Deer Resistant Plants
It’s never a good feeling when you come out to your garden just to see that the deer have turned your favorite flowers into an all-you-can-eat buffet! No garden can be completely deer-proof, especially not with the decline in habitat and natural food sources. That being said, you can still choose strongly scented, tough-textured, or woody plants that deer are less likely to nibble on.
A fragrant, woody perennial herb with silvery-green leaves and tall spikes of purple flowers. It grows 18-24 inches tall and thrives in full sun with well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Lavender is perfect for garden beds, containers, and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. It's commonly used in aromatherapy, cooking, and as a natural insect repellent. Prune regularly to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth.
Society garlic is a groundcover that produces delicate, star-shaped purple flowers. These perennial plants grow to about a foot tall and are wonderful in borders or mass plantings. The rhizomes and leaves are edible and can be used in dishes the same way that garlic or garlic chives are used. Flowers are also edible and can be used as a delicate garnish.
Growth Habit: Clumping, ground cover, 1-2ft tall
Native Origin: South Africa
Hardiness Zone: 8-10
Environmental Needs: Full Sun to light shade, Deer resistant, Drought Tolerant
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: To improve drainage and encourage flowering, work two to three inches of organic compost or general-purpose fertilizer into the soil once a year in early spring. Established plants can survive extended droughts, moderate frosts, and light freezes. Remove any foliage that may be damaged by frost.
An evergreen shrub with dense, glossy green foliage that can be easily shaped. Known for being low maintenance, it grows 3-5 ft tall with a compact, rounded form. Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Ideal for hedges, borders, or topiaries. Tolerates pruning well and is a classic choice for formal gardens.
Growth Habit: Compact Shrub
Native Origin: Europe, Asia, Africa
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Environment Needs: Full Sun, Part Shade
Typically deer resistant.
Low-level toxin in leaves.
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Prune and shape at any time, protect from strong winds. Feed with Boxwood Turbo Grow in the spring and fall for vibrant color.
A slow-growing evergreen shrub, Yellow Anise grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. It has dark green, aromatic leaves and yellow star-shaped flowers in spring. Ideal for partial to full shade and well-drained soil. Perfect for adding fragrance and texture to shaded gardens.
Growth Habit: Dense Shrub, upright, Multi-stemmed tree, 10-20’ft tall and wide
Native Origin: Florida
Hardiness Zone: 7-11
Environmental Needs: Full to Part Sun, Prefers sandy acidic soils
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Yellow anise can be pruned to any desired shape, making it great for a buffer, screen or hedge, or a specimen plant. Its foliage may thin out when grown in full shade. The plant is relatively pest-free but cannot tolerate salt or long periods of drought.
An evergreen shrub with striking red, bottlebrush-shaped flowers. Growing to about 3-5 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide, it’s perfect for borders or as a focal point. This plant thrives in full sun and attracts hummingbirds and pollinators.
Growth Habit: Evergreen, shrub, tree. 10-20 ft high to 8-15ft wide
Native Origin: Australia
Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Environmental Needs: Full Sun
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Lightly prune after flowering to promote reflowering. Feed in spring with a slow release fertilizer
Prolific, large, sweetly fragrant, velvety white blooms and lustrous evergreen foliage on a rounded shrub that forms a beautiful natural hedge, screen, or container accent. Patio tree forms are especially effective in formal designs. A superb flower for corsages, wedding bouquets, or an elegant centerpiece of petals floating in a bowl of water.
Growth Habit: Rounded Bush
Native Origin: Southern China, Japan
Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Environment Needs: This variety is heat and humidity-tolerant, thriving in well-drained, acidic soil. Regular watering is recommended.
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Thrives in organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Handle with care when transplanting; gardenia roots are best undisturbed. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.
The October Magic Camellia creates an explosion of color during the fall and winter seasons. Small salmon-rose double flowers appear in clusters as other plants are just beginning to lose their leaves. The dark emerald green leaves provide an eye-catching, glossy background that contrasts elegantly with the rich magenta blooms. This evergreen has a dense, uniform habit that makes maintaining the October Magic Rose effortless. Camellias thrive in slightly acidic soil, and applying a slow-release granular fertilizer yearly will keep this plant vigorous and productive.
