Imagine you walk into your garden at dawn but only to find your flowers are destroyed — delicate stems gnawed, buds vanished, and leaves shredded. For gardeners in deer-prone areas, this heartbreak is a recurring nightmare. Then you may look for deer-resistant perennials, which blend beauty with built-in defenses.
These deer-resistant perennials have natural deterrents—pungent scents, fuzzy leaves, or bitter flavors—that make deer think twice before feasting. While no plant is completely immune to a hungry deer, incorporating these resilient options can turn a buffet into a sanctuary of color and texture.
Table of Contents
Deer Resistant Perennials That Bloom All Summer
Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Characteristics: Tough, hairy leaves and an unappealing taste make it generally deer-resistant. It is also drought-tolerant once established.
- Blooms: Daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, yellow, white, and purple appear during summer and attract plenty of pollinators.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun and partial shade, and prefers well-draining, slightly acidic soil.
- Zones: 3-8
Deer Resistant Perennials That Bloom All Summer - Coneflower
Russian Sage (Perovskia)
- Characteristics: Strongly scented leaves deter deer while attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. It has soft, silvery foliage and airy lavender-blue flowers.
- Blooms: Long-lasting blooms from summer into fall.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in hot, dry conditions and full sun.
- Zones: 4-9
Deer Resistant Perennials That Bloom All Summer - Russian Sage
Catmint (Nepeta)
- Characteristics: Its fuzzy, fragrant foliage is detested by deer. It is resilient against deer and drought and blooms repeatedly from late spring through fall with minimal upkeep.
- Blooms: Abundant lavender-blue flowers make it an excellent ground cover or border plant.
- Growing Conditions: Easy to grow in full sun and well-drained soil. Thrives in full sun to part sun.
- Zones: 3-8
Deer Resistant Perennials That Bloom All Summer - Catmint
Yarrow (Achillea)
- Characteristics: Finely textured foliage gives off an herbal scent which helps to deter deer. It is tough, drought-tolerant, and virtually unbothered by deer.
- Blooms: Clusters of tiny flowers in shades of pink, white, red, and yellow appear from late spring to early fall.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in poor soil and requires little care, making it perfect for low-maintenance landscapes. Grows best in full sun.
- Zones: 3-9
Deer Resistant Perennials That Bloom All Summer - Yarrow
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
- Characteristics: Drought tolerance and tough stems make this perennial unappealing to deer while attracting bees and butterflies.
- Blooms: Golden-yellow petals surrounding dark centers create a cheerful, long-blooming display from summer to early fall.
- Growing Conditions: Performs well in poor soil and full sun, thriving with little maintenance.
- Zones: 3-9
Deer Resistant Perennials That Bloom All Summer - Black-Eyed Susan
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)
- Characteristics: The plant is toxic if ingested in large quantities, which deters deer. It has vibrant orange flowers that attract butterflies.
- Blooms: Bright orange flowers bloom from mid to late summer.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.
- Zones: 3-9
Deer Resistant Perennials That Bloom All Summer - Butterfly Weed
Deer Resistant Perennials for Full Sun
Bee Balm (Monarda)
- Characteristics: Minty-scented foliage deters deer.
- Blooms: Vibrant blossoms in summer attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Growing Conditions: Best in full sun to part shade.
- Zones: 4-8
Deer Resistant Perennials for Full Sun - Bee Balm
Lavender
- Characteristics: Fragrant, fuzzy leaves rarely eaten by deer.
- Blooms: Rich violet-purple flowers from early summer into fall.
- Growing Conditions: Drought-tolerant once established, requires full sun.
- Zones: 5-9
Deer Resistant Perennials for Full Sun - Lavender
Salvia
- Characteristics: Fragrant foliage is not preferred by deer.
- Blooms: Blooms around early summer, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Growing Conditions: Drought-tolerant once established, thrives in full sun.
- Zones: 3-8
Deer Resistant Perennials for Full Sun - Salvia
Ornamental Grasses
- Characteristics: Finely textured foliage is unappealing to deer.
- Blooms: Provides shelter for wildlife in fall and winter.
- Growing Conditions: Zone varies by type.
- Zones: Varies
Deer Resistant Perennials for Full Sun - Ornamental Grasses
Spike Speedwell (Veronica)
- Characteristics: Fine foliage and skinny spikes are unappealing to deer.
