Deer Resistant Trees, Shrubs, Roses,Palms, Ornamental Grass,Perennials, Annuals, Ferns, and Bulbs

The best approach to deer management is a combination of strategies which starts with a list of deer resistant plants. Landscaping, and especially deeroscaping,is based on a knowledge of deer feeding habits can reduce or eliminate costly browsing damage. A list of deer resistant plants is invalualbe. Also,use of deer repellents or fencing can also be greatly reduced by choosing aesthetically pleasing deer-resistant alternative plants. If you must plant susceptible plants, only plant them close to the house, or in an already fenced area such as a backyard.

LIST OF DEER RESISTANT LANDSCAPE PLANTS

DEER FEEDING PREFERENCES

There are four basic catagories of plant damage. Rarely Damaged, Seldom Damaged, Occasionally Damaged, and Frequently Damaged.

Rarely Damaged: Plants that deer will rarely eat unless there are no other options. These are the best candidates for damage-prone landscapes.
Deer Resistant Trees Rarely Damaged Shrubs Rarely Damaged Roses Rarely Damaged Palms Rarely Damaged Ornamental Grasses Rarely Damaged Perennials Rarely Damaged Ferns Rarely Damaged Annuals Rarely Damaged Bulbs

Also check out our special deer proof gardening page with
Deer Resistant Vegetables,Herbs, and Fruit

Seldom Damaged: Deer sometimes feed on ornamentals listed as Seldom Damaged, but the browsing is usually minor and usually doesn't detract from the looks of the plants.

Occasionally Damaged: These are the plants that deer will turn to once their favorites are depleted.

Frequently Damaged: Plants that are deer favorites. These are the first plants deer will seek out to eat. These plants often require physical or chemical protection.

Plants can be listed as deer resistant for several reasons. The variables include seasonal factors, geographic area, availability of alternative food, taste of the plants, and the deer's nutritional needs at the time. One plant species may be rarely damaged in one region of the country, but highly preferred in another region. Holly, white pine, and deciduous magnolias are a few plants that have very different deer preferences from region to region. Many deer-resistant plants are poisonous at some time of their growth cycle. Many are aromatic, have thorns, or have coarse foliage.

If an adequate supply of natural native plants are available to eat, deer are less likely to browse ornamental plantings. When the natural food supply is low, few ornamental plants will be resistant. Generally, deer browsing is worst in the winter when green grass and green plants aren't found. Also deer browse heavily in the spring on new succulent growth.

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Have you found other plants that deer rarely damage or seldom eat? We would love to add your plants to our lists. Tell us about your landscape or garden and the plants that the deer avoid or love to eat. Please share with us!

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Horticulturist/Landscape designer 
Viburnum carlesii is happily never bothered by deer here in central NJ. On the other had, Ilex crenata and all Rhodies (which you list as deer resistant)...

please remove all non-native invasive plants 
I am currently a volunteer for a department of recreation and parks in MD. I am trying to remove some of the plants you are suggesting people plant from ...

Retired teacher with vacation home in The Woods near Martinsburg, WV  Not rated yet
Dwarf Alberta Spruce - have not been eaten by deer for 3 years

Pacasandra - survived about 5 years with no eating by deer, but this past year, deer ...

Deer resistant - not  Not rated yet
I live in CT and the Rhododendron must be sprayed. They are guaranteed to be eaten otherwise...

deer resistant annuals  Not rated yet
I need deer resistant annuals for shade. The area gets very little sunlight. It would be helpful if the chart on your home page designated sun, part sun,...

Deer Resistant Blooming Fern  Not rated yet
At a recent flower show in our area which is southwest Ohio I purchased some roots which were light tan and averaged about 4 inches long and about an inch ...

Deer Resistant Blooming Fern  Not rated yet
At a recent flower show in our area which is southwest Ohio I purchased some roots which were light tan and averaged about 4 inches long and about an inch ...

Try a Native-Northern Sea Oats  Not rated yet
Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) is an ornamental grass that grows 24"-36" high in loose clumps of green foliage. Its name derives from its ...