Growth Habit: Columnar, dense, 10 ft.-13 ft. tall by 5 ft.- 10 ft. wide
Native Origin: China, Korea, Japan
Hardiness Zone:7-9
Environmental Needs: Part Shade
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Camellia prefers shade to part-shade with some protection from drying winter winds and well-drained soils that are high in organic matter and slightly acidic. Excess sun, cold, or shade can reduce flowering. Because next year's blossoms appear on old growth, prune immediately after flowering or in early summer. Pruning later in the year may sacrifice next year’s blooms. Propagate camellia by stem cuttings or layering.
This stunning sport from the extremely popular red Yuletide Camellia has large, wonderfully fragrant, bubblegum pink blooms with bright yellow stamens - making a beautiful addition to the cool season garden. Float blossoms in a bowl to enjoy the fragrance indoors. An excellent choice for a colorful hedge, espalier, or border shrub. Evergreen.
Growth Habit: Evergreen, compact shrub, 8 to 10 ft. tall and wide in 12 years
Native Origin: Japan, Korea, China
Hardiness Zone: 7-10
Environmental Needs: Filtered sun, Full shade, Partial shade, Partial sun
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Provide organically rich, well-drained, acidic soil. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. Prune lightly to shape and feed with an acid fertilizer after flowering.
This lantana has pink, red, and yellow flowers that cover the plant for months on end. Extremely butterfly-friendly, it makes a great border or mass planting for a show of color. It will freeze back in the cold however usually recovers nicely in the spring.
Lantana is heat, salt, and drought-tolerant. It is easy to grow and very low maintenance. Lantana also comes in several attractive varieties; both the native and non-native species are pollinator-friendly. Bees and butterflies flock to the bright mounds of color.
Growth Habit: Spreading, Mounding, Compact, Bushy
Native Origin: Mexico, Central South America
Hardiness Zone: 8-11
Environment Needs: Full Sun
Drought-tolerant, Deer and Rabbit-resistant, Humidity-resistant.
Toxic to Dogs and Cats
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Maintenance: Thrives in average, well-drained soils. Water deeply and regularly in the first growing season to establish the root system. Once established in the landscape, reduce the frequency of watering; continue to water container plants regularly. Fertilize in spring. Prune topiary form regularly to maintain size and shape, especially for spreading varieties.
Garden Sage is a woody perennial herb with silvery-gray, elongated leaves and a robust, earthy flavor. It grows 18-24 inches tall and thrives in full sun with well-drained, slightly dry soil.
Often used in roast meats, stuffing, and Mediterranean dishes, Garden Sage is perfect for herb gardens, containers, and attracts pollinators. It’s drought-tolerant once established, and pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages fresh growth.
A fragrant evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and small, sweetly scented white or orange flowers. Blooms in fall and spring, adding a pleasant aroma to gardens. Grows 10-15 feet tall but can be pruned for hedges or screens. Drought-tolerant after root establishment and low-maintenance.Mosquitoes cant stand the fragrant smell of this tree so it is considered a natural repellent. Tea Tree has been known to be effective for insect bites and allergies as well.
Growth Habit: Shrub, hedge, tree, 10ft high by 6-8ft wide
Native Origin: East Asia
Hardiness Zone: 8-10
Environmental Needs: Full Sun to Part Shade
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Maintenance: Apply a complete fertilizer in early spring such as 10-10-10, preferably one with slow-release nitrogen and follow the directions on the packaging. There is no need to prune this shrub unless you want to limit size or shape. If pruning is desired, prune in late winter or early spring. Tea Olives bloom on new growth so keep that in mind when planning your pruning.
As the days get longer and the sun peaks, its glossy foliage transforms into a mass of dazzling, summer color ranging from cool, refreshing lime to vivid yellow-gold. A compact evergreen shrub with bright yellow foliage. Growing to about 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide, it’s ideal for hedges, borders, or accent planting. This low-maintenance shrub thrives in full sun and adds vibrant color to gardens year-round.
