Live close to a forest, they say. Stay in touch with nature. Well, what if nature decides your garden is a perfect all-you-can-eat buffet? What if the local deer population with discerning palates agrees?
You need to add some deer-resistant perennials to the menu and keep the customers away. It’s not how hospitality works, but gardening sometimes calls for a bit of strategic uninviting.
Why Choose Perennials for Deer-Resistant Gardens?
The moment you spot those telltale nibbled leaves, you’re on a quest: to find the ideal deer-terrent plants. Certain perennials step up, partly because they’re awesome and partly because:
Most importantly, perennials keep curious herbivores from harming your plants without harming them in turn. It’s a live and let others live tactic that also smells deer-lightful!
Will Deer Really Avoid These Perennials?
So, the million-dollar question: plant these lovely perennials, and the deer will simply pass them by? Well, the short answer is: most of the time, yes. Especially if there’s a more appealing salad bar available elsewhere.
Deer, much like us, have their culinary preferences. Unlike us, they tend to steer clear of plants with strong fragrances, fuzzy or prickly textures, and those that have a bitter or otherwise unappetizing taste.
14 Deer-Resistant Perennials to Plant Now
Here’s an extensive offer of perennials for a garden where deer give a polite ‘no, thank you.’
1: Lavender
Deer steer clear of lavendeer. Its strong scent is probably why. Plus, this sun-lover doesn’t need a ton of water and is a sure lure for bees and butterflies.
2: Russian Sage
Its silvery leaves and distinct scent are likely the reasons deer avoid it. Unlike typical Russians, the plant is known to do well in hot, dry conditions, and it produces beautiful purple-blue flowers.
3: Yarrow
Deer tend to give yarrow a not-so-narrow berth thanks to its bitter flavor and that noticeable scent. On the other hand, gardeners love it. It’s a cinch to grow, and those clusters of colorful, flat-topped flowers, along with the ferny leaves, actually bring in the good bugs.
4: Coneflower (Echinacea)
Rough leaves on coneflowers? Deer usually turn their noses up at them. And yet they’re a real fan favorite of all sorts of pollinators. Plus, they come in a bunch of lovely colors.
5: Black-Eyed Susan
That slightly prickly feel of Black-eyed Susan’s leaves is a big hint for deer to look elsewhere for a meal. For us gardeners, they’re super easy to care for and those bright yellow flowers really add a cheerful touch.
6: Salvia
There’s a pretty strong aroma that comes off salvia leaves, and deer just aren’t fans. Meanwhile, your pollinator neighbors will bee all over it, and you get your pick of tons of different flower colors.
7: Catmint (Nepeta)
Funny enough, cats go crazy for this stuff, but deer? They can’t stand that minty smell. It’s a pretty resilient plant, too, handling dry spells like a champ and flowering for ages.
8: Lamb’s Ear
Deer tend to find soft, fuzzy leaves unappetizing, which is a win for gardeners and the actual lambs. Unlimited pets allowed.
9: Bee Balm
Bee Balms prove that one’s perfume can be stronger than ano-deer’s hunger. Interestingly, its nectar-rich, shaggy flowers are a top choice for attracting a dazzling array of hummingbirds.
10: Coreopsis
Deer won’t munch on this tough cookie. But for gardeners craving endless sunshine, Coreopsis delivers flowers non-stop from early summer to frost. Consider it the low-maintenance friend who always brings the party.
11: Peony
Turns out, Peony’s toxic trait is a reason deer swipe left. However, it’s good news for those who adore big, bold spring blooms. Plant away!
12: Hellebores
An early bird of the garden world, Hellebores sprout deer-ightful cup-shaped flowers. And still, local deer just give these resilient beauties a “thank you, but no thank you” and move along.
13: Bleeding Heart
The delicate, fern-like leaves of bleeding heart don’t seem to appeal to deer much. Perhaps that’s why their hearts bleed? You’ll find their pink or white charming flowers in a shady corner, pondering love.
14: Columbine
Don’t let their delicate, almost lacy blooms fool you; deer tend to give Columbines a pass. Most likely, they prefer to appreciate the beauty of intricate, spurred flowers from afar.
How to Make Your Garden Even Less Appealing to Deer?
How to make anything less appealing to deer? Spray tones of perfume!
Translate that to your garden, and you get lavender and rosemary. Deer, with their sensitive noses, often avoid these strong scents. Tulips or hostas, not so much.
Hence, your goal becomes to create an unappetizing alliance by grouping your deer-resistant plants together. A united front of less desirable foliage will encourage deer to look for free food in your neighbor’s garden.
