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Deer Resistant Plants
Ferns
Very deer resistant*** Usually deer resistant** Can be deer resistant, depends on deer population; try one first*
Athyrium niponicum 'Red Beauty'- Japanese Painted Fern**
Gray-green fronds highlighted with burgundy red stems and veins
Matteuccia struthioptreris - Ostrich fern**
Finely dissected, medium green, vegetative fronds that exhibit the feathery appearance of long ostrich plumes.
Polystichum munitum - Western Sword Fern**
Hardy native offers superb texture with glossy, leathery, toothed, dark green foliage.
Polystichum setiferum - Divisilobum***
Soft Shield fern is finely divided fronds taper to 2′ long.
Grasses & Grass-like plants
Very deer resistant*** Usually deer resistant** Can be deer resistant, depends on deer population; try one first*
Calamagrostis x acutiflora - Karl Foerster**
Upright flowering stems increase the height to 6 ft when they first appear in late spring or early summer.
Carex hachijoensis - Evergold
Foliage color richer in shade than in sun.
Hakonechloa macra- Japanese Forest grass***
good for moist, shady
Helictotrichon sempervirens- Blue Oat grass***
evergreen, tough
Juncus spp.- Rush***
many native, wet sites
Miscanthus sinensis- Maiden grass***
description here
Pennisetum spp.- Fountain grass***
description here
Phormium spp.- New Zealand Flax***
place in protected location
Perennials
Very deer resistant*** usually deer resistant** can be deer resistant, depends on deer population; try one first*
Acanthus spinosus-Bear's Breeches*
dramatic, spined 3' tall flower spikes; part shade
Achillea millefolium & cultivars- Yarrow**
many colors available
Aconitum spp.- Monkshood***
poisonous
Agastache spp.- Anise Hyssop, Licorice or Hummingbird Mint***
fragrant foliage, hummingbird magnets, long bloom
Allium spp.- Garlic & onion relatives**
ball shaped flowers, strong smell
Ajuga repens- Carpet Bugle**
vigorous shade groundcover
Amsonia spp.- Bluestar***
prairie native, latex sap in stems, amazing gold fall color
Anemone spp.- Anemone/Windflower*
poisonous, but will eat flowers in bad areas
Armeria maritima- Sea thrift*
may eat flowers
Artemisia spp. - Wormwood***
aromatic foliage
Asarum caudatum - Wild ginger**
foliage is aromatic when crushed, native for dry shade
Asclepias spp. - Milkweed***
milky sap in stems, attracts butterflies/bees
Aster oblongifolius - Aromatic aster***
description here
Bergenia spp. - heartleaf bergenia/Pigsqueak***
large glossy foliage, spring blooms
Brunnera macrophylla - Siberian bugloss***
stiff hairs cover large leaves, shade, many silvery forms
Campanula spp. - Bellflower**
once naturalized, groundcover & hairy species are best
Centranthus ruber - Jupiter's beard***
description here
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides - Dwarf (Hardy) Plumbago**
late summer bloom & fall color
Coreopsis spp. - Tickseed**
C. verticilata needle-like leaf is best, long bloom
Crocosmia spp. - Crocosmia/Montbreita*
may eat flowers
Delosperma spp. - Hardy ice plant**
tighter foliage is more reliable
Dianthus spp. - carnations/pinks***
aromatic foliage, drought tolerant groundcovers
Dicentra spp. - Bleeding Heart**
poisonous, but sometimes eaten
Digitalis spp. - Foxglove**
poisonous, but sometimes eaten
Echinacea spp. - Coneflower*
may eat flower/petals
Echinops spp. - Globe thistle***
spiny leaves/flowers
Epimedium spp. - Bishop's hat*
good for dry shade
Erigeron glaucus - Seaside Daisy**
description here
Erigeron karvinskianus - Fleabane/Santa Barbara Daisy***
long blooming groundcover, drought tolerant
Eriophyllum lanatum - Oregon Sunshine**
depends on the local deer population
Erodium spp. - Heronsbill*
long blooming, ground hugging, rock garden perennials
Eryngium spp. - Sea Holly***
Spiny flowers & sometimes leaves too
Erysimum 'Bowles Mauve' - Purple Wallflower***
long blooming but short lived
Euphorbia spp. - Spurge***
toxic sap in stems, mostly evergreen species
Gaillardia - Blanket flower**
may eat flowers
Gaura lindheimeri - Gaura**
may eat eat in bad areas
Geranium cantabrigiense - Geranium/cranesbill***
scented leaves, great groundcover even in dry shade
Glaucium flavum - Horned Poppy***
fabulous silver foliage, horn shaped seed pods, drought tolerant