Growth Habit: Compact, shrub bushing, 3-4ft tall by 3-4ft wide
Native Origin: China, Taiwan, Vietnam
Hardiness Zone: 6-10
Environmental Needs: Full Sun, Water when soil dries 1-3 inches at the surface.
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: You can shear or prune your Ligustrum in spring, and remove dead or damaged branches at any time of year. Avoid highly soluble fertilizers if possible. Slow-release, organic-based nutrient sources are the best. Fertilize in early spring, after the threat of frost has passed.
Podocarpus is an evergreen shrub or small tree with dense, dark green foliage. It grows to 6 to 10 feet tall and can spread 4 to 6 feet wide. This plant is adaptable to various soil types and light conditions, thriving in full sun to partial shade. It's a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant option for hedges or privacy screens.
Growth Habit: Tree, shrub, 12-20ft high 6-8ft wide
Native Origin:
Hardiness Zone: 7-11
Environmental Needs: Full Sun to Part Shade. Provide well‑drained soil—from average garden loam to sandy coastal sites—and medium water during establishment.
Growth Rate: Slow
Maintenance: Prune and feed yearly with a slow release fertilizer. Disease and pest resistant, deer resistant, heat tolerant and salt tolerance, for coastal plantings.
Truly stunning cerise pink semi-double bloom with golden stamens and a slight fragrance. An outstanding cut flower. Dense semi-weeping habit and glossy, dark green foliage produce an exceptional evergreen for foundation planting and backgrounds. A mid-season bloomer, from fall through winter.
Growth Habit: Upright, shrub, tree
Native Origin: Japan and China
Hardiness Zone: 7-10
Environmental Needs: Filtered light/ full shade/Part shade/ Part sun
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
attractive to pollinators
Growth Rate: Moderate, can reach 8 to 10ft tall and wide.
Maintenance: Provide organically rich, well-drained, acidic soil. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. Prune lightly to shape and feed with an acid fertilizer after flowering.
Beautiful, pale, buttery yellow, semi-double blooms adorn this mid-to late season bloomer. Its glossy, dark green leaves and lightly fragrant, ruffled flowers are plentiful enough to cut and bring indoors. This showy evergreen is perfect for brightening up a shady woodland garden.
Growth Habit: Upright, Shrub 6 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide.
Native Origin: Japan, China, Asia
Hardiness Zone: 7-10
Environmental Needs: Filtered sun, Full shade, Partial shade, Partial sun
Growth Rate: Fast
Maintenance: Provide organically rich, well-drained, acidic soil. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. Prune lightly to shape and feed with an acid fertilizer after flowering.
Deer Ban™ repellent capsules discourage deer from eating ornamentals and other landscape plants. Deer Ban™ uses a unique gel-tablet application to provide effective year-round protection from wildlife damage. Other repellents attempt to make your plants smell or taste bad and eventually, the deer simply become acclimated and ignore it. And the other repellents smell so bad that they repel you from your yard. Each Deer Ban™ capsule contains predator (coyote) urine that triggers the animal flight response.
With Deer Ban™ there is no smell to humans. You never touch the active ingredient. Simply place the capsules on the ground around your plants and water to activate. It’s that simple.
Unique Gel-Tablet application. Won’t wash away, water activated. No hand contact with ingredients. Natural and biodegradable. Predator Urine technology.
Odorless to humans. Lasts up to 90 days. Deer, with their keen sense of smell, recognize that a predator is close and avoid the area.
Spread on the perimeter of your property or around beds and plantings
Place capsule every 5 to 10 feet, water product to activate.
Dahoon is typically a small, evergreen tree. Stiff, oval, evergreen leaves are glossy, medium-green. The greenish-white, axillary flowers are inconspicuous, while the 1/4 in. diameter fruits, some persisting until spring, range from bright-red to bright-yellow and can be produced in great quantities. Planted as an ornamental for the evergreen foliage and profuse red fruit used in Christmas Decorations. The common name is of American Indian origin.
