Deer Resistant Gardens: Creating Gardens That Deter Browsing

Understanding Deer Behavior in Gardens

Deer can transform a lovingly tended garden into a buffet overnight. These graceful but hungry creatures have developed preferences and aversions to certain plants, providing gardeners with opportunities to design landscapes that remain largely intact even in deer-heavy areas.

While no plant is completely “deer-proof” when food is scarce, many plants are consistently passed over when alternatives exist. Understanding which plants deer tend to avoid allows gardeners to create beautiful outdoor spaces without constant frustration or the need for physical barriers.

Principles of Deer-Resistant Garden Design

Creating a deer-resistant garden involves more than simply selecting plants deer dislike. Thoughtful design strategies can enhance your success:

Strategic Plant Placement

Place more vulnerable plants closer to the house where human activity deters deer. Use deer-resistant plants as a protective border around more desirable species. This technique creates a natural barrier that deer are reluctant to cross.

One effective approach used by experienced gardeners is surrounding choice plants with aromatic herbs or flowers. For example, a hedge of nepeta (catmint) can protect more vulnerable plants, as deer strongly dislike its scent.

Layered Defense Strategy

Implement a multi-layered approach by:
– Using plants with different deer-resistant qualities (scent, texture, toxicity)
– Varying heights and densities to create physical and psychological barriers
– Incorporating hardscape elements like gravel paths that deer find uncomfortable to walk on

Seasonal Considerations

Deer feeding patterns change throughout the year. During spring and summer when food is abundant, deer may be more selective. In late fall and winter, hunger may drive them to eat plants they would normally avoid.

Plan your garden with year-round resistance in mind, ensuring that even in lean seasons, your most precious plants have some protection.

Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) has developed a comprehensive rating system for deer resistance, categorizing plants from “Rarely Damaged” to “Frequently Severely Damaged.” This research-based approach helps gardeners make informed choices.

Rarely Damaged Plants

These plants are your best defense against deer browsing:

Plant Type	Examples	Special Characteristics
Ornamental Grasses	Fountain grass, Blue fescue, Maiden grass	Tough texture, low nutritional value
Aromatic Herbs	Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme	Strong scents deer find offensive
Toxic Plants	Foxglove, Daffodil, Monkshood	Contains compounds deer instinctively avoid
Evergreens	Picea glauca (White Spruce), Boxwood	Resinous sap, prickly needles
Ferns	Thelypteris noveboracensis (New York Fern)	Unpalatable texture, chemical compounds

Seldom Severely Damaged Plants

These plants may experience occasional browsing but typically recover well:

Plant Type	Examples	Deer Resistance Factors
Flowering Perennials	Ageratum houstonianum, Dianthus, Peony	Fuzzy leaves, bitter taste
Shrubs	Butterfly bush, Barberry, Lilac	Aromatic foliage, thorny stems
Ornamental Trees	Birch, Magnolia, Redbud	Bitter sap, tough bark

Occasionally Severely Damaged Plants

These plants require strategic placement or additional protection during certain seasons:

Plant Type	Examples	Protection Strategies
Flowering Bulbs	Tulips, Crocus (not Daffodils)	Interplant with daffodils or strongly scented herbs
Fruit Trees	Apple, Cherry, Plum	Protect young trees with cages until established
Vegetables	Lettuce, Beans, Peas	Use companion planting with aromatic herbs

Creative Solutions from Experienced Gardeners

Gardeners across North America have developed innovative approaches to deer-resistant gardening without resorting to tall fences:

Interplanting Techniques

Many gardeners have success interplanting vulnerable species with deer-resistant companions. For instance, planting dianthus and marigolds among tastier perennials creates confusion for deer, who must navigate through plants they dislike to reach those they prefer.

Aromatic Borders

Creating borders of strongly scented plants like nepeta, Russian sage, or lavender around garden beds has proven effective. These aromatic barriers mask the scent of more appealing plants and create a perimeter deer are reluctant to cross.

Textural Diversity

Gardens featuring plants with fuzzy, prickly, or leathery foliage naturally deter deer. Plants like lamb’s ear, globe thistle, and ornamental grasses provide interesting textures while remaining unappealing to browsing animals.

Deer-Resistant Plant Characteristics

Understanding why deer avoid certain plants helps in making informed selections:

Aromatic Foliage

Plants with strong fragrances, particularly those containing essential oils, typically repel deer. These include:
– Herbs: Mint, oregano, thyme, lavender
– Flowering plants: Salvias, bee balm, Russian sage
– Shrubs: Boxwood, juniper, bayberry

Fuzzy or Hairy Textures

Deer dislike the mouth-feel of plants with fuzzy leaves or stems:
– Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina)
– Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
– Mullein (Verbascum)

Toxic or Bitter Compounds

Many plants have evolved chemical defenses that deer instinctively avoid:
– Foxglove (Digitalis) – contains cardiac glycosides
– Daffodils (Narcissus) – contain lycorine
– Monkshood (Aconitum) – contains aconitine

Tough or Leathery Foliage

Plants with tough, leathery, or fibrous leaves offer little nutritional reward for the effort:
– Ornamental grasses
– Yucca
– Holly

Maintaining a Deer-Resistant Garden

Even with resistant plants, proper maintenance enhances your garden’s ability to deter deer:

Seasonal Vigilance

Be particularly watchful during early spring when new growth is tender and especially appealing to deer. Similarly, late fall and winter may require additional protection as food sources become scarce.

Supplemental Deterrents

Consider complementing your plant choices with:
– Motion-activated sprinklers
– Strategically placed garden ornaments that move in the wind
– Occasional application of deer repellent sprays during vulnerable periods

Adapting to Local Deer Preferences

Deer populations in different regions may develop unique preferences. Observe which plants remain untouched in your neighborhood and incorporate those into your design. Local garden centers and extension offices often have region-specific recommendations.

Starting from Scratch: Blank Slate Approaches

For those beginning with a blank slate in deer-heavy areas:

1. Begin with a foundation of highly deer-resistant plants to establish the garden’s structure
2. Gradually introduce moderately resistant species as the garden matures
3. Reserve vulnerable plants for containers near the house or protected areas
4. Consider hardscaping elements like gravel paths or stone walls that create both visual interest and physical deterrents

Conclusion: Living in Harmony with Wildlife

Creating a deer-resistant garden doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty or diversity. By understanding deer behavior and preferences, gardeners can design landscapes that satisfy both human aesthetics and deer deterrence.

The most successful deer-resistant gardens embrace a balanced approach—selecting plants deer naturally avoid, arranging them strategically, and accepting that occasional browsing may occur. This mindset allows gardeners to create beautiful outdoor spaces while acknowledging their role in the larger ecosystem.

With thoughtful plant selection and creative design strategies, you can create a garden that flourishes despite deer pressure—without resorting to tall fences or constant frustration. The result is a resilient landscape that brings joy to human inhabitants while gently discouraging unwanted wildlife visitors.