Deer Resistant Plants

Living With Deer

Damage to valuable landscape plants tends to increase along with the growing population of white‐tailed deer in rural and suburban areas of Massachusetts. By choosing plants less favored by deer, you might be able reduce some of the impact of browsing, but no plant will resist deer feeding under all conditions. Many variables such as the animals’ experience and health status, weather, and availability of more desirable foods will determine which plants deer choose to eat.

Plants Less Favored by Deer

Protect New Trees + Shrubs

Protect newly planted woody plants with sturdy, wire mesh barriers. If deer pressure is heavy,  leave barriers in place until plants are well established and able to tolerate some browsing. In late winter and early spring, if deer are hungry they will feed readily, with little discrimination, on young trees and shrubs.

Herbaceous Plants to Try

Bulbs: autumn crocus, daffodil, Dutch iris, hyacinth, snowdrop, Siberian squill

Annuals: ageratum, larkspur, marigold, nasturtium, snapdragon, sweet alyssum

Perennials: bleeding heart, purple coneflower, daylily ('Stella de Oro'), coreopsis ('Moonbeam'), foxglove, lavender, lily of the valley, purple fountain grass, Russian sage