Deer dislike Persian shield (Strobilanthes), Shirley poppies (Papaver rhoeas), and ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum) at all sizes because of their leaf texture. Tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis) lends an airy aspect to any landscape with its willowy appearance and stunning purple blossoms. Because of its chance self-seeding, it’s an excellent annual to have in the garden. It appears to be a deer-resistant annual, which is a plus. Tall verbena has the potential to become invasive in rivers in some Southern climates, so do your research before planting it to your yard.
What plants do deer hate the most?
Deer-Resistant Plants (24 of them)
- Marigold (French Marigold) (Tagetes) French marigolds are a favorite of gardeners globally since they come in a rainbow of vibrant hues and bloom for a long time.
What kind of flowers will deer not eat?
Let’s be honest: there are no plants that are completely deer-proof. Deer have been known to consume practically anything if food is scarce. Deer will be most active from October to February, when they will be browsing the most.
However, there are several plants that are unappealing to deer. As a result, we want to develop plants that aren’t the deer’s first pick.
It’s worth noting that “In the first few weeks following planting, when their leaf tissue is extremely nitrogen-rich, “resistant” types can be vulnerable. If you have a lot of deer in your yard, we recommend spraying new plants with a deer repellent 3 to 4 weeks after planting to keep them from getting nibbled and harmed. Even if they are devoured, the plants should survive as long as their root systems are not harmed.
Deer-resistant plants have been identified through research and can be designated “Deer-repellent.” Take a look at the list below.
Which Plants Do Deer Like to Eat?
Some plants are referred to as “deer candy.” We surely don’t want to be squandering our hard-earned cash on a deer smorgasbord.
- According to University of Rhode Island researchers who researched white-tailed deer damage to nurseries, animals have a special liking for hostas, daylilies, and English ivy.
Which Plants Do Deer Dislike?
- Poisonous plants are avoided by deer, which is understandable. Deer avoid daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies because they are harmful to them.
- Deer also have a great aversion to fragrant plants with strong odors. Deer dislike herbs like sages, decorative salvias, and lavender, as well as flowers like peonies and bearded irises.
- Would you like to eat a spiky plant? Deer, on the other hand, don’t do it (unless they’re desperate). Plants like lamb’s ear aren’t on their list of favorites.
Deer-Resistant Plants for Shade
- Bleeding hearts are one of our favorite deer-resistant perennials (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, aka Dicentra spectabilis).
- Astilbe is a deer-resistant plant that thrives in the shade. The combination of Astilbe ‘Bridal Veil,’ ‘Visions,’ and ‘Fanal’ is lovely.
Deer-Resistant Plants for Sun
- The butterfly-friendly Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’ blooms from May to September and attracts butterflies but not deer.
- Blazing Star (Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’) is another sun-loving perennial that isn’t a favorite of the deer.
- Echinacea purpurea is a pollinator magnet and one of our favorite native flowers.
- Finally, the popular Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Becky’ is a deer-resistant variant of Shasta Daisy.
List of Top Deer-Resistant Plants, Flowers, and Shrubs
Here’s a list of common plants that deer rarely or never harm. Remember that the first rule of deer-proofing is that there are no plants that are entirely deer-proof.
Will rabbits eat Persian shield?
Strobilanthes dyerianus is a delicate perennial with iridescent purple leaves that adds drama to any garden. This evergreen subshrub in the acanthus family (Acanthaceae) with the common name Persian Shield has been planted for its attractive foliage indoors and out since Victorian times. It is mainly used as a seasonal annual or as a houseplant in colder locations, as it is only hardy to zone 10 (maybe root hardy to zone 8).
When the weather is mild, Persian shield languishes, but when the weather is hot and humid, it swiftly grows into a huge, bushy, mounded plant. This soft-stemmed herbaceous shrub can reach a height of 5 feet and a width of 3 feet when planted in containers or in cooler climes, but it usually stays considerably smaller.
The lance-shaped leaves on the opposite side have lightly serrated edges and pronounced veins, giving them a quilted appearance. The foliage is a deep purple, lilac, and green with silvery highlights on older leaves, giving the upper surface a distinctive metallic or iridescent luster. The lower leaf surface is purple-maroon in color. Individual leaves grow to be 6-8 inches long and have the best color in warmer weather. Plants acquire woody stems as they mature, and the hue of the foliage tends to fade, so it’s best to start with new plants or take cuttings every year to get the most attractive foliage.
Older plants produce short conical spikes of tiny blooms raised above the foliage in moderate areas in the fall and winter. The five-lobed flowers are pale blue to violet in color and have two, three, or four stamens. The flowers arise from sticky brachts and open progressively along the spike, allowing the plant to bloom for an extended period of time. After a while, the wasted blossoms turn brown, making them unattractive for a long time. Floral buds emerge from every node once the plant produces spikes, and the stems can no longer be used for propagation. Plants are difficult to return to the vegetative stage. Bud initiation is unpredictable, and the elements that cause reproduction are unknown.
For foliar contrast, Persian shield is a nice addition to bigger gardens. It contrasts beautifully with variegated, lime-green or chartreuse-colored foliage. For a monochromatic design, pair the purple leaves with pink, lavender, or purple flowers, such as purple flowered lantana or Verbena bonariensis, or with yellow or orange flowers, such as Tithonia or marigolds, for a high contrast look. For a more refined aesthetic, the silvery highlights on the leaves mirror white flowers or white to silvery foliage, such as lamb’s ears, dusty miller, or silver Plectranthus.
Plant it alongside coleus (such as one with lime green leaves with purple veins and margins), or mix it with caladiums, elephant ears, and/or cannas for a dramatic, tropical appearance. It can be used as a temporary specimen planting in the landscape or around ponds, or it can be used to big mixed container plantings if its growth is regulated.
