Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Saddle River NJ, the Ridgewood blog has assembled a list of Deer Resistance plants and here are some examples of landscape plants that are commonly rated by their deer resistance:

1. Alliums – deer tend to avoid alliums, which include ornamental onions, garlic, and chives.
2. Bee balm – deer tend to avoid the strong scent of bee balm (Monarda).
3. Daffodils – deer generally avoid daffodils due to their toxicity.
4. Ferns – many varieties of ferns are deer-resistant, including ostrich ferns and lady ferns.
5. Lavender – deer tend to avoid the strong scent of lavender.
6. Peonies – deer generally avoid peonies due to their bitterness.
7. Rosemary – deer tend to avoid the strong scent of rosemary.
8. Salvia – deer tend to avoid the strong scent of salvia.
9. Snowdrops – deer generally avoid snowdrops due to their toxicity.
10. Yarrow – deer tend to avoid the strong scent of yarrow.

It’s important to note that no plant is completely deer-proof, as hungry deer may eat anything if food is scarce. Additionally, deer preferences can vary based on factors such as geographic location, time of year, and plant availability. Therefore, it’s best to use a combination of deer-resistant plants, repellents, and fencing to protect your landscape from deer damage.

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We picked this up from the borough of Saddle Rivers municipal website;  The following is a list of landscape plants rated according to their resistance to deer damage. The list was compiled with input from nursery and landscape professionals, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension personnel, and Rutgers Master Gardeners in northern New Jersey.

Realizing that no plant is deer proof, plants in the Rarely Damaged, and Seldom Severely Damaged categories would be best for landscapes prone to deer damage. Plants Occasionally Severely Damaged and Frequently Severely Damaged are often preferred by deer and should only be planted with additional protection such as the use of fencing, repellents, etc. Success of any of these plants in the landscape will depend on local deer populations and weather conditions.

https://njaes.rutgers.edu/deer-resistant-plants/