Nothing crushes a gardener’s spirit quite like seeing your beautiful perennials munched on by deer. One morning your garden is lush and full, and the next it’s a collection of sad, chewed-up stems. It’s a familiar story for anyone living where deer roam.
While no flower is completely deer-proof, a surprising number are considered deer-resistant. Certain plants are a major turn-off for deer, whether it’s because of a strong scent, a fuzzy leaf texture, or because they’re outright poisonous. The key is to find the right plants for your garden’s specific conditions.
To make it easier, here’s a roundup of 20 top-notch deer-resistant perennials perfect for all kinds of climates and gardens, whether you have sun-drenched spots or shady corners. You’ll also find tips on how to best place them to protect your entire garden.
Do You Need Deer Resistant Perennials?
Let’s be real, for some gardeners, deer resistance is a non-issue. If you live in a dense urban area, you probably don’t have deer wandering into your yard. They prefer fresh environments with plenty of green space, a mix of open fields and forests to feel at home. They aren’t fans of very hot or dry climates.
If your home is in the city or a packed suburb, deer likely aren’t on your radar. But the moment you move into the urban fringe, you can bet they’re nearby, especially across most central and northern US states, Canada, and Europe.
You might be thinking a fence is the solution. A tall, sturdy fence that fully encloses your property will certainly do the trick. However, many rural gardens aren’t completely sealed off, and deer are masters at finding small openings. They are also excellent climbers. A steep slope that deters human visitors is just a minor obstacle for a determined deer.
Now that you know whether you need to plan for deer, let’s explore how to use these special perennials effectively.
Choosing Perennial Plants To keep deer out of your garden
We can sort deer-resistant perennials into two categories based on how they function. The first group includes plants that deer will simply pass over. They won’t eat them, but these plants won’t actively scare them away either.
The second group consists of perennials that deer find genuinely repulsive or even dangerous. These are the plants that will protect their neighbors. Plants that are toxic will literally frighten deer off, potentially making them avoid your garden entirely. Similarly, plants with strong scents can act as a powerful deterrent, especially when planted in groups.
You don’t have to fill your garden exclusively with deer-resistant varieties. The best strategy is to mix them in with your other plants. This way, if deer do visit, they won’t decimate your entire flower bed. By using enough deterrent plants, you can make your garden an uninviting place. A deer might come by once, nibble a few leaves, and then decide to look elsewhere for its next meal, leaving you in peace.
20 Best Deer-Resistant Perennial Plants And Flowers for Your Garden
So, what’s on this list? Get ready for 20 beautiful and easy-to-grow perennials that deer typically ignore or actively avoid.
Deer Resistant Flowering Perennials For Shade
Let’s begin with deer-resistant perennials for shade for a couple of key reasons. First, shady gardens often rely heavily on perennials, as very few annuals thrive in partial or full shade. This makes it crucial to use perennials to keep deer away.
Second, even the sunniest gardens usually have some less-than-bright areas. So, this list of shade-loving, deer-resistant plants might be even more useful than the one for sun lovers. When we say “shade,” we mean partial or full shade, which is far more common than you might think. Partial shade means an area gets three to six hours of bright, but not necessarily direct, sunlight daily. Full shade spots, with less than three hours of bright light, are quite rare.
With that cleared up, let’s jump into our top deer-resistant perennials for shade.
1: Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)
Columbines are perfect for shady spots under trees, and deer want nothing to do with them. They do, however, attract a crowd of hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Their uniquely shaped flowers come in a rainbow of colors, from white and pink to blue and purple, including some striking bicolor varieties. Even the elegant foliage is a treat for the eyes. As a common garden flower, there are countless cultivars to choose from.
Surprise the deer in your shady spots with columbines; they won’t touch a single leaf or flower. A fantastic bonus is that columbines naturalize with ease, quickly creating a carpet of deer-resistant beauty under your trees.
Hardiness: USDA zones 3 to 8, depending on the variety.
Sunlight requirements: Prefers partial or dappled shade. Can handle full sun in cooler climates with consistent moisture.
Size: Reaches 1 to 2 feet in height and spread (30 to 60 cm).
