The following is a list of landscape plants rated according to their resistance to deer damage. The list was compiled with input from nursery and landscape professionals, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension personnel, and Rutgers Master Gardeners in northern New Jersey.
Realizing that no plant is deer proof, plants in the Rarely Damaged, and Seldom Severely Damaged categories would be best for landscapes prone to deer damage. Plants Occasionally Severely Damaged and Frequently Severely Damaged are often preferred by deer and should only be planted with additional protection such as the use of fencing, repellents, etc. Success of any of these plants in the landscape will depend on local deer populations and weather conditions.
KEY:
= Rarely Damaged
= Seldom Severely Damaged
= Occasionally Severely Damaged
= Frequently Severely Damaged
| Common Name | Latin Name | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Fern View photo of Christmas Fern | Polystichum arcostichoides | Ferns | A |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea | Ferns | A |
| Hayscented Fern View photo of Hayscented Fern | Dennstaedtia punctilobula | Ferns | A |
| Holly Fern | Cyrtomium falcatum | Ferns | A |
| Japanese Painted Fern View photo of Japanese Painted Fern | Athyrium goeringianum (nipponicum) | Ferns | A |
| New York Fern View photo of New York Fern | Thelyptens noveboracensis | Ferns | A |
| Ostrich Fern | Matteuccia struthiopteris | Ferns | A |
| Royal Fern | Osmunda regalis | Ferns | A |
| Sensitive Fern | Onoclea sensibilis | Ferns | A |
| Wood Fern | Dryopteris marginalis | Ferns | A |
Footnotes
1 Check other rating categories to find additional species or cultivars of this genus.
2 May eat buds.
Credits
Content: Pete Nitzsche, Pedro Perdomo, and David Drake
Photos: Pete Nitzsche
Database Design: Kathy Robinson and Phil Wisneski
Website Design: Phil Wisneski
Special thanks to our cooperators on this project: Helen Heinrich, Certified Landscape Architect; James Messina, Certified Landscape Architect, Landscape Plus; Valerie Sudal, Garden Writer, The Newark Star-Ledger; and numerous landscapers, Master Gardeners, and nurserymen who provided ratings.