Deer Resistant Plant List

Use this handy list to help you choose plants that deer usually don’t find appetizing in the landscape.

Keep in mind: No plant is absolutely guaranteed to be deer proof! If deer are hungry enough, they’ll eat anything — even plants they don’t like — especially in the winter when food sources are scarce. The plants below are not usually a deer’s top choice.

Make sure you’re not planting a buffet of deer favorites in your landscape! Deer show a particular preference for narrow-leafed evergreens, especially arborvitae and fir. They also love tender, green plants like hostas, daylilies, and English ivy. You might also want to employ some other strategies in addition to deer-resistant plant choices.

BULBSHERBS
AlliumMarjoram
DaffodilsMints
GarlicOregano
IrisThyme
OnionsRosemary

Shrubs

Alpine CurrantAustrian Copper RoseBig Western Sage
Boulder RaspberryChokecherryCommon Hackberry
Common JuniperCreeping MahoniaCurl-leaf Mountain Mahogany
EuonymusFernbushFragrant Sumac
Golden CurrantHancock CoralberryLeadplant
LilacsMountain NinebarkNanking Cherry
Oregon Grape HollyPersian Yellow RosePotentilla
PyracanthaQuinceRabbitbrush
Red Twig DogwoodRose of Sharon (Althea)Santolina
Silver BuffaloberrySnowberrySpirea

Perennials

Alpine CurrantEuphorbiaLily of the ValleySalvia
Apache PlumeFlaxMexican Hat ConeflowerSedum
Basket of GoldFoxglovePenstemonShasta Daisy
Bleeding HeartGlobe ThistlePeonySoapwort
Chocolate FlowerGoldenrodPoker PlantSnowdrops
ClematisHoneysucklePoppiesSnow in Summer
ConeflowerLambs EarPrarie ZinnaVirginia Creeper
Creeping PhloxLavenderPrickly Pear Western White Clematis
DianthusLenten Rose (Hellebore)Purple Prarie CloverYarrows
DelphiniumLiatrisRussian SageYucca

Trees

Colorado SpruceHoneylocust
Concolor FirLodgepole Pine
Douglas FirPinyon Pine
Gambel’s OakRocky Mountain Maple