I have found that spraying my flower bed with deer repellant products 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 feed even with the spray on the plant. Continue to spray throughout the growing season. Time the spray application according to label recommendations. You may have to re -spray after a heavy rain.
Following are deer proof perennials -these are not their favorite plants but deer will eat them if there is little else to feed on.
Ajuga
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
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)
Liliy 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
Deer resistant bulbs
Allium
Crocus
Daffodil (Narcissus sp.)
Frittilaria
Glory-in-the-snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)
Grape hyacinth (Muscari sp.)
Snowdrop (Glanthus nivalis)
Striped Squill (Puschkinia scilloides)
Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
More info on deer resistant plants: Deer resistant annuals
From the reader archive
Useful reader questions
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…
Read Barbara discussionI 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…
Read Leslie Berring discussionbetty , 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. Shasta daisies are…
Read Betty discussionSomething is taking off the heads of my flowers . What can i do about it. Probably, rabbits or deer are enjoying your culinary delights. There are several repellants which can be used before damage occurs or the animal has tasted the…
Read admin discussion
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.
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.
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
Here in Elkview, WV (southwestern WV) the deer will not eat Marigolds so I plant them around my Hostas, which they love.
Deer love to eat the blossoms and leaves of the native turtlehead. They are not deer proof, at least in MD
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.
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
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.
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
Forget the black-eyed susans. The deer eat them down to the ground. They do leave the shasta daisies alone–planted right with the black-eyed susans. Go figure. They’ve eaten turtleheads in NJ, too.
By the way, I don’t think hunger has anything to do with their eating habits, they just enjoy a good salad bar when they see one!
Something is taking off the heads of my flowers . What can i do about it.
I recommend a new book, Creating a Deer & Rabbit Proof Garden by Peter Derano.
great book, worth the money
http://www.creatingadeerproofgarden.com
I bought the book, recommended here- Creating a deer & rabbit proof garden, recently.
Thank you!
It is truly a very helpful book.
I’m am excited about using it as my guide during the planting season
thanks again
I have also purchased the book, Creating a Deer & Rabbit Proof Garden (New edition)
and find it to be great tool.
many, full color large pictures and some great suggestions!
I highly recommend it
Deer tip
I live in the great Colorado mountains and found that Deer hate human hair! I ask our local salon to save the cuttings and I sprinkle the hair around my flowers. Don’t really undersatnd it but it works.
Check out the book, Creating a Deer & Rabbit Proof Garden.
Great tips, many , many photo’s
I strongly recommend it
Jo
Here in Ontario, the deer adore my black snakeroot spring, summer and fall.
I really love passion flower because it helps me to reduce my own anxiety. I find passion flower to be very relaxing and quite easily helps me sleep at night. “,“`
Warmest regards
http://www.foodsupplementdigest.com/benefits-of-grape-seed-extract/