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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Oat Grass | Helictotrichon sempervirens | Ornamental Grasses | A |
| Common Boxwood View photo of Common Boxwood | Buxus sempervirens | Shrubs | A |
| Crown Imperial, Fritilia | Fritilaria imperialis | Bulbs | A |
| Dame's Rocket | Hesperis matronalis | Perennials | A |
| Japanese Blood Grass View photo of Japanese Blood Grass | Imperata cylindrica | Ornamental Grasses | A |
| Moonglow Juniper | Juniperus scopulorum 'Moonglow' | Shrubs | A |
| Paper Birch | Betula papyrifera | Trees | A |
| Prince of Wales Juniper | Juniperus horizontalis 'Prince of Wales' | Shrubs | A |
| Russian Sage View photo of Russian Sage | Perovskio atriplicifolia | Perennials | A |
| Sweet Woodruff View photo of Sweet Woodruff | Galium odoratum (Asperula odorata) | Groundcovers | A |
| Armstrong Juniper | Juniperus chinensis 'Armstrongii' | Shrubs | B |
| Blue Star Juniper | Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' | Shrubs | B |
| Candytuft | Iberis sempervirens | Perennials | B |
| Chinese Juniper (1) | Juniperus chinensis cv. | Shrubs | B |
| Chinese Paper Birch | Betula albo-sinensis | Trees | B |
| Creeping Juniper (1) | Juniperus horizontalis cv. | Shrubs | B |
| Dragon Lady, San Jose Holly | Ilex x aquipernyi | Trees | B |
| Eastern Red Cedar View photo of Eastern Red Cedar | Juniperus virginiana | Trees | B |
| Glory Lily | Gloriosa superba | Bulbs | B |
| Hens and Chickens View photo of Hens and Chickens | Sempervivum sp. | Perennials | B |
| Japanese Garden Juniper | Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' | Shrubs | B |
| Large Periwinkle | Vinca major | Groundcovers | B |
| Mountain Juniper (1) | Juniperus scopulorum cv. | Shrubs | B |
| Paperbark Maple View photo of Paperbark Maple | Acer griseurn | Trees | B |
| Periwinkle | Vinca minor | Groundcovers | B |
| Pfitzer Juniper | Juniperus chinensis 'Pfitzerana' | Shrubs | B |
| Savin/Tam Juniper | Juniperus sabin cv. | Shrubs | B |
| Shiso | Perilla frutescens | Annuals | B |
| Singleseed Juniper (1) | Juniperus squamata cv. | Shrubs | B |
| St. John's Wort View photo of St. John's Wort | Hypericum calycinum | Perennials | B |
| St. John's Wort View photo of St. John's Wort | Hypericum prolificum | Shrubs | B |
| Sweet Pepperbush View photo of Sweet Pepperbush | Clethra sp. | Shrubs | B |
| Youngstown Andorra Juniper | Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown' | Shrubs | B |
| English Daisy | Bellis perennis | Perennials | C |
| Pernyi Holly | Ilex pernyi | Trees | C |
| Persian Lilac | Syringa x persica | Shrubs | C |
| Shasta Daisy | Chrysanthemum superbum | Perennials | C |
| Shore Juniper | Juniperus conferta | Shrubs | C |
| Trumpet Creeper View photo of Trumpet Creeper | Campsis radicans | Vines | C |
| Virginia Creeper | Parthenocissus quinquifolia | Vines | C |
| Wax Begonia | Begonia semperflorens | Annuals | C |
| Wintercreeper | Euonymus fortunei | Groundcovers | C |
| Wintercreeper | Euonymus fortunei | Shrubs | D |
| Wintercreeper | Euonymus fortunei | Vines | D |
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.