has a pleasant pine-like scent, but deer don't like it. It's native to the Mediterranean, so it's perennial in warm climates, but treated as an annual in cold parts of the country.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 11
Iris
A lovely perennial that comes in many different colors, deer don't like the flowers or the texture of its sword-like foliage.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Pieris
This pretty shrub has clusters of white or pink flowers in early spring—and deer don't generally like it.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Lamb's Ear
Silvery, fuzzy leaves reminiscent of—you guessed it—a real lamb's ears make this a fun perennial for any border planting. Spikes of purple flowers, which pollinators love, appear in early summer.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Abelia
This pretty arching shrub blooms from summer to fall and boasts fragrant flowers that deer don't like (but butterflies and hummingbirds do).
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Barberry
Hardy and colorful, these shrubs have thorny stems that deter nibbling. New types are not invasive and come in colors ranging from burgundy to orange-red.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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