Glumicalyx goseloides - Nodding Chocolate Flower***
orange flowers smell like chocolate, evergreen in mild winters
Helleborus spp - Lenten Rose***
poisonous, winter bloom, part-full shade
Hemerocallis - Daylily*
may eat flowers
Hypericum calycinum - St. John's Wort***
aggressive groundcover, erosion control
Iris spp. - Iris***
Lots of native species
Kniphofia spp.- Red Hot Poker**
Occasionally flowers are eaten
Lamium maculatum- Dead nettle**
silvery variegated foliage illuminates shady areas
Leucanthemum X superbum- Shasta Daisy**
may eat foliage after bloom finishes
Limonium sp. - Sea Statice**
may eat flowers & nibble foliage in heavy deer areas
Marrubium rotundifolium - Silverheels Horehound***
description here
Monarda spp. - Bee Balm**
fragrant foliage
Monardella odoratissima - Coyote mint***
native; long summer bloom
Muhlenbeckia complexa - Wire vine***
description here
Narcissus - Daffodils***
one of the only reliable bulbs
Nepeta spp. - Catmint***
aromatic foliage, long bloom, great selection
Oenothera spp. - Evening primrose, sundrops**
may eat when new, very drought tolerant
Opuntia sp. - Prickly pear cactus***
description here
Origanum spp. - Oregano~ edible & ornamental***
fragrant foliage, many cool flowering forms
Pachysandra**
great for dry shade
Penstamon pinifolius - Pineleaf Beardtongue**
adaptable rock garden plant, needle-like leaves
Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Blue Sage***
aromatic foliage
Phlomis spp. -Jerusalem Sage***
large, fuzzy leaves
Perennials cont.
Very deer resistant*** usually deer resistant** can be deer resistant, depends on deer population; try one first*
Phlox subulata - Creeping phlox***
needle like foliage
Pratia peduncularis - Blue star creeper***
tight groundcover
Pterocephalus depressus - Moroccan pincushion***
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Pulmonaria spp. - Lungwort**
leaves are covered in prickly hairs, early bloom
Rubus calycinoides (pentalobus) - Creeping bramble***
tough leaves, pricky stems
Rudbeckia spp. - Black eyed susan*
may eat flowers
Salvia spp. & hardy hybrids - Sage***
smellier foliage is best
Santolina chamaecyparissus, virens - Lavender Cotton***
aromatic, evergreen foliage, button-like flower
Schizostylis coccinea- Crimson river lily**
best in mild areas
Sempervivum spp.- Hens & chicks, houseleek**
less browsed upon than sedums
Senecio grayi- Bush senecio***
add description here
Sisyrinchium sp.-Blue-eyed/Yellow-eyed grass**
add description here
Solidago 'Fireworks'- 'Fireworks' goldenrod**
may browse
Stachys spp. -Lamb's ear***
fuzzy foliage
Teucrium spp. -Germander***
aromatic, evergreen foliage, bee attractors
Thymus spp. -Thyme~creeping & upright***
aromatic foliage and edible
Verbena rigida - Rigid verbena**
will munch in bad areas
Veronica spp. - Speedwell*
groundcover species are best, need protection while young
Vinca minor - Common periwinkle***
aggressive groundcover, part-shade erosion control
Zauschneria - California fuschia**
may eat, best fall bloom, colonizer
Shrubs
Very deer resistant*** usually deer resistant** can be deer resistant, depends on deer population; try one first*
Arctostaphlos spp. - Manzanita- esp. 'Austin Griffiths', 'Pacific Mist'**
better once established, new growth often chewed, need protection when young
Aucuba japonica - Spotted laurel***
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Baccharis pilularis - Coyote bush***
Native into CA, super tough
Berberis spp. -Barberry~ deciduous & evergreen species***
Thorny stems, colorful in spring & fall
Buddleia hybrids (sterile) -Butterfly bush**
when mature; *when young, not so resistant
Buxus spp. -Boxwood***
classic for low hedges and formal gardens
Callistemon spp. - hardy bottlebrush ~ alpine species***
needle-like pokey foliage
Calluna vulgaris - Scotch heather*
may eat when new, late summer bloom
Calycanthus spp. - Spice bush**
protect when small
Carpenteria 'Elizabeth' - Bush anemone**
add description here
Caryopteris x clandonensis - Bluebeard, Blue Mist Spirea***
great choice! reliable, long summer bloom, attracts pollinators
Ceanothus spp - California lilac, Blue blossom**
cultivars with holly-like leaves are most reliable (like 'blue jeans' & 'emily brown'), needs protection when young
