Are deer treating your landscaping plants like a buffet line? One easy remedy is to plant flowers and plants that deer tend to avoid, either because they are toxic, smell bad to them or have textures that they find unpleasant.
Here’s a round-up of 50 flowers, plants and herbs that deer tend to dislike. All of these are suitable for our zone 4 Minnesota gardens, either as perennials or annuals, and should work well in most other parts of the country.
- Yarrow
- Columbine
- Daffodil
- Dahlia
- Allium
- Wax Begonia
- Coneflower
- Sweet Alyssum
- Shasta Daisy
- Lily of the Valley
- Poppy
- Iris
- Peony
- Dusty Miller
- Lamb’s Ear
- Marigold
- Geranium
- Russian Sage
- Hens and Chicks
- Blue Salvia
- Heliotrope
- English Ivy
- Foxglove
- Hyssop
- Snapdragon
- Snow-on-the-mountain
- Snowdrops
- Bleeding Heart
- Anemone
- Astilbe
- Liatris
- Bee Balm
- Trillium
- Baby’s Breath
- Marjoram
- Lavender
- Catmint
- Lemon Balm
- Mint
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Basil
- Parsley
- St. John’s Wort
- Tansy
- Horseradish
- Fennel
- Rhubarb
Note that some, such as foxglove, are quite poisonous. Use care when planting poisonous plants around pets and children.
Many others on the list are quite tasty and edible for human consumption, such as the many herbs, rhubarb (never eat the leaves, of course, which are poisonous) and horseradish.
Deer tend to dislike strong flavors and scents, prickly plants (other than roses, which they’ll often nibble to the ground), plants with gray foliage, and poisonous plants. Also keep in mind that if deer are hungry enough, they’ll eat almost anything. These varieties tend to be their last choices, though.
Happy gardening!