Soil requirements: Highly adaptable to well-drained but moist loam, chalk, clay, or sand with a pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
2: Abelia (Abelia spp.)
Abelia is a gorgeous perennial flowering shrub that deer absolutely detest. Its bell-shaped flowers provide color for months, blooming from summer until the first frost in shades of pink, white, or lavender. The small, oval, glossy leaves are beautiful in their own right. The ‘Edward Goucher’ cultivar is a standout, earning the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society for its lavender flowers against dark green and bronze foliage.
If you’re looking for a deer-proof hedge, Abelia is an ideal choice. It has thick foliage, is easy to prune, and thrives in part shade. In cooler regions, it can even handle full sun. This makes Abelia the shrub you want, but deer definitely don’t.
Hardiness: USDA zones 6 to 9.
Sunlight requirements: Prefers partial shade but tolerates full sun.
Size: Grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide (90 to 150 cm).
Soil requirements: Needs moist but well-drained loam, chalk, or sand-based soil with a pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
3: Dead Nettle (Lamium spp.)
Dead nettle is a versatile plant; you can eat it raw in salads, it has medicinal properties, and it thrives in deep shade. Most importantly, no deer will touch it. Like many medicinal plants, it seems to naturally repel them. You can find wild varieties as well as cultivated ones like ‘Purple Dragon’, with its silver-white and green leaves and magenta flowers, or the white-flowered ‘White Nancy’. Another great option is ‘Elizabeth de Haas’, which boasts large pink blossoms.
You can let dead nettle naturalize in even the darkest corners of your garden. It’s the perfect perennial for keeping deer out of those forgotten spots where they might sneak in unnoticed.
Hardiness: Typically USDA zones 4 to 8; natural species can handle colder zones.
Sunlight requirements: Partial shade or even full shade.
Size: Up to 8 inches tall (20 cm) with a spread of 2 feet (60 cm).
Soil requirements: Adaptable to any well-drained loam, clay, chalk, or sand with a pH between slightly acidic and slightly alkaline. It is also drought resistant.
4: Dutchman’s Breeches (Decentra cucullaria)
Dutchman’s breeches have a unique shape that deer just don’t appreciate, which is a shame because they’re so distinctive. The flowers look like something out of a fairy tale, perhaps a damsel’s hat or, as the name suggests, a pair of breeches. Whatever you see in them, they are certainly unusual. This plant is also a bit of a shapeshifter; its leaves disappear shortly after the blooms fade, only to return the following spring.
If you’re searching for an original-looking flowering plant for a shady spot, Dutchman’s breeches should be at the top of your list.
Hardiness: USDA zones 3 to 7.
Sunlight requirements: Partial shade or full shade.
Size: Reaches up to 1 foot in height and spread (30 cm).
Soil requirements: Prefers well-drained but moist loam, clay, or chalk with a pH from slightly alkaline to neutral.
5: Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina)
Lamb’s ears are just too fuzzy for a deer’s palate. The name is spot on; the leaves of this small plant are long like ears, with a silver-blue hue and a thick, soft, wool-like texture. It spreads quickly, making it an excellent ground cover. You can enjoy the beautiful, soft carpet it creates without ever worrying about deer.
This plant is incredibly self-sufficient. Once established, you can basically forget about it, and the good news is, the deer will too.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4 to 7.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun or part shade.
Size: Grows 12 to 18 inches tall (30 to 45 cm) and up to 12 inches wide (30 cm).
Soil requirements: Thrives in well-drained loam, chalk, and sand-based soil with a pH from slightly alkaline to slightly acidic.
6: Lantern Rose (Helleborus orientalis)
Lantern rose is a truly stunning plant that blooms when most others are dormant, yet deer will still walk right by it, even when food is scarce. It’s one of the earliest bloomers, showing off its flowers in winter and early spring. Both the flowers and leaves are wonderful, and the color palette is impressive. Lantern rose is known for its unusual shades, like deep maroon or a mix of green and purple.
If you want spectacular flowers when the rest of the garden is asleep, and you don’t want deer to ruin the show, lantern roses are the perfect choice. Plus, they naturalize very easily.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4 to 9.
