Explore Deer-Resistant Flowers, Plants, and Trees for your Manicured Gardens

Are you also frustrated by the deer’s pervasiveness and the damage they cause by browsing and rubbing their antlers on your garden plants and flowers? Deer-resistant flowers might be an excellent solution!

This group of mammals, generally found in woody and grassy areas, is attracted to your garden for various reasons, primarily in search of food. Gardens featuring young, tender shoots of plants and flowers draw these herbivores towards them. 

Besides, their prevalence also increases in search of shelter, water, and seasonal changes in the environment. The winter compels the deer to stroll through the garden for fruits and nuts-bearing plants.

But do not worry. Take a tour of this article to unveil pro tips on how to deter them away, planting deer-resistant flowers and plants, and finally, the best varieties of flora and fauna that do not attract any sort of herbivores.

Best Deer-Resistant Flowers to Grow

Many organizations, like the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station or Montana State University, state that ‘no plants are completely deer-proof’; despite that, there are many plants that flower that are distasteful to these selective feeders.

Here’s a list of flowers that have been observed by horticulturists, gardeners, landscapers, and other plant lovers to be less preferred by deer and other mammals. 

1. Lily of the Valley

Botanical Name	Convallaria majalis
Hardiness Zone	3-8 USDA
Size	6-12 inches tall and 9-12 inches wide.
Sun Exposure	These are shade plants, preferring partial to full shade.
Soil Type	Moist, well-draining mix.
Features	These are deer-resistant flowering perennials that feature bell-shaped flowers in white or pink shades. The presence of poisonous content and intense fragrance repels the predators.

2. Common Foxglove

Botanical Name	Digitalis Purpurea
Hardiness Zone	4-9 USDA
Size	3-5 feet tall and 1-5 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Prefers full sun in colder climates and partial shade in warm regions.
Soil Type	Organically rich, moist, and well-draining.
Features	Produces tall spikes of tabular bell-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white. Its highly toxic nature makes it a popular choice for predator-free gardens.

3. Monkshood

Botanical Name	Aconitum napellus
Hardiness Zone	3-8 USDA
Size	2-5 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Prefers partial shade, but can thrive in full sun in cold climates.
Soil Type	Rich, moisture-retentive, well-draining.
Features	Classified as deer-resistant perennial flowers, it features deep blue helmet-shaped blooms along tall spikes with verdant feathery leaves. These purple plants contain high-toxicity compounds that make them unpalatable to mammals.

4. Butterfly Milkweed

Botanical Name	Asclepias tuberosa
Hardiness Zone	3-9 USDA
Size	18-24 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide.
Sun Exposure	Prefers full sun (6 hours daily)
Soil Type	Well-draining sandy or rocky mix.
Features	Butterfly Milkweed is one of the native wildflowers that yield reddish-orange flowers with narrow, lance-shaped leaves arranged alternately along the stem. Although mildly toxic, these plants are deterrent to mammals due to their bitter-tasting leaves.

5. Winter Aconite

Botanical Name	Eranthis hyemalis
Hardiness Zone	4-9 USDA
Size	3-6 inches tall and 4-6 inches wide.
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type	Rich, well-draining mix with slightly alkaline to neutral pH.
Features	It is a deer-resistant perennial plant that features golden yellow flowers with rich green foliage.  All the parts of the plant are highly toxic, which makes it an ideal choice for repelling predators.

6. Poppies

Botanical Name	Papaver rhoeas
Hardiness Zone	3-9 USDA
Size	30-60 cm tall and 15-30 cm wide.
Sun Exposure	Thrives under full sun.
Soil Type	Rich, well-drained sandy and loamy soils.
Features	It is an annual wildflower featuring showy, bright, cup-shaped red flowers with dark centers.  Poppies are symbolic of the august birth flowers. Contains alkaloids that make it tasteless to deer and rabbits.

7. Rose of Sharon

Botanical Name	Hibiscus syriacus
Hardiness Zone	5-9 USDA
Size	8-12 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type	Moist, well-drained mix with rich organic matter.
Features	Rose of Sharon is a large, funnel-shaped flower in various colors like red, pink, white, blue, lavender, and purple. It is highly pollinator-friendly and attracts various bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.  The woody stems and tough foliage make it unreachable and unpalatable to predators.