Growth Habit: Ornamental Tree,40ft height by 8-12ft spread
Hardiness Zone: 7-11
Native Origin: Southeastern United States
Growth Rate: Moderate
Environment Needs: Part Sun, Shade, Full Shade
Maintenance: Little pruning is needed. Moderate water needs but tolerant moisture moisture-retaining soil, as it is a swamp native. Low toxicity berries.
Often the first of the fall blooming Sasanquas to flower, Cotton Candy Camellia produces a mesmerizing abundance of fully double, fluffy flowers with cotton candy pink petals. A standout in the garden! This highly desirable ornamental bush has a sturdy, upright growth habit with small, dark evergreen leaves that make it useful as a hedge or a small evergreen tree form specimen.
Growth Habit: Upright growing shrub
Native Origin: Japan and China
Hardiness Zone: 7-10
Environmental Needs: Part Shade/Full shade/Filtered light
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: It requires an evenly moist, well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates.
A fragrant perennial herb with tall, grass-like leaves that emit a strong, lemony scent. It grows 3-6 feet tall and thrives in full sun with well-drained, moist soil.
Known for its natural ability to repel mosquitoes, citronella is often used in gardens, containers, and outdoor spaces. It's commonly seen in candles and oils for insect control. Regular watering and occasional pruning help keep it healthy and vibrant.
An evergreen shrub with fragrant, aromatic leaves and blue-gray berries that attract wildlife. Grows 6-10 ft tall with a loose, upright form. Prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Great for habitat restoration or a woodland themed landscape. Berries attract birds making it great for bird gardens.
Ideal for hedges, screens, or as a specimen plant. Tolerates salt and drought, making it great for coastal areas.
Growth Habit: Shrub, 6-12ft wide by 20ft high
Native Origin: Native through Central America and Mexico
Hardiness Zone: 7-11
Environmental Needs: Full Sun, Part Shade,
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Requires constant moisture to establish root system. Highly adaptable
An evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves and star-shaped, red flowers that bloom in late spring. Great for shady borders, woodland gardens, or foundation plantings. Tolerates deer and pest pressure.
Growth Habit: Shrub,5-8ft high by 4-6ft wide
Native Origin: Southeast United States
Hardiness Zone: 7-10
Environment Needs: Full Shade, Part Shade
Prefers well-draining, organically rich soil.
Toxic to Humans
Growth Rate: Medium
Maintenance: Protect from winter conditions as Woodland Beauty is not cold hardy. Trim to control height.
A dense, fast-growing evergreen with fragrant white flowers in spring. Excellent for privacy hedges. Grows 10-20 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide, but can be pruned to size. Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Growth Habit: Dense Shrub, Hedge 10-20 ft tall by 15-20ft wide
Native Origin: India and Asia
Hardiness Zone: 7-9
Environmental Needs: Full Sun to Part Shade
Growth Rate: Medium
Maintenance: Plant in well draining soil. Careful not to over prune to avoid leggy growth
Victory White Camellia offers winter-weary gardeners a timely reminder of approaching spring through mid-season blooming from January through March. This vigorous japonica establishes quickly as an effective privacy screen or substantial hedge. Medium-sized, loosely-petaled white flowers with peony-form structure create striking contrast against persistent dark green foliage, providing multi-season ornamental interest. Its rapid growth habit and reliable winter flowering make it an exceptional choice for those seeking substantial landscape structure combined with seasonal color during dormant months.
Growth Habit: Columnar, Shrub, 8-12' tall by 6-10' wide
Native Origin: China, Japan, Korea
Hardiness Zone: 7-9
Environmental Needs: Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or Filtered Sun, All Day Filtered Sun
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Amend planting hole with pine bark soil conditioner substantially improves drainage and root establishment for camellias. This soil modification prevents waterlogging and root rot while creating the acidic, friable medium these acid-loving plants require for vigorous growth. Strategic soil preparation at planting time establishes the foundation for long-term plant health and reduces maintenance demands throughout the specimen's lifespan.
Wart ferns are characterized by their wart-like growths, which give them their common name. Wart ferns are native to various regions across Europe, North America, and Asia, and they thrive in cool, moist environments such as forests, rocky areas, and shaded crevices. Their fronds can reach a height of up to 60 centimeters and feature vibrant green colors. Wart ferns are hardy plants, capable of adapting to different light conditions and growing in various soil types. They are often cultivated as ornamental plants, adding a touch of natural beauty to gardens and indoor spaces.