Sunlight requirements: Partial shade is ideal; it grows well under trees.
Size: Reaches 1 to 2 feet in height and spread (30 to 60 cm).
Soil requirements: Needs well-drained loam, clay, or sand-based soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
7: ‘Jack Frost’ Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’)
‘Jack Frost’ brunnera is a lovely perennial with beautiful, lush foliage that creates an excellent ground cover, but it’s completely loathsome to deer. The sky-blue flowers are small but incredibly pretty, adding a charming, child-like touch in the spring. They look like tiny eyes floating above the fresh, vibrant leaves.
This brunnera is perfect for those out-of-the-way spots in your garden, even in full shade. These are exactly the places deer are most likely to explore.
Hardiness: USDA zones 3 to 9.
Sunlight requirements: Partial shade or full shade.
Size: Grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide (30 to 60 cm).
Soil requirements: Adaptable to well-drained loam, clay, chalk, or sand-based soil with a pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
8: Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
Jack in the pulpit has a look that resembles a cobra’s head, which might be why deer won’t touch it. Of course, that’s just a joke; they avoid it simply because they don’t like it. But the resemblance to the poisonous Asian snake is uncanny, and the beautiful stripes of light green and near-black make it even more striking.
This plant is an excellent choice for a deer deterrent in a shady area near your home. It’s far too beautiful to be hidden away in the back of the garden.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4 to 9.
Sunlight requirements: Partial shade or full shade.
Size: Reaches 1 to 2 feet in height and spread (30 to 60 cm).
Soil requirements: Prefers well-drained loam, clay, or sand-based soil with an acidic pH.
Deer-Resistant Perennials For Sun
If your garden is blessed with full-sun spots, you’re a lucky gardener indeed, but deer can still be a problem. The great news is that there are quite a few perennials that adore sunny conditions and that deer won’t even consider touching.
Keep in mind that “full sun” doesn’t require 12 hours of intense tropical sunlight. It simply means your garden gets more than six hours of bright light on an average day. When you think about it, that’s not too difficult to achieve.
Now, let’s dive into our shortlist of deer-resistant perennials for sun. Ready? Here we go!
9: Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Lavender is an all-time favorite plant for many gardeners, but deer strongly disagree. The beautiful fragrance that people love is completely disgusting to them. You can enjoy the wonderful lavender, purple, white, or magenta blooms for months, and your only visitors will be butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Lavender is one of those aromatic herbs that can deter deer from your garden altogether. It will fill your space with amazing colors and its signature scent, which is exactly what deer can’t stand.
Hardiness: USDA zones 5 to 9.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun.
Soil requirements: Needs well-drained loam, clay, or sand-based soil with a pH from slightly alkaline to slightly acidic, but neutral is preferred. It is drought resistant and tolerates rocky soil.
10: Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)
The bearded iris is a stunning, sun-loving flowering plant, but it’s also poisonous, and deer are well aware of this fact. They will never touch any part of it. The blue or green blade-shaped leaves are safe, as are the showy flowers, no matter their color. And the color options are vast, covering every shade of the rainbow from white to nearly black-purple.
Bearded iris is the perfect plant to place in borders and flower beds to send a clear message to deer: stay away.
Hardiness: USDA zones 6 to 9.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun.
Size: Grows 3 to 4 feet tall (90 to 120 cm) with a 2-foot spread (60 cm).
Soil requirements: Prefers well-drained loam or sandy loam but will adapt to clay. It is drought resistant and can handle a pH range from slightly acidic to fairly alkaline.
11: Yarrow (Achillea spp.)
Yarrow is the perfect choice if you want generous blooms of yellow, red, pink, magenta, or orange flowers that deer find unattractive and foul-smelling. This vigorous plant has a wild, natural look and is a magnet for butterflies and bees, but deer dislike both its scent and its texture.
For this reason, yarrow is an excellent option for large borders or prairie-style plantings that you also want to function as “deer barriers.”
Hardiness: USDA zones 3 to 8.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun.
Size: Can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide (90 cm).
