Deer Resistant Plants - Rarely Damaged

Deer Resistant Plants

If you are on this page, there is a good chance those cute deer are eating your plants. I know, it's disheartening, isn't it?

Generally, there are four categories of plants noted for deer damage.

• Rarely Damaged
• Seldom Severely Damaged
• Occasionally Severely Damaged
• Frequently Severely Damaged

Note: There are no plants that are completely deer proof.

If your property is challenged by deer and you are doing new landscaping, it would be wise to choose deer resistant plants from the Rarely Damaged category. If you are brave, you might select a few which are Seldom Severely Damaged.

If your are in the midst of a crisis, you can use some of the deer sprays that are available. The sprays need repeated applications, as they can wash away. In addition, new growth that appears after you have sprayed is not protected, so the plant must be sprayed again. You can also put up deer fencing, which must be a minimum of 7' high.

Here is a list of deer resistant plants which are Rarely Damaged that I would recommend. They have nice features and look nice in the landscape. These are my favorites.

Shrubs

• Arrowwood Viburnum These plants will take shade. They have white flowers and beautiful fall color. They are one of the taller shrubs and are nice used in groups.
• Barberry "Crimson Pygmy' has red leaves and offers nice color in the garden.
• Blue Mist Spirea Deciduous, with a covering of blue flowers in the summer.
• Boxwood Evergreen shrub which is formal. Comes in various heights, from small to large.
• Drooping Leucothoe Evergreen plant fro the shade. White flowers.
• Fragrant Sumac Great fall color.
• Japanese Andromeda Evergreen shrub with early clusters of white flowers.
• Japanese Plum Yew Resembles the English Speading Yew. Stays rather small. Good for a foundation planting if you need plants that are not too tall.
• Oregon Grape Holly Good for the shade. Striking blue berries.
• Potentilla Long season of flowers.

Perennials

• Bleeding Heart 'Exemia' and 'Dicentra' will flower a good part of the season. Low growing and likes shade.
• Butterfly Bush Both tall and low varieties available. Flowers most of the summer. Blue, purple, pink and white colors available. Butterflies!
• Catmint Low growing with purple flowers. Long flowering season. Very nice.
• Foxglove Old fashioned perennial. Likes shade. Many are biennial, so look for the perennial variety.
• Corydalis Prolific shade loving plant with continuous yellow flowers. Low growing. Use in a mass in woodsy areas.
• Daffodil Bulb which blooms in the Spring. Early, middle and late Spring varieties. Can multiply.
• Fountain Grass Ornamental low growing grass. Very nice and full.
• Hakonechloa Shade loving ornamental grass.
• Japanese Blood Grass Small grass with red leaves.
• Japanese Painted Fern Very nice low growing fern.
• Lamb's Ear Silver, fuzzy textured leaves. Spiked flowers loved by bees.
• Lavender Fragrant perennial with soft, purple flowers.
• Lily of the Valley Shade loving with white bell shaped flowers. Low growing, early bloomer.
• Peony Old fashioned shrub like perennial. Showy flowers.
• Russian Sage Purple flowers. Showy when planted in a mass.
• Silver Mound Interesting foliage and color. Mound like shape.
• Sweet Woodruff Shade loving. Very low and delicate. White flowers.
• Threadleaf Coreopsis Repeat bloomer.
• Thyme Herb. Many varieties. Use 'Creeping Thyme' for between stepping stones. Drought resistant

 

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