Living in an area where deer enter into your yard and eat your favorite plants can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are many beautiful, deer-resistant plants that can help protect your garden while keeping it looking the way you envisioned. In this post, we’ll explore some plant options that deer tend to avoid so you can create a yard that is both attractive and less appealing to unwanted visitors.
Bowles’ Periwinkle (Vinca minor ‘Bowles’)
One of the best groundcovers for shady areas, this plant features large violet-blue, pinwheel-shaped flowers that stand out against glossy, dark green leaves. It can tolerate some sun in cooler northern climates, but in areas with hot summers, it performs best in dappled to deep shade. Its evergreen trailing stems provide year-round interest, making it a great choice for those difficult-to-plant areas, shrub borders, and woodland gardens. It is also a good option for fire scaping landscapes.
Deer typically avoid vinca minor because of its bitter taste and tough, less appealing foliage. However, when food is scarce, deer may still browse on it. For the best results in areas with heavy deer activity, combine vinca with other deer-resistant plants or additional protection methods such as fencing or repellents.
Burkwood Viburnum (Viburnum x Burkwoodii)
Burkwood viburnum is prized for its stunning clusters of pinkish-white spring flowers, which fill the garden with a sweet, spicy fragrance. Its glossy, dark green foliage adds beauty throughout the growing season, while its upright, well-branched growth habit makes it an excellent choice for hedges, screens, or as a striking accent shrub. Depending on the climate, it remains evergreen to semi-evergreen, providing year-round interest.
This versatile shrub can be trained along an arbor or structure, where its tall growth can create a climbing effect. With its fragrant blooms and handsome foliage, Burkwood viburnum brings texture, color, and seasonal interest from early spring through fall.
Burkwood viburnum is generally considered deer resistant, although deer may still browse on it when other food sources are limited. Planting it alongside other deer-resistant plants and using thoughtful garden design can help reduce the chance of damage. With its beautiful blooms, attractive foliage, and hardy nature, Burkwood viburnum makes a great choice for landscapes in areas where deer are a concern.
Fine Line Fern Leaf Buckthorn (Rhamnus Frangula ‘Ron Williams’)
With its delicate, fern-like foliage and narrow columnar growth habit, this plant adds beautiful texture and structure to the landscape. Its foliage turns a bright yellow in fall, bringing seasonal interest and color to the garden. The compact, upright form makes it an excellent choice for narrow hedges, accent plantings, or framing entrances and pathways. This non-invasive cultivar is also a great alternative to older, weedy varieties, offering the same attractive look without the unwanted spread.
Deer typically avoid this plant due to its less appealing foliage, making it a useful option for gardens where browsing is a concern. However, no plant is completely deer-proof, and hungry deer may still sample plants when food is scarce.