Growth habit: Cascading, climbing, creeping
Native Origin: Africa, Asia, and Australia
Hardiness zone: 10-11
Environmental Needs: Part Shade/Full shade
Grows best in well-drained, organically rich soil. Water regularly, and once established, this plant is mildly drought-tolerant. Wart ferns propagate through rhizomes and will spread indefinitely. Roots are hairy and adventurous and will naturally climb, making them beautiful house or hanging container plants.
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Pruning is optional as this is a very self-reliant plant. Prune dead or browning fronds in spring as new growths begin to come in. Don’t remove too many fronds at once, as this can shock the plant, causing it to become stressed and susceptible to pests or diseases.
A hardy, evergreen perennial herb with needle-like leaves and a strong, piney flavor. It grows 2-4 feet tall and thrives in full sun with well-drained, slightly dry soil. Perfect for herb gardens, containers, and as a culinary seasoning, rosemary is commonly used in roasts, marinades, and Mediterranean dishes.
It also attracts pollinators and is drought-tolerant once established. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages bushier growth.
Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ (Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower) provide a mix of flower colors including gold, scarlet, orange, rose-red, cream, purple and yellow. Buy three or more plants to get a colorful blend for your garden.
Growth Habit: Bushing, clumping 20-30inches high and wide
Native Origin: Native to Central to South America
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Environmental Needs: Most coneflowers thrive in full sun; some tolerate light shade, especially in hot southern climates.
Deer resistant, drought resistant
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Cut back to the ground, although some stems can be left to provide interesting shapes over winter, especially when frosted. Deadhead spent flower heads to prolong bloom time. In late winter or early spring, cut back dead growth before plants break dormancy.
An evergreen perennial known for its bold, glossy, large, dark green leaves that often feature distinctive, yellow-spotted patterns, resembling a leopard's coat. In the fall, it produces daisy-like yellow flowers that add a burst of color to shady areas. This plant is often used for ground cover or as a striking accent in gardens.
Typically growing to 1-3 feet in height with a spread of 2-3 feet, it has a moderate growth rate and thrives in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Leopard Plant prefers full to partial shade and is ideal for woodland gardens or shady borders, adding both texture and color to low-light spaces.
Growth Habit: Clumping 1-3ft tall by 1-2ft wide
Native Origin: China, Japan, Korea
Hardiness Zone: 7-10
Environmental Needs: Dappled Sunlight, Deep Shade, Part Shade. Farfugium prefers consistent moisture.
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Maintenance: Ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot. Mulch base to retain moisture.
Cerise Charm Loropetalum will keep your yard looking stunning with its year-round burgundy-black leaves and reddish-pink fringe flowers that bloom three out of the four seasons. It is a very versatile plant and can be used in multiple ways around landscaping as accent plants, hedges, foundation plants, or even a replacment for japanese maples in full sun.
Growth Habit: 3-4 ft height and 3-4ft width, compact, well-behaved
Native Origin: China
Hardiness Zone: 7-11
Environment Needs: full sun, provide organically rich, acidic soil, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Pest resistant
deer resistant
drought tolerant
Growth Rate: moderate
Maintenance: After the blooming season, feed with an acid fertiliser. Pruning is not needed aside from occasional shaping.
Cerise Charm Loropetalum will keep your yard looking stunning with its year-round burgundy-black leaves and reddish-pink fringe flowers that bloom three out of the four seasons. It is a very versatile plant and can be used in multiple ways around landscaping as accent plants, hedges, foundation plants, or even a replacment for japanese maples in full sun.
Growth Habit: 3-4 ft height and 3-4ft width, compact, well-behaved
Native Origin: China
Hardiness Zone: 7-11
Environment Needs: full sun, provide organically rich, acidic soil, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Pest resistant
deer resistant
drought tolerant
Growth Rate: moderate
Maintenance: After the blooming season, feed with an acid fertiliser. Pruning is not needed aside from occasional shaping.