No More Deer Damage
It's always fun to spot a family of deer in the yard until you realize they're snacking on your plants and flowers. While no plant is entirely deer resistant—they're going to nibble on anything in the garden if they're hungry!—there are some plant varieties that deer dislike more than others. Click through to learn about the best deer resistant flowers for your garden.
Poppies
Poppies are a dazzling addition to a sunny garden landscape. They come in myriad colors and bloom from early to mid-summer. They're a favorite perennial for cut flowers; plant some seeds and you’ll enjoy them year after year.
Catmint
Catmint is a super-hardy perennial that’s not only deer-resistant but drought-resistant as well. It’s a standout in containers, beds, or borders. Cut it back hard after that first flush of brilliant purple flowers, and you’ll be rewarded with another bloom before the end of the season.
Related: 50 Plants That Thrive in Any Yard
American Holly
A cheery staple of Christmastime decor, American holly is also beautiful in a landscape. Prolific in Zones 5 through 9, holly can reach up to 50 feet in height or be pruned into an attractive hedge. If you want those beautiful red berries, plant four or more to cross-pollinate.
Related: 30 Ways to Color Your Yard This Fall
Garden Sage
Sage is an appealing component of an herb garden or ornamental border. Its lush green leaves, punctuated by spikes of purple blooms throughout the growing season, are a tasty treat for you—but not the deer.
Iris
Despite their exotic looks, irises are hardy, easy perennials to grow, with distinctive flowers that put on a real show in the spring. Named after the Greek goddess Iris, who rode rainbows, irises aptly come in a rainbow of colors. Deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, graceful iris is outstanding in any garden.
Lamb's Ear
The fuzzy, felted foliage of lamb’s ear makes it a popular perennial groundcover. It’s happy in hot, dry weather, and although it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, it will not attract deer. Plant it in beds and borders, and you’ll enjoy both its textured leaves and spiky flowers.
Related: 25 No-Effort Plants for a Foolproof Landscape
Pachysandra
If you have a shady spot in need of groundcover, pachysandra is your best friend. Evergreen and low maintenance, pachysandra produces pretty white flowers in early spring. Plant it, and it will grow rapidly into a lush, green, deer-resistant carpet.
Related: The Dos and Don'ts of Planting Ground Cover
Daffodils
One of the first signs of spring is the sunny daffodil. They are hardy, easy perennials to grow in most of North America. Plant bulbs in the fall to enjoy beautiful yellow- and white-trumpeted flowers in early spring. With any luck, the deer will gravitate instead to the tulips in your neighbor’s yard!
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush is a fragrant, showy, easy-to-grow shrub. Plant in early spring, and it will soon tower 5 to 10 feet tall. In warmer climates, butterfly bush can grow as tall as a tree. The fruity smelling flowers resist deer but attract butterflies and hummingbirds, which will delight your visitors, young and old alike.
Boxwood
With glossy evergreen leaves that deer dislike, boxwood is a popular landscaping choice. You can plant one alone or group several together to form a hedge. Boxwood's small leaves and dense structure also make it excellent for shaping, so you can use it in patterned and topiary designs.
Related: 30 Plants for Your Easiest Garden Ever
Deter the Deer
Avoiding deer damage starts with what you plant.
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