In northern places, plant Persian shield in full sun; in southern states, it prefers moderate shade. If it becomes overly leggy, it can be pinched back, but this is usually not a concern when grown as a seasonal annual. Provide a soil that is rich in organic matter, has good drainage, and receives plenty of water. Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart. Fertilize once a month. Persian shield has few pests and is said to be unappealing to deer and rabbits. Spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs can all infest indoor plants. In frigid locations, this plant may typically be kept over the winter by digging it up in the fall (long before the first frost) and storing it indoors in moderate light. Plants may lose all of their leaves, but they should reappear in the spring from the roots.
Cuttings are commonly used to propagate this plant, but it can also be cultivated from seed. Early spring or summer basal or softwood cuttings root quickly in water or damp medium. Cuttings can also be collected late in the summer or early in the fall and brought indoors to overwinter.
There are about 250 other Strobilanthes species, including S. maculates from the Himalayas, which has silver-splotched leaves, and S. lactates from Brazil, which has white blotched leaves, but none of these are widely available as ornamentals.
What flowers will deer and rabbits not eat?
- Are your plants being devoured by pests? Both deer and rabbits avoid these perennials.
- Allium is a type of allium (Ornamental Onion) Although onions are an important part of the human diet, the flavor is unpleasant to grazers.
Are hydrangea deer resistant?
Hydrangeas aren’t a deer’s favorite flower in general. Hydrangeas, on the other hand, are neither deer resistant nor deer proof. Taking extra precautions to keep deer from eating your lovely shrubs isn’t difficult, and it shouldn’t keep you from trying to plant hydrangeas in your garden.
Are Black Eyed Susans deer resistant?
It may sound like a fantasy to have a lovely garden that returns year after year and keeps hungry deer away, but it is possible! Make a whole deer-resistant garden out of plants that these animals despise.
A hungry deer, of course, will eat just about anything. Because they are aromatic, thorny, or sap-filled, these plants repel. Use them in your garden to keep deer away from your favorite plants, such as garden phlox and hosta.
Bee balm’s minty aroma repels deer, yet pollinators can’t get enough of it. From July through August, Bee Balm blooms in violet blue, red, pink, or white and grows to be around 2-3 feet tall. For huge, robust blossoms, feed your Bee Balm with Espoma’s Organic Flower-tone fertilizer. Zones 48 are the best.
Lavender is a must-have for any garden since it repels pests and deer. Deer are put off by its fluffy and aromatic leaves. Between June and August, the majority of types bloom. Lavender requires full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. Throughout the growing season, feed with Espoma’s Plant-tone. Zones 59 are suitable for this plant.
Black-eyed susans thrive in the sun, their dark brown centers poking out from among the gold or golden petals. Deer and bunnies keep away from it because it is coated with coarse hair. These daisy-like blossoms are ideal for a bouquet in the late summer or fall. They reach a height of around 2 feet and can withstand extreme heat and drought. In zones 39, grow in full sun.
Deer despise yarrow, a bright yellow perennial with fluffy foliage. It blooms for a long period of time, from June to September. It’s a tall bloom, growing to a height of 2.5-3 feet on average. With Espoma’s Organic Garden Soil, you can give your flowers a firm soil foundation to help them bloom. Zones 38 are the best for this plant.
Deer-resistant gardens will benefit from the brilliant bell-shaped blossom with freckles on the interior. Because it is poisonous to deer, this plant is labeled as deer-resistant (and humans). Because many foxgloves are biennials, blossoms don’t appear until the second year after they’ve been planted. However, newer hybrid forms are perpetual. Because they are self-sowers, they will bloom year after year if the stalks are left in place. Keep the flowers going with Espoma’s liquid Bloom! Zones 49 are ideal for growing this plant.
Bleeding heart is a traditional cottage staple with a sap that deer dislike. Beautiful blooms emerge in late spring and linger throughout the summer, while the foliage remains attractive far into the fall. It’s easy to understand why their floral pendants, which come in rose pink and white hues, will be a success. It’s impossible to go wrong with a little romance. Zones 48 are suitable for this plant.
Do deer like geraniums?
The last thing you want to deal with after painstakingly and carefully developing a geranium garden is a deer invasion destroying all of your hard work. Deer are opportunistic mammals who will eat anything they come upon, including grass, shrubs, and practically any sort of plant. Continue reading if you’re concerned about deer encroaching on your flower beds and want to learn how to avoid this from occurring to you.
Geraniums aren’t a deer’s favorite flower, but they will consume them in a variety of situations. Deer are usually deterred by the strong scent and slightly fuzzy texture, although this is not always the case. Your geraniums may become a dinner item if food is scarce or if they are surrounded by plant life that deer find interesting. A variety of approaches can be used to prevent this from happening.
I’ll show you how to effectively save your geraniums from deer in this quick guide to deer and geraniums. You’ll also discover what other pests enjoy these blooms and how to keep them away before all of your hard work is eaten up.
Will deer eat tulips?
Lilies and Tulips (Not) Tulip and Lily blossoms are preferred by deer bon-bons, which is unfortunate but true. Deer may wait until the spring buds have swelled up to their full beauty, or until the flowers have opened, before eating. Rabbits may eat developing stems and foliage, as well as low-variety flowers, on a smaller scale.
What shade annuals are deer resistant?
Snapdragons, alyssum, nicotiana, and cleome are among Rutgers’ “A” list of shade-tolerant annuals that are least likely to be eaten by deer (I like dwarf ones, such as Senorita Rosalita).