Soil requirements: Thrives in well-drained loam, chalk, or sand-based soil with a pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
12: Sunset Muskmallow (Abelmoschus manihot)
If you’re looking for a showy, exotic-looking flower for your patio or front garden that screams, “Deer keep clear,” then meet the sunset muskmallow. Its large, pale lemon-yellow flowers are fan-shaped and look a bit like hibiscus blossoms. They can be up to 6 inches across (15 cm) and grow on beautiful bushy clumps of green foliage.
This is not a cold-hardy plant, so it can only be grown as a perennial in hotter climates. But don’t worry if that’s not your situation; you can still enjoy it as an annual in colder regions.
Hardiness: USDA zones 8 to 10.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun.
Size: Reaches up to 6 feet tall (1.8 meters) with a 3-foot spread (90 cm).
Soil requirements: Needs well-drained but moist loam, clay, or sand-based soil with a pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
13: White Fir (Abies concolor)
For an evergreen, fragrant plant that deer can’t stomach, consider the white fir. This beautiful conifer comes in many varieties, all with attractive foliage that can be green, blue, or silver and stays on through the winter. It is a very low-maintenance plant, so once it’s established, you won’t need to spend much time caring for it.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4 to 7.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun; some species can tolerate partial shade.
Size: Varies greatly by variety. The smallest, Abies concolor ‘Piggelmee’, is only 1 foot tall (30 cm) and 2 feet wide (60 cm), while larger varieties can reach 30 feet tall (9 meters) and 15 feet wide (4.5 meters).
Soil requirements: Prefers well-drained and fertile loam, clay, or sandy soil with a pH from acidic to neutral.
14: African Lily (Agapanthus spp.)
When thinking of a deer-free front garden or patio, the African lily immediately springs to mind. Its beautiful, globular flower clusters are large and showy, reaching up to a foot in diameter (30 cm). They typically come in shades of blue to violet, but white and pink varieties are also available. The long, tall leaves will shine in the sun long after the blooms have faded, and deer don’t like them either.
Of all the full-sun deer-resistant perennials, the African lily is one of the few that works well in both formal and informal garden settings.
Hardiness: USDA zones 8 to 11.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun or partial shade.
Size: Grows up to 4 feet tall (120 cm) with a 2-foot spread (60 cm).
Soil requirements: Adaptable to well-drained loam, clay, chalk, or sand-based soil with a pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
15: Aloe (Aaloe spp.)
Did you know that most aloe species are disgusting to deer? It’s true. The famous and soothing Aloe vera, the fiery torch aloe (Aloe arborescens), and even the multicolored Aloe capitata var. quartzicola with its pink, aquamarine, and blue leaves are all stunning plants that deer find completely unappetizing.
Aloe is a sun-loving plant with many dimensions. It can grow in open gardens and flower beds, but it also thrives in containers on patios. No matter where you plant it, it’s always a stunning addition.
Hardiness: Typically USDA zones 9 to 12 (check the specific variety).
Sunlight requirements: Full sun.
Size: The smallest varieties are around 2 feet tall and wide (60 cm), while large ones can reach 7 feet tall (2.1 meters) and 10 feet wide (3 meters).
Soil requirements: Prefers well-drained loam or sandy soil, but large varieties can tolerate clay. The pH can range from fairly acidic to slightly alkaline. It is also drought resistant.
16: Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeria spp.)
Peruvian lilies come in countless colors, and deer seem to be “blind” to all of them. For no clear reason, deer simply ignore these flowers, while pollinators absolutely love them. This means you can fill your flower beds and borders with their warm, vibrant colors and combinations without a single worry.
The Peruvian lily is a front-garden type of flower. It’s showy, very decorative, and perfect for borders in full view. It’s also a highly sought-after cut flower.
Hardiness: USDA zones 5 to 9.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun or light shade.
Size: Grows up to 3 feet tall and wide (90 cm).