8. Coreopsis

Botanical Name	Coreopsis verticillata
Hardiness Zone	4-9 USDA
Size	15-120 cm tall and 30-60cm wide.
Sun Exposure	Thrives under full sun.
Soil Type	Well-drained sandy or rocky soil.
Features	Bright, daisy-like yellow flowers bloom from early summer to fall.Coreopsis is a drought-tolerant and low-maintenance plant that supports natural pollination.  It features fine leaves with airy textures that bear a strong scent, which deters deer and feeders.

9. Peonies

Botanical Name	Paeonia lactiflora
Hardiness Zone	3-9 USDA
Size	2-7 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type	Rich, fertile, well-drained.
Features	The peony flower features large, ruffled white, red, coral, or pink blooms. These are associated with the November birth flower. Thick, bitter foliage makes them unattractive to predators.

10. Common Lilac

Botanical Name	Syringa vulgaris
Hardiness Zone	3-7 USDA
Size	8-15 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Thieves in full sun.
Soil Type	Neutral to slightly alkaline well-drained soil.
Features	It features cone-shaped clusters of highly fragrant purple flowers during the spring. Woody stems and highly scented flowers make it unpalatable to predators.  Other lilac varieties, like Ivory Silk Lilacs or Miss Kim Lilacs, are also ignored by mammals and feeders.

These animal-resistant flowers offer both beauty and resilience. Their ability to withstand browsing predators makes them an ideal choice for gardeners who desire captivating appeal without any worry.

Apart from being resistant to mammals, it offers visual benefits too. Pairing them with other indoor plants creates a lush appeal and transforms your home garden into an inviting retreat.

Pro Tips for Planting Deer or Rabbit-Resistant Plants

The feeding habits of these mammals are affected by nutritional needs, weather conditions, plant palatability, geographic areas, and previous patterns of movement. Generally, the plants are at stake if any of these conditions are stressing the herd, but you can definitely reduce the risk of damage using certain tips and tricks.

If you want your outdoor living areas and lawns to be free from the occurrence of these mammals and herbivores, adhere to these tips for planting deer-resistant bushes and plants.

•  Select Plants that Deter Deer: Many flora and fauna options do not attract these mammals due to various factors, like strong aroma, spiny or fuzzy textured foliage, tough leaves, and toxicity levels. 

  Also, plants with high water content, like succulents, cactus varieties, and terrarium plants, are less desirable to herbivores.

Quick Insight!

Refer to the Rutgers Deer Resistance Rating System to select plants that a deer typically tends to avoid. 

• Strategic Placement: You can prevent them from exploring your gardens further by placing the selected plants in proximity to the entrance gate, which can stop them then and there.

• Companion Planting: Adding several medicinal plants like thyme, garlic, mint, rosemary, or cinnamon trees not only provides you with enriching benefits, but also acts as a natural repellent for mammals and pests. 

• Keep Your Plants Rotating: These mammals become familiar with your garden plants and get accustomed to damaging the same ones again and again. Rotation of plants breaks the patterns and prevents them from being too familiar with your setting. 

Following these strategies and planting tips will help you craft a space that is less attractive to these herbivores and keep them away from your gardens.

List of Deer-Resistant Garden Plants

Mostly, gardeners and plant lovers plan their gardens in a way that yields them multifaceted benefits. From plants with health benefits, skin benefits,  year-round vibrant blooms, lush appearance, or privacy screens, the choices are unlimited. 

Besides, adding plants that are also predator-proof allows you to enjoy these benefits while ensuring your greenery remains safe. 

Here are some categories of plants that are not only mammal safe, but also elevate your home decor and appeal manyfold.

Deer-Resistant Annuals

Take a look at a few wildlife-proof annuals that add seasonal charm to your gardens without inviting unwanted visitors.

1. Begonia

Botanical Name	Begonia spp.
Hardiness Zone	9-11 USDA
Size	6-18 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide.
Sun Exposure	Partial shade to dappled light.
Soil Type	Well-draining mix with slightly acidic pH.
Features	Begonias are deer-resistant shade plants with long-lasting blooms in various colors with attractive foliage. It is distasteful to mammals due to its bitter leaves and stems, and a waxy texture.

2. Marigold 

Botanical Name	Tagetes spp.
Hardiness Zone	2-11 USDA
Size	6-36 inches tall and 6-18 inches wide.
Sun Exposure	Prospers under full sun.
Soil Type	Well-draining, fertile mix.
Features	Marigolds feature bright flowers in yellow, orange, and red colors. These deer-resistant annual plants are also popular for repelling pests like nematodes and mosquitoes. The strong fragrance and bitter foliage usually keep the mammals away from these plants.

