What Flowers and Other Plants Deer Don't Eat
Deer can be quite selective when it comes to their choice of plants, and there are several flowers and other plants that they generally avoid.
While no plant is entirely "deer-proof," these plants are less likely to be consumed by deer due to their strong odors, bitter taste, or prickly textures.
Published: July 14, 2023.
List Of Plants That Deer Don't Eat
By combining plants that deer don't eat with other plants, a gardener can repel, at least up to a point, the deer from the garden and protect the garden.
Here is a list of some flowers and other plants that deer tend to avoid:
Perennials:Lavender (Lavandula spp.) Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) Yarrow (Achillea spp.) Catmint (Nepeta spp.) Salvia (Salvia spp.) Peony (Paeonia spp.) Iris (Iris spp.) Bleeding heart (Dicentra spp.) |
Annuals:Marigold (Tagetes spp.) Zinnia (Zinnia spp.) Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) Cosmos (Cosmos spp.) Verbena (Verbena spp.) Lantana (Lantana camara) |
Shrubs:Boxwood (Buxus spp.) Barberry (Berberis spp.) Butterfly bush (Buddleia spp.) Lilac (Syringa spp.) Juniper (Juniperus spp.) |
Trees:Spruce (Picea spp.) Pine (Pinus spp.) Fir (Abies spp.) Dogwood (Cornus spp.) |
Groundcovers:Vinca (Vinca minor) Pachysandra (Pachysandra spp.) Lamium (Lamium spp.) Ajuga (Ajuga spp.) |
Ornamental grasses:Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) Fountain grass (Pennisetum spp.) |
While these plants are generally less appealing to deer, it is important to remember that deer preferences can vary depending on the local population, food availability, and the time of year.
In periods of food scarcity, deer may be more likely to consume plants they would typically avoid.
To maximize your garden's resistance to deer, consider incorporating a mix of these deer-resistant plants along with other preventative measures, such as fencing or repellents.
Note: If the deer is hungry, it will eat anything ...