dannyboy602
Well-Known Member
I'm starting this thread for gardeners with deer problems. People who want to start a garden near their home who have deer grazing on their property and aren't sure of what to plant. I've been cataloging plants for some time (mostly in my head) that I know first hand will not be touched. I also want to share the few things I've learned over the years and provide a list that I have collected and add a few plants that other gardeners have provided as well. I also want to give you an off limits list...that is to say...if you plant this you're just wasting your money.
Generally speaking deer will eat almost anything if they are hungry enough. They tend to like soft new growth. Although I have seen them decimate one Azalea and leave another right next to it untouched. The harsher the winter the more inclined they are to graze on plants that usually go unnoticed. So no list is completely deer proof. But some plants are almost a sure bet.
As a rule of thumb they don't like any plant that has a furry, felty feel againgt their snout like Stachys or Lamb's ears. They also shy away from any plant with a strong odor when bruised including Rosemary, Lavander, Sage. That includes any plant in the sage family. As the number of sage family members is a large one just remember that all sages have square stems. As do all members of the mint family. So if you see something you like in the nursery and are concidering it for your garden just look at the stems. If they are square they're probably deer proof. Crush a leaf and smell it. If it has a strong odor it's probably a safe bet. Any plant with "bane" in it's name is a sure thing also.
Weeds in your garden can teach you a lot about what deer won't eat. They avoid bitter dandelions, peppery smartweeds, spicy garlic mustard, sour wild sorrel and pungent spearmint. Deer like a pretty bland diet. So if a plant has a strong taste it's probably deer proof.
I've listed plants in Latin names as I remember some by their Latin and some by their common names. When you have a plant vocabulary of over 1000 it's hard to remember every plant by both.
Deer proof plant families:
Amaryllidaceae
some members of this family include Clivia, Snowdrops, Daffodils, Amaryllis and Lycoris
Anacardiaceae
members incluse Sumac, Smoke bush,
Apocynaceae
members include Amsonia, Annual perriwinkle and perennial perriwinkle
Berberidaceae
members include Barberry and Nandina domestica or heavenly bamboo, Mahonia, Mayapple, Epimedium and Jeffersonia
Betulaceae
members include Alder, birch Hornbeam Corylus or Hazel and Hop Hornbeam
Bignoniaceae
members include Trumpet Vine or Campsis and Catalpa
Campanulaceae
members include Campanula Platycodon
Caprifoliaceae
members include all honeysuckles, both shrubby and the climbing vines, Abelia, and all the Viburnums also Weigela and Sambucus
Caryophyllaceae
members include Cerastium, Dianthus, Arenaria, Gypsophila or baby's Breath, Lychnis, Saponaria and Silene
Compositae
members are easy to spot. they have flowers with a central disc and a ray of petals like Black eyed susans. Too many to mention. here are a few. Achillea, Bellis, Chrysanthemum, Goldenrod Liatris, Jap Thistle.
Convolvulaceae
the morning glory family including Moonflowers and Morning glory vines
Cornacea
the dogwood family. only three members I know are deer proof. Acuba, Bunchberry and all Dogwood trees and shrubs
Cruciferae
1800 genera. too many to mention. many have a peppery aroma. some members are Alyssum, Iberis and Nasturtiums
Cupressaceae
members are trees including the False cypress or Chamaecyparis, Juniperus and the cedar of Lebanon
Eleagnaceae
members include the Russian olive
Ericaceae
most members are off limits to gardeners as Azaleas and Rhodies are in this family. But there are a few the deer won't touch including Leucothoe, Gaultheria and Enkianthus. Also Sourwood or Sorrel tree.
Fagacea
members include Oak, Chestnut and Beech
Hamamelidaceae
members include Sweetgum trees, Parrotia, Witch hazels and Corylopsis
Iridaceae
members include Iris and gladiolus. Also Freesia
Labiatae
the mint family. a large one. almost all are deer proof. including all Salvias and Thymes
Lauraceae
the laurel family. has only 2 members i know of. Lindera or Spicebush and Sassafras
Leguminosae
the pea family. one of the largest in the plant kingdom. many members are deer food. a few are deer proof including Wisteria, Cercis or redbud, Black Locust, Sophora, Laburnum, Broom and baptisia. I'm sure there are more.