3. Annual Vinca

Botanical Name	Catharanthus roseus
Hardiness Zone	9-11 USDA
Size	6-18 inches tall and 8-12 inches wide
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type	Well-draining and mildly fertile.
Features	Vinca flowers are easy to grow and summer-friendly blooms, and are found in many shades. Apart from being deer-resistant, it is also a rabbit-proof plant due to the presence of alkaloids in its leaves and stems.

4. Zinnia

Botanical Name	Zinnia spp.
Hardiness Zone	2-11 USDA
Size	10-40 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide
Sun Exposure	Flourishes under full sun
Soil Type	Moderately fertile, & well-draining.
Features	Zinnias resemble daisy-like blooms with a wide range of colors that are durable and pollinator-friendly plants. The rough, hairy texture of the leaves and stems makes it unattractive to predators.

5. Cornflower

Botanical Name	Centaurea cyanus
Hardiness Zone	2-11 USDA
Size	12-36 inches tall and 8-12 inches wide
Sun Exposure	Bloom best under full sun.
Soil Type	Well-draining and mildly fertile.
Features	Cornflowers are originally found with blue colored blooms, but are also available in pink, purple, and white flowers. Its slightly bitter taste and rough foliage make it unpalatable to herbivores and mammals.

You can choose these vibrant annuals to brighten up your garden while staying out of a predator’s sight.

Deer Resistant Perennials

Take a look at a few deer-resistant perennial plants that are ideal for gardeners looking for low-maintenance and long-lasting appeal.

1. Salvia

Botanical Name	Salvia nemorosa
Hardiness Zone	4-9 USDA
Size	18-36 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide.
Sun Exposure	Thrives under full sun.
Soil Type	Well-draining and fertile.
Features	It features tabular spikes of purple, white, blue, or pink blooms from spring through fall. Salvia are plants with essential oil content and strong, fragrant leaves that make them aversive to mammals and predators.

2. Bearded Iris

Botanical Name	Iris germanica
Hardiness Zone	3-9 USDA
Size	1-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Performs best under full sun.
Soil Type	Well-draining with slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Features	It yields stunning balloons in multiple hues and sword-shaped leaves that add unique charm to your gardens. Thick, tough leaves and bitter-tasting rhizomes discourage the feeders from browsing.

3. Larkspur

Botanical Name	Delphinium consolida
Hardiness Zone	2-10 USDA
Size	1-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type	Well-draining and moist.
Features	Commonly known as Delphinium, it features tall, elegant flower spikes in various colors. Larkspur is associated with one of the July birth flowers. Known to contain toxic compounds like alkaloids, which make it unpalatable to deer.

4. Coneflower

Botanical Name	Echinacea purpurea
Hardiness Zone	3-9 USDA
Size	2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Thrives best under full sun
Soil Type	Rich, well-draining mix that is high in organic matter.
Features	Coneflowers are characterized by daisy-like blooms with uplifted centers in tones of pink, purple, white, or orange. It is ignored by predators due to its hairy leaves and rough, stiff stems.

5. Fringed Bleeding Hearts

Botanical Name	Dicentra eximia
Hardiness Zone	3-9 USDA
Size	12-18 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide
Sun Exposure	Partial shade to full shade.
Soil Type	Moist, well-draining, and humus-rich.
Features	It features unique heart-shaped pink flowers with fern-like foliage. Bleeding hearts are usually high in alkaloid content and toxic in nature, which makes them aversive to feeders.

By choosing deer-resistant perennials that bloom all summer, you can transform your boring gardens into vibrant tropical retreats.

Deer-Resistance Groundcovers

Groundcover plants are popular for their carpet-like spread in the landscape and for suppressing weeds, conserving soil moisture, and adding a distinct appeal to your garden. Take a look at a few groundcovers that are free from mammal browsing.

1. Astilbe

Botanical Name	Astilbe spp.
Hardiness Zone	3-9 USDA
Size	1-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Partial shade to full shade.
Soil Type	Moisture-rich, well-draining soil.
Features	Feather-like flowers on tall stalks with attractive fern-like foliage. Bitter-tasting leaves and rough texture make them unpalatable to predators.

2. Bee Balm

Botanical Name	Monarda didyma
Hardiness Zone	4-9 USDA
Size	2-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type	Moisture-rich, well-draining soil.
Features	Showy frilled flowers in various shades and fragrant green foliage. All the varieties of Beebalm, like Spotted Beebalm, Lemon Beebalm, or Scarlet Beebalm, are avoided by predators due to their strong scent and essential oil content in their leaves.