Cephalotaxus harringtonia - Japanese Plum Yew**
pokey needle-like foliage, still testing
Chaenomeles speciosa - Flowering quince**
Thorny types only, early spring blooms
Choisya ternata - Mexican orange***
Fragrant white blooms, evergreen
Choisya x dewitteana - 'Aztec pearl', mexican oange (cutleaf)***
Similar to choisya ternata, but more compact, heat/sun/drought tolerant & hardier; needs good drainage & summer heat
Cistus spp. - Rockrose*
The more resinous/sticky varieties are best (like 'blanche', 'sunset'), better once established
Cotinus spp. - Smoke bush*
may eat when new or any low down growth, protect until large and established
Cotoneaster spp. - Prostrate bearberry**
the smaller leaved/tightly prostrate forms seem best
Daphne spp. - Daphne***
poisonous, fragrant blooms, likes good drainage
Distylium**
protect when young
Elaeagnus spp. - Silverberry**
Evergreen, vigorous growth, good hedge, thorny varieties e.g. : Hosobu Fukurin) are best
Erica spp. - Mediterranean heath varieties**
Most common are winter blooming
Euonymous alatus 'compactus' - Compact burning bush*
better once established
Fatsia japonica- Japanese Aralia**
add description here
Feijoa sellowiana- Pineapple Guava**
may chew tips when new
Forsythia x intermedia - Forsythia hybrids**
older established plants, protect when young
Genista spp. - Yellow broom (groundcovers)***
gold blooms in spring
Hebe cupressoides, salicornioides - Whipcord Hebe***
Cyress-like fragrant foliage
Hibiscus syriacus - Rose of Sharon*
may eat when new or any low down growth, better when established
Holodiscus discolor - Oceanspray**
add description here
Hypericum 'Sunburst' - 'Sunburst' St. John's Wort bush**
once established
Ilex spp.- Holly**
The spinier, leathery leaves are more reliable
Juniperus - Juniper***
add description here
Kalmia latifolia - Mountain laurel**
poisonous, may still eat, rich/acidic soil
Lavandula spp. - Lavender***
fragrant foliage
Leptospermum humifusum - Alpine Tea Tree***
aromatic foliage
Leucothoe**
add description here
Loropetalum chinensis - Fringe flower*
only in mild deer areas or protected spots
Mahonia spp. - Oregon Grape***
native, leathery/holly-like leaves
Myrica californica - Pacific Wax Myrtle**
Coastal native, fragrant foliage, large shrub/small tree, protect when young
Myrtus communis 'Compacta' & 'Tarrentina' - Common Myrtle***
Fragrant foliage, starry white flowers, put in hot/protected sites (zone 8)
Nandina domestica - Heavenly Bamboo*
only in mild deer deer areas or larger, established plants
Nerium oleander - Oleander***
highly poisonous, extremely drought tolerant, put in protected site
Osmanthus heterophyllus - Holly-leaf osmanthus**
many cultivars, one with spinier leaves are more reliable
Ozothamnus spp. - Ozothamnus**
evergreen, interesting foliage and flowers
Philadelphus spp. - Mock orange*
larger/established plants only
Picea spp. (dwarf varieties) - Spruce (shrubby cultivars)***
pokey needles
Pieris - Andromeda or Lily of the Valley shrub***
poisonous, many cultivars
Pinus mugo pumilo - Dwarf mugo pine***
poisonous, many cultivars
Pittosporum - Pittosporum**
add description here
Podocarpus - Yew pine***
add description here
Potentilla spp. - Cinquefoil**
Species with tiny hairy leaves are the most reliable, best in mild areas
Prunus lusitanica - Portuguese laurel**
good hedge plant, the most reliable Laurel species
Punica - Pomegranate**
Protect when young
Pyracantha - Firethorn**
thorny & tough
Rhamnus californica 'Eve Case' - Eve Case California Coffeeberry**
thorny & tough
Rhododendron spp. - scented varieties like 'PJM' are best**
mildly poisonous, but may still eat
Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low'- 'Gro-Low' Fragrant Sumac**
better when established
Ribes spp.- Flowering currant (native, pink)*
will eat especially when small, thorny species like R. roezli are more reliable
Rosa rugosa (& native rose species)- Rugosa rose, Sea tomato*
very thorny, showy hips, may still eat - use only in mild areas
Rosmarinus officianalis- Rosemary***
fragrant foilage
Sarcococca spp - Sweetbox***
leathery foliage, fragrant winter blooms, will tolerate deep shade
Spirea spp. - Spirea**
best in mild areas, often with nice foliage color, protect when young
Shrubs Cont.