- Blooms: Vibrant purple, pink, or white flowers from early summer.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in sunny to lightly shaded landscapes.
- Zones: 4-8
Deer Resistant Perennials for Full Sun - Spike Speedwell
False Indigo (Baptisia)
- Characteristics: Vibrant spires of flowers and dense foliage.
- Blooms: Blue, purple, yellow, pink, maroon, cream, and bicolor blooms in late spring to early summer.
- Growing Conditions: Deep tap root makes it drought-tolerant and difficult to transplant.
- Zones: 4-9
Deer Resistant Perennials for Full Sun - False Indigo
Bluestar (Amsonia)
- Characteristics: Finely textured foliage is unappealing to deer.
- Blooms: Unique near-black foliage in spring transitioning to deep green.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun to part shade.
- Zones: 4-9
Deer Resistant Perennials for Full Sun - Bluestar
Ornamental Onion (Allium)
- Characteristics: Whimsical purple ball-shaped blossoms are unappealing to deer.
- Blooms: Blooms from mid to late summer.
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun.
- Zones: 4-8
Deer Resistant Perennials for Full Sun - Ornamental Onion
Deer Resistant Perennials for Shade
Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)
- Characteristics: Shade-loving, deer-resistant perennial with large, heart-shaped dark green or variegated foliage that forms attractive mounds.
- Blooms: Beautiful clusters of small sky-blue flowers that resemble forget-me-nots appear in spring.
- Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil.
- Zones: 3-7
Deer Resistant Perennials for Shade - Brunnera
Lungwort (Pulmonaria selections)
- Characteristics: Silver-spotted green leaves add bold color and texture to the woodland garden. Flowers may be pink, red, purple, or blue and are among the first woodland blooms to appear in spring.
- Blooms: Flowers bloom in spring.
- Growing Conditions: Full to part shade and moist, well-drained soil.
- Zones: 4-8
Deer Resistant Perennials for Shade - Lungwort
Epimedium (Epimedium selections)
- Characteristics: Reliable deer-resistant perennial for the shade garden. Before the leaves are fully expanded in spring, they often bear dainty clusters of small yellow, white, pink, or lilac flowers. Wiry stems support compound leaves that vary in shape, size, and color; they are evergreen in mild climates.
- Blooms: Flowers appear in spring.
- Growing Conditions: Full to part shade and well-drained soil.
- Zones: 4-9, depending on type
Deer Resistant Perennials for Shade - Epimedium
Foamflower (Tiarella)
- Characteristics: They are Shade-loving perennial plants with delicate heart-shaped leaves and frothy white or pink flowers. Deer stay away from foamflowers because they have a bitter taste.
- Blooms: Frothy white or pink flowers.
- Growing Conditions: Requires moist soil that’s rich in nutrients. Occasional watering and fertilization will lead to more bloom production. Can tolerate full shade.
- Zones: 4-9
Deer Resistant Perennials for Shade - Foamflower
Japanese Anemone
- Characteristics: Fall-blooming perennial that bears a profusion of semi-double, bright rose pink flowers. Attracts butterflies and bees but resists deer and rabbits.
- Blooms: Semi-double, bright rose pink flowers in fall.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade.
- Zones: 4-8
Deer Resistant Perennials for Shade - Japanese Anemone
Bellflower
- Characteristics: Exceptionally compact, perfect for tucking into small areas or lining the front of the border. Deer will usually avoid this plant with better food options nearby.
- Blooms: Flowers.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade.
- Zones: 3-8
Deer Resistant Perennials for Shade - Bellflower
Deer Resistant Shrubs and Bushes
Abelia (Abelia mosanensis)
- Characteristics: Fragrant white and pink blossoms in spring and lush green foliage that turns a stunning orange hue in autumn.
- Blooms: White and pink flowers.
- Growing Conditions: Part sun to sun.
- Zones: 4-8
Deer Resistant Shrubs and Bushes - Abelia
Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis)
- Characteristics: Delicate, bell-shaped pink flowers on arching branches.
- Blooms: Pink flowers
- Growing Conditions: Part sun to sun.
- Zones: 4-8
Deer Resistant Shrubs and Bushes - Beautybush
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia x)
- Characteristics: Sterile variety that won't self-sow. Deep pink flowers bloom over an exceptionally long time, from mid-summer into fall.