Liliaceae
The lily family. some members are deer food like hostas. some that are not are Allium, Liriope, Tricyrtis and Yucca
Magnoliaceae
only two members I know of...the Tulip tree and Magnolia
Moraceae
Cannabis is a member of this family. I have never grown it outdoors and have no experience to share. Other members that will work are Fig trees, Osage orange and Mulberry
Oleaceae
members include Abeliophyllum, Chionanthus, Fraxinux (ash), Privet and Lilac
Papaveraceae
The opiums. natural deer repelants. I think most members would be ok for garden use.
Pinaceae
members include Cedrus, Larix, Spruce and Hemlock
Ranunculaceae
The buttercup family. Mostly poisonous so are good for garden use. members include Aconite, Anemone, Columbine, Clematis, Delphinium, Eranthus and Peony
Rosaceae
Rose family. the fruit trees are deer food. Some members that are not are Alchimilla or Ladie's Mantle, Amelanchier, Cotoneaster, Hawthorn, Photinia and Quince
Saxifragaceae
Astilbe (iffy), Bergenia, deutzia, Heuchera, Hydrangea (iffy), Mock Orange and Tiarella or foam flower
Verbenaceae
members include Caryopteris, Verbena and Vitex or Chaste tree
Vitaceae
members incluse Amelopsis or porclain Berry vine, Cissus or grape ivy, Parthenocissus or virginia creeper, Boston Ivy and Japanese Ivy. Most are noxious weeds but I've planted them in city gardens and seen them grow wild in urban areas. Maybe too wild.
Plants to avoid
Arborvitae
Azalea
Daylily
Eastern red cedar
Fir
Holly
Hosta
Leyland Cypress
Lupins
Mountain laurel
Pansies
Pieris
Rhodies
Spruce except White Spruce and Norway Spruce
Sweet Peas Tea Rose
Tree fruits
Tulips
Yew. All species are poisonous. But the red outside fruit is digested while the seed inside it is passed undigested. They like the new leaves however.
Thats about it. Some of the species I've included come from my own list and some from the lists of Karen Bernard and Jane Pepper, former president of the PA Hort Society. Feel free to include plants you have found to be both deer food or deer proof. And remember, all gardening , like all politics is local. I've included no tropicals or desert plants because I have no knowledge of them.
Generally speaking deer will eat almost anything if they are hungry enough. They tend to like soft new growth. Although I have seen them decimate one Azalea and leave another right next to it untouched. The harsher the winter the more inclined they are to graze on plants that usually go unnoticed. So no list is completely deer proof. But some plants are almost a sure bet.
As a rule of thumb they don't like any plant that has a furry, felty feel againgt their snout like Stachys or Lamb's ears. They also shy away from any plant with a strong odor when bruised including Rosemary, Lavander, Sage. That includes any plant in the sage family. As the number of sage family members is a large one just remember that all sages have square stems. As do all members of the mint family. So if you see something you like in the nursery and are concidering it for your garden just look at the stems. If they are square they're probably deer proof. Crush a leaf and smell it. If it has a strong odor it's probably a safe bet. Any plant with "bane" in it's name is a sure thing also.
Weeds in your garden can teach you a lot about what deer won't eat. They avoid bitter dandelions, peppery smartweeds, spicy garlic mustard, sour wild sorrel and pungent spearmint. Deer like a pretty bland diet. So if a plant has a strong taste it's probably deer proof.
I've listed plants in Latin names as I remember some by their Latin and some by their common names. When you have a plant vocabulary of over 1000 it's hard to remember every plant by both.
Deer proof plant families:
Amaryllidaceae
some members of this family include Clivia, Snowdrops, Daffodils, Amaryllis and Lycoris
Anacardiaceae
members incluse Sumac, Smoke bush,
Apocynaceae
members include Amsonia, Annual perriwinkle and perennial perriwinkle
Berberidaceae
members include Barberry and Nandina domestica or heavenly bamboo, Mahonia, Mayapple, Epimedium and Jeffersonia
Betulaceae
members include Alder, birch Hornbeam Corylus or Hazel and Hop Hornbeam
Bignoniaceae
members include Trumpet Vine or Campsis and Catalpa
Campanulaceae
members include Campanula Platycodon
Caprifoliaceae
members include all honeysuckles, both shrubby and the climbing vines, Abelia, and all the Viburnums also Weigela and Sambucus
Caryophyllaceae
members include Cerastium, Dianthus, Arenaria, Gypsophila or baby's Breath, Lychnis, Saponaria and Silene
Compositae
members are easy to spot. they have flowers with a central disc and a ray of petals like Black eyed susans. Too many to mention. here are a few. Achillea, Bellis, Chrysanthemum, Goldenrod Liatris, Jap Thistle.
