Deer Proof Perennials
I have found that spraying my flower bed with deer repellant product will help protect the non-resistant plants. Some work better than others. The important thing to remember is to spray early in the season before the deer get a taste of their favorite food-otherwise they will return even with the spray on the plant. Continue to spray throughout the growing season timing the sprays as the label recommends.
Following are deer proof perennials-these are not their favorite but they will eat them if desperate.
Ajuga
Allium
Angelica (Angelica Archangelica)
Artemesia
Asclepias
Astillbe
Baby’s Breath(Gypsophyla)
Bellflower (Campanula)
Bergenia
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Black cohosh, Black snakeroot
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Boltonia (Boltonia asteroides)
Bugbane (Cimicifuga racemosa)
Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Buttercup (Ranunculus sp)
Candytuft (Iberis)
Catmint (Nepeta cataria)
Chrysanthemum(Dendranthema)
Columbine (Aquilegia Canadensis)
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coreopsis
Daffodil (Narcissus)
Dead nettle (Lamium)
False indigo (Baptisia)
Fleece flower (Polygonum)
Foxglove (Digitalis)
Gay feather (Liatris)
Gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia hirta)
Goatsbeard (Aruncus)
Heather (Calluna sp.)
Iris
Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium)
Knapweed Centurea sp.)
Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla)
Lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina)
Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis)
L iliy of the valley (Convallaria)
Little bluestem(Schizachyrium)
Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Maiden grass (Miscanthus
Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale)
Pachysandra
Peony (Paeonia)
Prickly pear (Opuntia)
Primrose (Primula)
Rhubarb (Rheum)
Russian sage (Perovskia)
Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum x superbum)
Soap weed (Yucca elata)
Stone crop (Sedum acre)
Turtlehead
Wild bergamot, bee balm (Monarda)
Yarrow (Achillea)
Yellow archangel (Lamiastrum)
Yucca
Veronica
Vinca
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My Passion Flower buds are falling off before they open==Please Help!!
Sometimes a problem can have a simple solution. There is a good chance that your bud drop is due to a moisture problem. Passion flower requires plenty of water during the growing season. Water abundantly, but do not let the water sit in the pot. Low humidity can also cause the buds to dry up and drop. The exotic passiflora likes bright light with at least 3 hrs of direct sun every day with temps. (64-71). I hope this will help you.
Comment by Mary — 6/2/2004 @ 5:42 am
We love hydrangas but they are not on the deer proof list. We have lots of deer,so what else can we plant that is a flowering, perennial that will grow in the shade? We live in East Texas zone
There is a good site aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu that may be of some help to you regarding a flowering perennials.
Comment by Mary — 5/12/2005 @ 8:02 pm
I have a “potato vine” (don’t know correct name, but it has small white flowers). It is in a lg pot facing south on a deck, all day sun. I water at least weekly l & fertilize, and it’s straggly with sparse dark leaves. What am I doing wrong? - Leslie
It may be getting too much sun and not enough water especially in the middle of summer. I have to water my container plants almost every day during the summer. Move it to a more protected area with less afternoon sun and don’t let it dry out.
Comment by Leslie Berring — 8/23/2005 @ 11:31 am
I live in Wisconsin and have two yucca plants next to my deck facing south. They do not look as nice as when I first planted them yet they stalk and flower every year. Should I remove the stalks at the end of each season & if yes, what should I do with the pods. How do I get them to look healthy again? Our winters are very cold and snowy, should I cover them? Advise is appreciated.
Some cut the stalk because it takes energy out of the plant for seed production. The pods contain seeds. You can plant them but it will take a long time 3-4 yrs. to bloom. Yucca can look unsightly especially after winter but will perk up in the spring when new growth emerges. Leave the old growth on for winter protection. No need to cover them, but if winter is severe try mulching with leaves. They are hardy to zone 4
Comment by Barbara — 9/11/2005 @ 9:08 am
Here in Elkview, WV (southwestern WV) the deer will not eat Marigolds so I plant them around my Hostas, which they love.
Comment by Dena Harbert — 10/23/2005 @ 9:36 pm
Deer love to eat the blossoms and leaves of the native turtlehead. They are not deer proof, at least in MD
Comment by Pamela — 3/8/2006 @ 7:37 am
I live on the forest edge in Maine. Try planting lilac bushes on the outer area of your yard/planting bed. Deer hate it. Also,bury onion & garlic bulbs around your planting beds, they hate the smell.
Comment by tuftsgang — 4/4/2006 @ 4:49 am
On tv they had a show about placing a mulch of “cocoa bean shells” around your tulips and they said it smells like chocolate and deer hate the smell…will be trying it this summer as we just bought some land
Comment by shawnee — 4/12/2006 @ 7:20 am
betty ,
Hello, can you tell me if Shasta Daisies are deer proof perennials ?? I see black eyed Susan, would they be the same as Shasta�s? I am looking forward to your reply.
Thank you, Betty, Edwardsville, Pa.
Comment by Betty — 2/21/2008 @ 3:45 pm
Here is a great resource with a comprehensive listing of deer resistant plants, fencing, deer deterrents and various other deer control solutions at http://www.deer-departed.com/deer-resistant-plants.html
Comment by Gladys — 3/21/2008 @ 2:05 pm