Very deer resistant*** usually deer resistant** can be deer resistant, depends on deer population; try one first*
Symphoricarpos albus - Snow Berry*
native, thicket forming, better when established
Teucrium fruticans - Bush Germander***
aromatic foliage
Umbellularia californica - California Bay***
aromatic, leathery foliage, slow growing- can eventually attain tree size
Viburnum bodnantense - 'Pink Dawn'***
most reliable species, aromatic foliage, good choice for a lare shrub
Vitex agnus-castus - Chaste Tree***
aromatic foliage, purple flowers in summer
Trees
Very deer resistant*** usually deer resistant** can be deer resistant, depends on deer population; try one first*
Abies pinsapo 'Glauca' - Blue Spanish Fir***
short, pokey needles
Abies concolor - White fir***
thick, flat needles
Acer palmatum - green japanese maple**
protect lower branches & trunk when young
Albizia julibrissin - Mimosa, silk tree*
small leaves, will eatt lower branches
Araucaria - Monkey Puzzle***
sharply pointed leaves
Cedrus Spp. - Cedar***
pokey needles, usually the most reliable conifer
Cercis spp- Redbud*
j C. occidentalis and C. reniformis are more reliable
Chamaerops humilis - Mediterranean fan palm***
barbed branches, fiberous leaves
Chitalpa tashkentensis - Chitalpa**
long summer bloom, very drought tolerant
Chilopsis linearis - Desert Willow***
aromatic, narrow leaves, long/showy summer bloom
Crataegus spp. - Hawthorne***
species w/ large thorns are best
Ginko biloba - Maidenhair Tree**
leathery leaves
Gleditsia triacanthos - Honey Locust**
leathery leaves
Heptacodium miconioides - Seven Sons Flower**
good results in mild areas, late summer bloom, peeling bark
Ficus varieties - Fig Tree**
aromatic leaves, may still eat lower growth
Juniperus varieties - Juniper***
Lagerstroemia spp. - Crape Myrtle**
will eat when new/low growth, best as tee form or limbed up
Laurus nobilis - Bay Laurel **
aromatic foliage used in cooking, evergreen
Magnolia spp. - Magnolia***
evergreen species are more reliable
Parrotia - Persian Ironwood**
great fall color
Picea spp. - Spruce***
the pokier the needles the better (like Colorado Blue Spruce)
Pinus spp. - Pine***
Pseudotsuga menziesii - Douglas Fir***
Quercus spp. - Oak*
Species with pokier, barbed leaves are more reliable, may eat lower growth when young
Sequoiadendron spp. - Giant Sequoia, Coast Redwood***
Thuja 'Green Giant' - 'Green Giant' Arborvitae**
protect when young
Trachycarpus fortunei - Windmill Fan Palm***
Zelkova **
good street tree, great fall color
Vines
Very deer resistant*** usually deer resistant** can be deer resistant, depends on deer population; try one first*
Akebia quinata - Akebia vine***
reliable in mild areas
Bignonia capreolata - Cross vine*
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Campsis radicans - Trumpet Vine*
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Clematis armandii - Evergreen Clematis*
leathery leaves
Holboelia coriocea - China Blue Vine*
leathery leaves
Humulus lupilus - Hops***
stiff hairs coat leaves and stems
Lonicera spp. - Honeysuckle**
usually reliable
Parthenocissus spp. - Virginia Creeper, Boston Ivy, Silver Vein Creeper*
Trachelospermum asiaticum - Asiatic Jasmine***
Trachelospermum jasminoides- Star Jasmine*
protect when young
Wisteria spp.- Wisteria*
will eat, but grows fast enough to overcome
*our deer resistant list continues to be a work in progress, so let us know what has & hasn't worked for you and we'll incorporate it into our list