Selecting Deer Resistant Plants

We have dozens of people come in asking the same question, 'What can I plant that the deers won't destroy?' The answer isn't easy and in truth there are more things a deer will eat then won't. We have found a list compiled in the US by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden which is very good. There may be a few things that aren't quite so hardy in our area is in Ohio but it is very close. The deer in the US have very similar appetites to Canadian deer as well.

They asked over 400 plant experts from the industry and education field, as well as gardeners, what plants deer left at peace. From that this list of top picks was made. The picks are plants that are resistant or minimally damaged by deer.

*Note: Using plants in this list does not guarantee against deer damage. Deer populations and deer taste preferences are variable, and if you have large herds, you will more than likely experience deer damage.

Plants listed in bold are the plants most frequently agreed deer resistant.

Annuals

Ageratum, Allyssum,Cleome, Dusty Miller,Lantana, Nicotiana,Plectranthus argenteus,Salvia,Snapdragon,Vinca (annual vine),Zinnia angustifolia

Bulbs

Allium,Chionodoxa,Colchicum,Daffodil, Galanthus (Snowdrops),Grape Hyacinth,Hyacinthoides (Squill),Leucojum,Pushkinia

Groundcovers

Ajuga, Convallaria (Lily of the Valley),Galium (Sweet Woodruff),Lamiastrum,Lamium,Vinca minor,Pachysandra

Ferns

Japanese Painted Fern,Wood Fern,Ostrich Fern,Sensitive Fern,Cinnamon Fern,Royal Fern,Christmas Fern

Ornamental Grasses

Miscanthus, Pennisetum, Arundo, Sporobolis,Panicum, Calamagrostis,Carex,Saccharum (Erianthus)

Vines

Bignonia (Crossvine),Campsis,Clematis paniculata,Lonicera sempervirens, Wisteria

Shrubs

Abelia,Aesculus parviflora,Berberis (Barberry),Buddleia, Callicarpa,Calycanthus,Caryopteris, Cotinus,Forsythia,Hypericum,Lespedeza 'Gibraltar',Lindera,Myrica, Rhus aromatica 'Gro- Low',Spiraea, Symphoricarpus,Vitex, Yucca

Evergreen Shrubs

Boxwood, Ilex glabra-InkberyHolly,Mugo Pine,Cephalotaxus,Juniper (low-growing - groundcover types)

Evergreen Trees

Magnolia grandiflora'Bracken's Brown Beauty',Picea abies,Picea pungens,Psuedotsuga menziesii

Sun Perennials

Achillea, Aesclepia tuberosa,Alchemilla,Amsonia hubrichtii,Aquilegia canadensis,Artemesia, Aster lateriflorus 'Lady in Black',Aster oblongifolius 'Raydon's Favorite',Asteromoea mongolica,Baptisia australis,Calamintha,Chrysanthemum 'Becky' (eat blooms),Coreopsis lanceolata,Crocosmia,Dianthus ('Baths Pink', 'Firewitch', 'Mountain Mist'),Euphorbia myrsinites,Euphorbia robbiae,Geranium 'Biokova',Geranium sanguineum,Iris,Lavendula, Liatris,Monarda,Oenothera,Paeonia,Perovskia, Rudbeckia (eat blooms),Salvia, Solidago,Stachys 'Helene Von Stein',Thymus serphyllum, Veronica

Shade Perennials

Aquilegia, Brunnera, Chelone,Dicentra,Epimedium, Galium odoratum, Helleborus, Huechera villosa,Lamium

Plants to Avoid (Dear Love Them)

Roses, Hostas, Impatiens, Taxus, Blue Holly, China Holly, Euonymus, Rhododendron, Tulips, Arborvitae, Daylily, Sedum, Phlox paniculata, Oakleaf hydrangea, White Pine, Scabiosa

List credit to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.http://cincinnatizoo.org/