It is so frustrating, not to mention expensive, to come out to see your beautiful landscape, only to find
that the deer have enjoyed it for dinner! By selecting less attractive (to deer) plants or applying products
that make your plants less desirable, you can mitigate this frustration.

Make no mistake about it—if deer are hungry enough, they will try to eat or will eat almost all greenery. Even boxwoods, one plant we know they do not eat, are not completely safe from deer damage. Deer don’t generally consume boxwood, but hungry animals may sample and then discard the distasteful foliage on the ground! Deer also are known to take a bite out of a perennial (usually with a flower bud ready to pop open) then decide that they don’t like it and move on. By planting less appealing varieties, you can lessen the chances of losing your plants to our four-legged friends.

There are many helpful websites to browse that give long lists of plants that are classified as “deer resistant.” But remember: there is really no such thing as “deer proof!” There are lots of products that you can spray onto the foliage of your plants to make them distasteful to deer. The downside is that they wash off in rain storms or when being watered. Another solution is Natura tablets. Place them in the root zone of your plants. Their terrible taste will be absorbed by the plant and will make the plant taste awful for up to a year.

As you know, all plants are divided into categories: bulbs, annuals, perennials, woody shrubs and trees. Integrated within these categories you’ll find groundcovers and ornamental grasses. We will take a look at some of the most common plants in our area for folks with Bambi issues.


What are some Deer Resistant Bulbs?

  • Allium - most are perennial
  • Callas - perennial
  • Cannas - can be perennial in warm enough climate. Northern Virginia is on the edge of their hardiness zone.
  • Crocus - perennial
  • Daffodil - perennial
  • Colocasia - (Elephant Ear) - Annual
  • Fritillaria - perennial
  • Galanthus (Snowdrop) - perennial
  • Gladiolus - perennial
  • Hyacinth - perennial

What are some Deer Resistant Annuals?

  • Ageratum
  • Alyssum
  • Angelonia
  • Euphorbia
  • Lantana
  • Lobelia
  • Marigold
  • Nasturtium
  • Nicotiana
  • Petunia (most)
  • Salvia
  • Snapdragons
  • Verbena
  • Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
  • Zinnia

What are some Deer Resistant Perennials and Groundcovers?

  • Achillea (Yarrow)
  • Agastache
  • Anemone
  • Artemesia
  • Asters
  • Astilbe
  • Baptisia
  • Bee Balm (Monarda)
  • Bergenia
  • Bleeding Heart
  • Brunnera
  • Candytuft
  • Catmint (Nepeta)
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Clematis
  • Coneflower (Echinacea)
  • Coreopsis
  • Euphorbia
  • Ferns
  • Hellebores (Lenten Rose)
  • Ivy
  • Lamium
  • Lavender
  • Leucanthemum (Daisy)
  • Lobelia
  • Monarda
  • Peony
  • Pachysandra
  • Salvia
  • Veronica
  • Vinca (Periwinkle)

What are some Woody Shrubs and Trees?

  • Abelia
  • Andromeda (Pieris japonica)
  • Barberry
  • Boxwood
  • Butterfly Bush
  • Camellia
  • Crape myrtle
  • Dogwood
  • Forsythia
  • Fothergilla
  • Hibiscus
  • Holly (most)
  • Juniper
  • Lilac
  • Mountain laurel
  • Spruce
  • Sweetbay Magnolia
  • Weigela

This is a less-than-exhaustive list of plants that deer generally find undesirable. There are more complete lists available from a variety of sites online. Just remember that a deer that is hungry enough will try anything, and your best defense is a blend of plants deer tend to not like with chemical deterrents.