Jeff Goldman & Associates, Inc. - Landscape Management and Consulting Services - Deer Resistant Plants

Jeff Goldman and Associates, Inc. - Deer Resistant Plants

Disclaimer: This list is a compilation of my observations over the years. Keep in mind that Deer can't read and that their feeding patterns are affected by other factors such as:

Loss of Natural Habitat
Presence of Dogs
Extreme cold and / or snow
Hunters (or lack of)

Drought
Overall Deer Population / Competition for food
Other Food Sources Available

Excellent Deer Resistance
(I've never seen any deer damage)

Dwarf Alberta Spruce
Blue Spruce
Cryptomeria
Serbian Spruce
Cedar (Cedrus Sp.)
Artemesia
Osmanthus
Lamb's Ear
Mahonia
Mugo Pine
Russian Sage
Juniper 'Blue Star'
Juniper 'Sargent'
Leatherleaf Viburnum

Boxwood
Blue Atlas Cedar
Crimson Pygmy Barberry
Cephalotaxus (False Yew)
'Gold Mop' Cypress
Southern Magnolia
Lavender
Ornamental Grasses
Pieris
Rhododendron
Japanese Black Pine
White Pine
Juniper 'Procumbens Nana'

Good Deer Resistance
(I've only seen deer damage occur in the worst areas)

Cherry Laurel
Yucca
Japanese Holly
Norway Spruce
Pachysandra

Dwarf Buford Holly
Foster Holly
Camellia
Buddliea
Ligularia

Poor Deer Resistance
(Plants that deer commonly - but not always - feed on)

Nandina
Hinoki Cypress
Liriope
Abelia
Leyland Cypress
'Nellie Stevens' Holly
Spirea

Burning Bush
'Pragense' Viburnum
Aucuba
Juniper 'Blue Pacific'
Forsythia
'Blue Rug' Juniper

Plants that Deer just love to eat

Yews
Hosta
Azaleas
Hydrangea
Sedum
Purple Coneflower
Daylily

'China Girl' Holly
Arborvitae
'Manhatten' Euonymas
Roses
Black - Eyed Susan
'Gateway' Eupatorium
Tulips