3. Lamb’s Ear

Botanical Name	Stachys byzantina
Hardiness Zone	4-9 USDA
Size	6-12 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide.
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type	Well-draining sandy or loamy soil.
Features	Lamb’s Ear plants are popular for their soft, velvet-like, silver-gray leaves that resemble the ear of a lamb. The fuzzy, velvety texture of this plant makes it disliked by herbivores.

4. Creeping Juniper

Botanical Name	Juniperus horizontalis
Hardiness Zone	3-9 USDA
Size	6-18 inches tall and 4-8 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	It needs full sun to thrive.
Soil Type	Well-draining sandy or loamy soil.
Features	It features deer-resistant evergreen foliage in silvery-blue to lush green hues. Ideal for controlling soil erosion and covering bare landscape. Sharp, aromatic, needle-like leaves discourage predators from grazing. All the varieties of Juniperus, like Taylor Junipers or Blue Point Juniper (categorized as trees), are wildlife animal-proof.

5. Pink Muhly Grass

Botanical Name	Muhlenbergia capillaris
Hardiness Zone	6-9 USDA
Size	2-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Performs best under full sun.
Soil Type	Well-draining sandy or loamy soil.
Features	Pink Muhly Grass is popular for its aerated pink flower plumes that create a cloud-like effect. Tough, wiry foliage and fibrous texture make it unpopular amongst the predators.

Selecting these wildlife-proof groundcovers ensures these plants keep flourishing without being damaged, making your garden appealing and functional.

Deer-Resistant Shrubs

Shrubs bring texture, color, and a year-round display of greens and blooms to the landscapes. Here are a few mammal-proof shrubs that can elevate your garden appeal without the constant worry of damage.

1. Butterfly Bush

Botanical Name	Buddleja davidii
Hardiness Zone	5-9 USDA
Size	6-12 feet tall and 4-15 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Flourishes in full sun.
Soil Type	Well-draining soil.
Features	Butterfly bush features showy, cone-shaped flower clusters in various hues. Ideal for hedging, privacy screens, beds, and borders. The aromatic leaves and woody stems make it unpopular amongst selective feeders.

2. Camellia

Botanical Name	Camellia japonica
Hardiness Zone	7-9 USDA
Size	6-12 feet tall and 5-10 feet wide
Sun Exposure	Partial shade
Soil Type	Moist, organic-rich, well-draining soil with slightly acidic pH.
Features	Camellia is popular for its shiny foliage and evergreen rose-like blooms in various tones. Most of the Camellia species, including Camellia sasanqua, japonica, and the famous Middlemist Red Camellia, are deer-resistant flowering shrubs. These are considered inedible by predators due to their tough, leathery leaves and woody stems.

3. Viburnum

Botanical Name	Viburnum spp.
Hardiness Zone	3-9 USDA
Size	3-12 feet tall and 3-10 feet wide
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type	Well-draining soil.
Features	These shrubs are known for their large white or pink flowers, often followed by colourful berries. All the viburnum species, like Arrowwood Viburnum, Sweet Viburnum, and more, are predator-proof due to their tough foliage and woody stems.

4. Wintergreen Boxwood

Botanical Name	Buxus sempervirens
Hardiness Zone	5-9
Size	2-20 feet tall and 2-8 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type	Well-draining, moisture-rich loamy soil.
Features	These Wintergreen Boxwoods are ideal for compact gardens due to their rounded growth habits. Dense, leathery, and aromatic leaves make it unpopular amongst mammals.

5. Forsythia

Botanical Name	Forsythia spp.
Hardiness Zone	5-8 USDA
Size	6-10 feet tall and wide.
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type	Well-draining average soil.
Features	Forsythia is famous for bright yellow blooms that occur even before the leaves. It is unpalatable to mammals due to its woody stem and bitter-tasting bark.

These shrubs not only secure your garden landscapes, but also add privacy screens, seasonal blooms, textured leaves, and increase the overall curb appeal.

Deer-Resistant Trees

Trees bring height, stature, and long-term appeal to any landscape. Here are a few trees that you can grow without being worried about browsing by predators.

1. Sweet Bay Magnolias

Botanical Name	Magnolia virginiana
Hardiness Zone	5-9
Size	10-35 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type	Moist, acidic, well-draining soil.
Features	It features white, lemon-like aromatic magnolia flowers and glossy green leaves with silver undersides. Sweet Bay Magnolia trees are a deterrent to predators due to their thick aromatic leaves.

