THE BEST DEER-RESISTANT PLANTS AND FLOWERS FOR YOUR GARDEN
If you have a garden full of plants and flowers that deer love to eat, replace them with these attractive, easy-care alternatives
By Anne Balogh; updated 11/18/20
Deer love to graze on many types of groundcovers, especially when new, tender growth emerges in the spring.
The ornamental plants and shrubs in your garden should be a feast for the eyes, not a banquet for the local deer population. Although it’s impossible to make a backyard completely deer-proof, you can fill it with plants deer hate and minimize deer damage. For a natural look, this deer-resistant wildflower mix is great, otherwise check out the suggestions below.
“You can still have a lush, thriving garden by making smart choices. Many stunning plants are unpalatable to deer because of their poisonous compounds, fuzzy or aromatic leaves, and tough, spiny, or bristly textures,” says Ruth Rogers Clausen, author of 50 Beautiful Deer-Resistant Plants. We’ve included some of Clausen’s smart choices, along with a few top picks of our own, in this list of deer-resistant plants.
Deer-Resistant Flowers | Deer-Resistant Shrubs | Deer-Resistant Perennials | Deer-Resistant Groundcovers | Deer-Proofing Tips | Online Learning