Soil requirements: It is adaptable to well-drained loam, clay, chalk, or sand-based soil with a pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
17: White Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana)
White sage is actually related to mugwort and wormwood, not the culinary sage you’re thinking of. These deer-repelling herbs contain strong active ingredients used in healing, and that’s precisely what deer dislike. It will fill your borders with aromatic silver leaves, and in the summer, you’ll see yellow flowers at the tips. The ‘Valerie Finnis’ variety has even earned the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
White sage is excellent for wild-looking gardens, fragrant gardens, and natural borders. It is also well-suited for coastal and Mediterranean gardens. If you want deer to keep their distance, grow it in your wild meadow, as this plant actively deters them.
Hardiness: USDA zones 4 to 9.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun.
Size: Grows up to 2 feet tall and wide (60 cm).
Soil requirements: Needs well-drained loam, chalk, or sand-based soil with a pH from slightly alkaline to slightly acidic.
18: Agave (Agave spp.)
For a “living sculpture” in your garden that deer will treat with total respect, choose from one of the many agave varieties. These striking succulent perennials, with their long, shiny leaves in shades of green, blue, yellow, white, or variegated patterns, are not afraid of deer. Some, like the psychedelic ‘Blue Glove’ or the unusual octopus agave (Agave vilmoriniana), look like they belong on another planet. Deer will walk by them as if they were precious statues in a museum.
The variety of agaves is vast, from small plants that fit in a container to true giants. In hot climates like the Mediterranean, they are even used as sculptural hedges to keep deer away. These plants will sting you with their tips and cut you deeply with their leaf edges if you try to pass through them. Trust me, the pain of an agave sting is intense and lasts for days.
Hardiness: Usually USDA zones 8 to 10, depending on the species.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun.
Size: Ranges from 1 to 40 feet tall (30 cm to 12 meters) and 2 to 20 feet wide (60 cm to 6 meters).
Soil requirements: Prefers well-drained loam or sandy loam, even if not very fertile, with a pH between slightly acidic and neutral. It is drought resistant.
19: African Daisy (Osteopsermum spp.)
Another perfect full-sun, deer-resistant candidate for showy flower beds, borders, or containers is the African daisy. This flowering perennial, with its large, vibrant, and brightly colored flowers, is becoming a sensation thanks to its long bloom time, its vitality, and the fact that it’s so easy to grow. And the best part? Deer can’t stand it. The range of colors is just splendid, from the copper-orange ‘Serenity Bronze’ to the rose and white ‘Serenity Pink Magic’, there’s a variety for every garden palette.
The African daisy is a plant you’ll want in a visible part of your garden. It puts on a fantastic show in pots on patios, and a front garden would be its ideal setting.
Hardiness: USDA zones 10 to 11.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun.
Size: Grows up to 2 feet tall and wide (60 cm).
Soil requirements: Thrives in well-drained loam, chalk, or sand-based soil with a pH ranging from neutral to slightly alkaline. It is drought resistant.
20: Yellow Grove Bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata)
How about a deer-proof bamboo grove or even a bamboo hedge that deer can’t get through? Yellow grove bamboo features attractive golden stems and green leaves. It grows fast and thick, making it an excellent choice for blocking off large areas. Plant it at the back of your garden where deer tend to enter, and you’ll soon have a living wall to keep them out. As a bonus, bamboo offers many other advantages and is a highly renewable material.
Yellow grove bamboo is perfect for large-scale solutions, which is often what’s needed to deal with deer. It can grow into a small, tall forest in just a few months. It’s so beautiful that it has earned the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Hardiness: USDA zones 5 to 11.
Sunlight requirements: Full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade.
Size: Can reach up to 25 feet tall (7.5 meters) and 15 feet wide (4.5 meters) within a year.
Soil requirements: Needs well-drained, moist loam or chalk. The pH can range from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
Perennials Can Really Last Years, Only Without Deer!
A perennial that falls victim to a “deer attack” will struggle to be a true perennial. At the very least, it will suffer, and in many cases, you might lose your beloved plant for good. But now, you don’t have to panic anymore. You’ve discovered some fantastic perennials that are totally immune to deer, and even some that actively keep them at a distance. Whether your garden has lots of sun, plenty of shade, or a mix of both, you can now choose the perfect plants to protect your space.