2. Ginkgo

Botanical Name	Ginkgo biloba
Hardiness Zone	4-9 USDA
Size	40-80 feet tall and 30-40 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Full sun
Soil Type	Moist, well-draining soil
Features	Ginkgo trees are famous for fan-shaped leaves that change to a golden yellow hue during the fall. The presence of natural compounds and the tough, leathery texture of the leaves make it inedible for herbivores.

3. Colorado Blue Spruce

Botanical Name	Picea pungens
Hardiness Zone	2-7 USDA
Size	30-60 feet tall and 10-20 feet wide
Sun Exposure	Full sun
Soil Type	Well-draining soil with slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Features	Colorado Blue Spruce is popular for its silver-blue needle-like leaves, which provide a year-round display. Stiff needles and fragrant resins make it free from predator browsing.

4. Arborvitae

Botanical Name	Thuja spp.
Hardiness Zone	3-8 USDA
Size	25-30 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide.
Sun Exposure	Full sun to dappled shade.
Soil Type	Moist, well-draining soil.
Features	Popular for its evergreen foliage and natural dense growth. All the varieties of Arborvitae, like American Pillar, Spring Grove, Nigra, and more, are unattractive to feeders due to their dense growth and less palatable leaves.

5. Cryptomeria Radicans

Botanical Name	Cryptomeria japonica ‘ Radicans’
Hardiness Zone	5-9 USDA
Size	30-40 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type	Moist, well-draining soil with slightly acidic pH.
Features	Popular for its pyramidal form and feathery green leaves that change colors during the fall. Cryptomeria Radicans, along with its dwarf form, Cryptomeria globosa Nana, is deer-proof due to its tough, aromatic leaves and dense texture.

By selecting these cultivars, you can craft your outdoor lawns and gardens into an inviting land with no tension of browsing wildlife.

Besides, you can uplift your indoor areas and outdoor balconies with planting vines like Clematis Vine, Passion Flowers, Star Jasmine, or Wisteria that add vertical interest, as well as being naturally unappealing to deer and rabbits.

Expert Tips to Deter Deer from Your Plants

If you are tired of deer and other herbivores browsing through the garden and causing damage, there are several ways to repel them. Their prevalence depends on many factors, like seasonality and the availability of food in their habitat.

They generally feed on leaves, twigs, grasses, fruits, and nuts, especially during the spring when the blooms are at their peak, the young shoots, buds, and leaves attract them. 

Here are a few man-made methods, along with pesticides and other repellents, you can use to deter them.

Fencing

An ideal fence should be about 8 feet tall, made of materials like woven wire or deer netting, which prevents them from jumping up. Ensure to install the fence properly with no gaps or holes.

Adding various visual cues, like flags or streamers, acts as a threat and prevents them from even approaching.  

Deer Repellents and Fertilizers

Pesticides and repellents are beyond getting rid of fungus and gnats. Many of them are used to deter these selective feeders from your gardens. 

Ranging from scent-based repellents, taste-based repellents, and electronic repellents to visual repellents, many options are available to stop them from entering your garden.

Startle Them

A few harmless ways to prevent them from browsing into your gardens are using motion-activated sprinklers, noise makers like wind chimes or bells, motion-activated bright lights, and scarecrows or decoys of predators. They are usually frightened by such noises and lights.

Use Companion Plantings

Many greens are unpalatable to these predators. Be it plants with poisonous compounds, spiny or bristly leaves, fuzzy textures, or strong aromas – planting such varieties near entrances and garden gates can keep these predators away.

Plant Higher

You can try planting the greens at a height unreachable to them. Besides, planting flowers and vegetables in containers on a porch, deck, or creating terrace or balcony gardens can keep these selective feeders away. 

Keep Your Garden Clean

Remove all the dirt, debris, fallen fruits, spent blooms, and buds from your garden as these herbivores are attracted to the visible leftovers on the surface. 

Also, trimming off the bushes and hedges reduces their chance to hide behind. 

Using these methods, you can try to prevent the prevalence of not only deer, but also the small mammals and predators that feed on the greens. 

Summary

Summing up, establishing greens that reflect beauty with benefits and harmony with nature at the same time is the key to a flourishing garden. 

It becomes easier with deer-resistant flowers and plants, as they not only safeguard your landscape from unwanted browsing but also add texture, blooms, fragrance, and beauty. 

Take a tour of this guide to explore plants that deter predators and allow you to enjoy without the constant worry of damage.