Deer Control: Facts And Deer Resistant Plants


There are some plants that deer will generally avoid: strong-smelling plants in the mint, geranium and marigold families; any plant in the daffodil family; toxic plants such as in the foxglove and nightshade families; plants with fuzzy, prickly or sharp leaves and most ornamental grasses and ferns.

The most effective way to keep deer away is to install deer-proof fencing. There are a variety of designs and the best type for any given area depends on your specific situation.

Fencing options include: plastic mesh, electrified polytape, woven wire and electric fence kits which come equipped with a scented lure.



Commercial repellents can be successful by making plants taste unpleasant to deer and woodchucks. Deer seem to respond best to sulfurous odors (i.e. rotten egg-based products), which appear to also be "fear-inducing" by giving off smells that deer associate with a predator.

Some fertilizers made from human sewage offer repellency if sprinkled on the soil and in clumps around the perimeter of your garden.



Facts

  • There is no such thing as a completely "deer-resistant" garden. A hungry deer will sample everything when the going gets tough. A fence is the only 100 percent solution.
  • In order for repellents to work best, use them before (or as soon as) you see damage.
  • Repellents must be reapplied every two weeks and after heavy rains to be effective.


Deer "Resistant" Plants


Annuals

  • Angelonia
  • Anisodontea
  • Cestrum
  • Coleus
  • Perilla
  • Petunia
  • Salvia
  • Torenia
  • Verbena
  • Vinca "Vinca Vine"

Shrubs

  • Buddleia
  • Buxus
  • Caryopteris
  • Deutzia
  • Hibiscus
  • Itea
  • Leycesteria
  • Rhamnus
  • Spiraea
  • Thuja (plicata)
  • Viburnum
  • Weigela

Perennials

  • Aster
  • Bergenia
  • Digitalis "Foxglove"
  • Eupatroium "Joe Pye Weed"
  • Euphorbia
  • Geranium "Cranesbill"
  • Heuchera "Coral Bells" or "Alumroot"
  • Lysimachia
  • Ophiopogon "Mondo Grass"
  • Pulmonaria "Lungwort"
  • Salvia
  • Santolina
  • Stipa "Mexican Feather Grass"
  • Tiarella "Foamflower"

Herbs

  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Rosemary
  • Russian Sage

Herbs

  • Lamium


- Proven Winners