- Blooms: Deep pink flowers.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun.
- Zones: 5-9
Deer Resistant Shrubs and Bushes - Butterfly Bush
Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
- Characteristics: Deciduous shrub with dazzling blue flowers that bloom from late summer to early fall.
- Blooms: Deep blue flowers.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun.
- Zones: 5-9
Deer Resistant Shrubs and Bushes - Bluebeard
Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa)
- Characteristics: Cheerful yellow blooms and lush green foliage. Blooms non-stop from spring to frost.
- Blooms: Yellow flowers.
- Growing Conditions: Part sun to sun.
- Zones: 2-7
Deer Resistant Shrubs and Bushes - Potentilla
Boxwood (Buxus microphylla)
- Characteristics: Versatile evergreen shrub that adds year-round color, structure, and texture to the landscape. Highly amenable to shearing into formal hedging and topiaries.
- Blooms: Not significant.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun to full shade.
- Zones: 5-9
Deer Resistant Shrubs and Bushes - Boxwood
Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
- Characteristics: Compact, deer-resistant shrub with stunning maroon foliage.
- Blooms: Not significant.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun.
- Zones: 4-8
Deer Resistant Shrubs and Bushes - Barberry
Weigela (Weigela florida)
- Characteristics: Old-fashioned favorite that produces clusters of tubular flowers in spring.
- Blooms: Raspberry-pink flowers.
- Growing Conditions: Full sun.
- Zones: 4-8
Deer Resistant Shrubs and Bushes - Weigela
Quick Questions & Answers About Deer-Resistant Perennials
Having discovered several plants that deer won’t eat, we’ll focus on some specific plants gardeners may be concerned about.
Do deer eat lavender plants?
Deer generally avoid eating lavender plants due to their strong fragrance and fuzzy leaves. However, if food is scarce, deer may still nibble on them.
Do deer eat geraniums?
Dear don’t eat geraniums. These plants are generally deer-resistant due to their strong scent and somewhat fuzzy texture.
Do deer eat hibiscus?
Deer generally do not prefer to eat hibiscus plants. While they might nibble on them if other food sources are scarce, hibiscus is not typically a favorite of deer due to its texture and taste.
Do deer eat coleus?
Yes, deer do eat coleus plants, but they are not a preferred food source.
Do deer eat salvia?
Deer generally do not prefer to eat salvia plants due to their strong scent and somewhat fuzzy texture, which can put off deer.
Do deer eat lantana plants?
Deer don’t eat lantana plants due to their strong scent, rough texture, and mildly toxic properties. Lantana’s aromatic foliage and toxic compounds make it unappealing to deer under normal circumstances.
Do deer eat stonecrop?
Deer don’t eat stonecrop (Sedum) plants. Stonecrop is a type of succulent that deer typically avoid due to its thick, fleshy leaves and somewhat bitter taste.
Do deer eat catmint?
Deer avoid eating catmint (Nepeta). Catmint is considered deer-resistant and can be a good choice for gardens in areas with deer populations.
Do deer eat speedwell?
Dear don't eat speedwell because of its strong scent and fuzzy texture.
Do deer eat rose bushes?
Yes, deer do eat rose bushes. They are particularly fond of the buds, blooms, foliage, and even the thorny canes of rose bushes, especially the new, soft growth where the thorns aren’t as sharp . This can cause significant damage to rose plants.
Do deer eat black-eyed susan?
Dear don’t eat black-eyed Susans. This plant is deer-resistant due to their slightly coarse texture and bitter taste.
Do deer eat rhubarb?
Deer do eat rhubarb plants. Although rhubarb leaves contain toxic oxalic acid, which can be harmful to humans and many animals, deer are known to graze on them, especially when other food sources are scarce.
Do deer eat veronica?
Dear don’t eat veronica. This is because veronica is a hardy perennial with small, often spiky flowers, and its foliage is not a preferred food source for deer.
Conclusion
In summary, it’s smart to incorporate deer-resistant perennials into your garden. This can protect your garden from damage while making you enjoy a beautiful landscape. In this post, we’ve selected more than 25 plants that deer won’t eat. From sunny and shady to dry and moist, they can suit every growing condition. Hopefully, you can cultivate a thriving outdoor space with peace of mind. Happy gardening!
