Another deer—this one a Columbian black-tailed deer—enjoying rose petals at just the right height with the least effort. Photo: courtesy of May Kald
John Van Etten, former grounds superintendent at the Mohonk Mountain House in upstate New York, recommends 15 plants that deer won’t eat; your experience, of course, may differ. For a list of deer-resistant plants in your area, contact your local extension agent. To learn more about the plants shown below, click on the images to see their Plant Guide profiles.
Perennials and annuals
2. Basket of gold (Aurinia saxatilis, Zones 4–8). (Plant Guide profile is unavailable.) Photo: gardentrek
2. Basket of gold (Aurinia saxatilis, Zones 4–8). (Plant Guide profile is unavailable.) Photo: gardentrek
14. Shadbushes (Amelanchier spp. and cvs., Zones 4–9). Photo: Jennifer Benner
15. Spireas (Spiraea spp. and cvs., Zones 4–9). Photo: courtesy of Bailey Nurseries
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
The New Organic Grower, 3rd Edition: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, 30th Anniversary Edition
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Since its original publication in 1989, The New Organic Grower has been one of the most important farming books available, with pioneer Eliot Coleman leading the charge in the organic movement in the United States. Now fully illustrated and updated, this 30th Anniversary Edition is a must-have for any agricultural library.
A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.
Tried and true favorites: Daffodils/narcissus, digitalis, mints, most herbs, chives (pick and scatter on young plants), Holly, prickly pear cactus (weather resistant to Zone 5) and Surprise Lillies.
Invasive. It's not a big deal for urban gardens but it is a mess when the birds poop the berries in our forests and it takes over the understory. Some states no longer allow it to be sold because of the problems.
Lots of Barberry is invasive too. Here in Mn the DNR has a list based on hiw much seed is produced and some of them will not be allowed for sale in Nurseries. Also on the "watch" list is Amur Maple. I have seen it spreading in the woods like Buckthorn. My friend has a hedge if it...now she pulls it every spring along with Buckthorn. I have been pulling Vinca for years. Every little scrape is capable of covering my woodsy backyard full if native plants.
Are you referring to periwinkle? It's also called VINCA. It is deer-proof according to another post here and it looks marvelous cascading down rock walls from a raised planter.
I intermix a lot of silk flowers these days :/ they look real ...especially mixed with real ones........they dont cost as much , they dont die and I can use them a few years before they fade
there was nothing wrong with the list in the article. The plants are ideas to get you started. There are lots of comprehensive lists on the internet...and deer will act differently depending on where you live. Thanks for sharing your list, too.
Comments
Peonies! Deer roam our peony farm every night and have never caused any damage to the peony plants or flowers. Peonies are deer resistant plants!
I read the headline as dog - resistant plants.
Tried and true favorites: Daffodils/narcissus, digitalis, mints, most herbs, chives (pick and scatter on young plants), Holly, prickly pear cactus (weather resistant to Zone 5) and Surprise Lillies.
Vinca
Invasive. It's not a big deal for urban gardens but it is a mess when the birds poop the berries in our forests and it takes over the understory. Some states no longer allow it to be sold because of the problems.
Depends if it's Vinca minor or major. Minor isn't that invasive. Major is very invasive.
Lots of Barberry is invasive too. Here in Mn the DNR has a list based on hiw much seed is produced and some of them will not be allowed for sale in Nurseries. Also on the "watch" list is Amur Maple. I have seen it spreading in the woods like Buckthorn. My friend has a hedge if it...now she pulls it every spring along with Buckthorn. I have been pulling Vinca for years. Every little scrape is capable of covering my woodsy backyard full if native plants.
LOVE vinca. It's beautiful cascading down rock walls from a higher planter. Thanks for letting me know it's deer-proof!
I love the vinca plants not the vine, what a job to get rid of that. But they have annual plants and the deer don't like them. Red White, mixed, Pink
I'm wanting to plant per Winkler owner of they eat it?
Are you referring to periwinkle? It's also called VINCA. It is deer-proof according to another post here and it looks marvelous cascading down rock walls from a raised planter.
If you plant the vine plan on never ever wanting something else where you plant it. Very invasive. Would love to give you my whole patch.
I have lots of stuff deer in my yard. They leave the barberry (burning bush) alone.
Shasta daisy and allium. Burning bush and spirea nipponica snowmound are not deer proof in my area (Utah)
They eat my burning bush!
My deer don't touch the boxwood, and they generally leave the cherry laurels alone. Both are evergreen.
I intermix a lot of silk flowers these days :/ they look real ...especially mixed with real ones........they dont cost as much , they dont die and I can use them a few years before they fade
not much good for our insect life though, including bees and butterflies.
Here is a better list:
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/deerresistance/
there was nothing wrong with the list in the article. The plants are ideas to get you started. There are lots of comprehensive lists on the internet...and deer will act differently depending on where you live. Thanks for sharing your list, too.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in