Convolvulaceae
the morning glory family including Moonflowers and Morning glory vines
Cornacea
the dogwood family. only three members I know are deer proof. Acuba, Bunchberry and all Dogwood trees and shrubs
Cruciferae
1800 genera. too many to mention. many have a peppery aroma. some members are Alyssum, Iberis and Nasturtiums
Cupressaceae
members are trees including the False cypress or Chamaecyparis, Juniperus and the cedar of Lebanon
Eleagnaceae
members include the Russian olive
Ericaceae
most members are off limits to gardeners as Azaleas and Rhodies are in this family. But there are a few the deer won't touch including Leucothoe, Gaultheria and Enkianthus. Also Sourwood or Sorrel tree.
Fagacea
members include Oak, Chestnut and Beech
Hamamelidaceae
members include Sweetgum trees, Parrotia, Witch hazels and Corylopsis
Iridaceae
members include Iris and gladiolus. Also Freesia
Labiatae
the mint family. a large one. almost all are deer proof. including all Salvias and Thymes
Lauraceae
the laurel family. has only 2 members i know of. Lindera or Spicebush and Sassafras
Leguminosae
the pea family. one of the largest in the plant kingdom. many members are deer food. a few are deer proof including Wisteria, Cercis or redbud, Black Locust, Sophora, Laburnum, Broom and baptisia. I'm sure there are more.
Liliaceae
The lily family. some members are deer food like hostas. some that are not are Allium, Liriope, Tricyrtis and Yucca
Magnoliaceae
only two members I know of...the Tulip tree and Magnolia
Moraceae
Cannabis is a member of this family. I have never grown it outdoors and have no experience to share. Other members that will work are Fig trees, Osage orange and Mulberry
Oleaceae
members include Abeliophyllum, Chionanthus, Fraxinux (ash), Privet and Lilac
Papaveraceae
The opiums. natural deer repelants. I think most members would be ok for garden use.
Pinaceae
members include Cedrus, Larix, Spruce and Hemlock
Ranunculaceae
The buttercup family. Mostly poisonous so are good for garden use. members include Aconite, Anemone, Columbine, Clematis, Delphinium, Eranthus and Peony
Rosaceae
Rose family. the fruit trees are deer food. Some members that are not are Alchimilla or Ladie's Mantle, Amelanchier, Cotoneaster, Hawthorn, Photinia and Quince
Saxifragaceae
Astilbe (iffy), Bergenia, deutzia, Heuchera, Hydrangea (iffy), Mock Orange and Tiarella or foam flower
Verbenaceae
members include Caryopteris, Verbena and Vitex or Chaste tree
Vitaceae
members incluse Amelopsis or porclain Berry vine, Cissus or grape ivy, Parthenocissus or virginia creeper, Boston Ivy and Japanese Ivy. Most are noxious weeds but I've planted them in city gardens and seen them grow wild in urban areas. Maybe too wild.
Plants to avoid
Arborvitae
Azalea
Daylily
Eastern red cedar
Fir
Holly
Hosta
Leyland Cypress
Lupins
Mountain laurel
Pansies
Pieris
Rhodies
Spruce except White Spruce and Norway Spruce
Sweet Peas Tea Rose
Tree fruits
Tulips
Yew. All species are poisonous. But the red outside fruit is digested while the seed inside it is passed undigested. They like the new leaves however.
Thats about it. Some of the species I've included come from my own list and some from the lists of Karen Bernard and Jane Pepper, former president of the PA Hort Society. Feel free to include plants you have found to be both deer food or deer proof. And remember, all gardening , like all politics is local. I've included no tropicals or desert plants because I have no knowledge of them.
