While no plant is entirely deer resistant, Bambi tends to shy away from plants with unpalatable characteristics such as thorny stems, strong scent, bitter flavor, or unappealing texture. Let’s have a look at the Best Deer Resistant Plants!
Are dahlias deer resistant? Find out here
Best Deer Resistant Plants
1. French Marigold
Botanical Name: Tagetes
USDA Zones: 2-11
The French Marigolds bloom in a bright range of colors over a longer time and are loved by most gardeners. Their strong fragrance keeps the deer from feeding on it.
2. Sunflowers
Botanical Name: Helianthus
USDA Zones: 4-9
4. Aster
Deer do not like to munch on these big, bright, sunny flowers because of the rough texture of their leaves. So, you can plant as many as you want in your garden without worrying!
3. Butterfly Bush
Botanical Name: Buddleja
USDA Zones: 5-9
The Butterfly Bush is native to China and Japan and is excellent for planting along the parameter of your garden to keep deer away. It also attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Botanical Name: Aster
USDA Zones: 3-8
Botanical Name: Galium odoratum
The typical purple or pink Aster flower is both deer and disease-resistant. Deer do not like to munch on this perennial because of its texture.
5. Heliotrope
Botanical Name: Heliotropium
USDA Zones: 10-11
Heliotrope is another plant that deer detest because of its strong scent and sandpaper-like foliage texture. So, you could be very sure that these beautiful purple flowers would not be eaten away.
6. Foxgloves
Botanical Name: Digitalis
Deer tend to avoid any toxic plants, including foxglove. You can grow this plant in rows around the garden border to deter deer besides beautifying the place.
7. Pot Marigold
Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis
USDA Zone: 9-11
The happy, bright, yellow flowers are great for keeping deer away because of the strong fragrance. They also work well to stop bunnies from munching in your garden.
8. Lily of the Valley
Botanical Name: Convallaria majalis
USDA Zone: 3-8
17. Mint
Botanical Name: Mentha
The bell-shaped white pretty flowers historically symbolize feminity. But it is their poisonous nature that deters deer from feeding on them.
9. Lamb’s Ear
Botanical Name: Stachys byzantina
USDA Zone: 4-7
Deer do not find this plant appetizing because of its velvety-soft texture. You can choose this popular plant for ground cover too!
10. African Lily
Botanical Name: Agapanthus africanus
USDA Zone: 8-10
African Lily bears big drumstick flower heads from midsummer. You can grow this plant in a container or outdoors to repel deer from the yard.
11. Daffodil
Botanical Name: Narcissus
If you want to keep deer at bay and lighten up your garden, you should grow Daffodils. They won’t come near them because of their toxicity.
12. Zinnias
Botanical Name: Zinnia
USDA Zone: 3-10
Most gardeners love the bright colors of Zinnias and often choose to grow them in a range of shades. Deer do not like the rough texture of the leaves and would mostly stay away from the plant.
13. Peonies
Botanical Name: Paeonia
Another beautiful bright flowering plant that will not only liven up your garden but keep the four-legged creatures away. Deer do not like the flavor of the flowers. Their powerful fragrance also acts as a deterrent to them.
14. Bearded Iris
Botanical Name: Iris germanica
The fragrance of popular Bearded Iris is something most gardeners love. Deer, on the other hand, do not like the strong scent at all and stay away.
15. Bleeding Hearts
Botanical Name: Lamprocapnos
USDA Zone: 3-9
Even though these plants are known for their beauty, they’re also poisonous. Smart deer know to steer clear from them unless they want to suffer from some severe repercussions.
16. Purple Coneflowers
Botanical Name: Echinacea
The purple coneflowers are known to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds but deer. Purple coneflowers are toxic to them.
The smell of mint leaves is too much for deer and they cannot stand the highly aromatic foliage of this herb.
18. Heather
Botanical Name: Calluna
USDA Zone: 4-6
They look breathtaking when planted in giant swathes. But deer do not find them appealing enough to munch on these beauties because of the texture.
19. Lungwort
Botanical Name: Pulmonaria officinalis
Lungwort ‘Ocupol’ is a semi-evergreen perennial with clear pale blue flowers. This is a plant that these animals completely detest.
20. Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia
USDA Zone: 5-10
Apparently, the aroma of the plant seems to be stinking for the deer, and they avoid it for their meal.
21. Lavender
Botanical Name: Lavandula
USDA Zone: 5-9
Lavender is one of the classic perennial herbs that’s grown for its strong scent and beauty. However, deer do not appreciate its fragrance and stay away.
22. Oriental Poppies
Botanical Name: Papaver orientale
These gorgeous beauties are undoubtedly one of the most stunning and elegant flowering plants but they are also toxic. This is the reason why deer do not wish to come near them.
23. Crape Myrtle
Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia
USDA Zone: 7-10
Crape myrtles come in a variety of hybrids with bright, lacy flowers. Deer will seldom eat any variety as they find the texture of the foliage pretty unpalatable for their taste.
24. Houseleeks
Botanical Name: Sempervivum tectorum
Houseleeks form attractive rosettes that tolerate both shade and sun. This succulent is unappealing to team deer because they are poisonous for them.
25. Fountain Grass
Botanical Name: Pennisetum setaceum
USDA Zone: 9-10
For landscapes that are most frequented by deer, there are numerous options of ornamental grasses that these animals would rather not eat. This perennial grass will add charm to your garden and keep the Bambi away.
26. Rosemary
Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus
USDA Zone: 6-10
Rosemary is not only used for culinary seasoning but also looks beautiful in the garden. Deer do not like its strong, piney scent and usually keep a distance.
27. Lenten Rose
Botanical Name: Helleborus orientalis
USDA Zone: 4-9
Lenten rose is an early bloomer in the season and is loved by many gardeners. They are poisonous and deer-resistant.
28. Bee Balm
Botanical Name: Monarda
This beautiful flowering plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds but not deer. These animals find the minty orange fragrance very ‘stinky’ for their taste.
29. Sweet Woodruff
USDA Zone: 4-8
30. Verbena
Botanical Name: Verbena
USDA Zone: 9-11
- Suresh kumar Saini
- June 25, 2021 At 6:12 pm
- I love Balcony garden web.
- Reply
I love Balcony garden web.
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