The Best Deer-Resistant Plants to Add to Your Landscape

Deer damage is one of the most common frustrations for home gardeners. While no plant is completely deer proof, choosing the right plants can significantly reduce browsing and protect your landscape long term.

Although Cropley’s Garden Center is closed for the season, winter is the perfect time to plan ahead. Learning which plants deer tend to avoid allows you to design a smarter, more resilient landscape before spring planting begins.

Deer rely heavily on scent and taste when feeding. Plants with strong fragrances, fuzzy leaves, bitter sap, or coarse textures are far less appealing to them.

By building your landscape around these traits, you can naturally discourage browsing without relying solely on sprays or fencing.

Popular Deer-Resistant Plants to Consider

Lavender
Highly fragrant and drought tolerant, lavender is one of the most reliable plants deer tend to avoid.

Boxwood
A classic foundation shrub with a scent and texture that deer typically leave alone.

Russian Sage
This airy perennial offers color and movement while resisting deer due to its strong aroma.

Yarrow
A tough, adaptable perennial with bitter foliage that deer usually skip.

Daffodils
One of the most dependable deer-resistant bulbs thanks to their toxic properties.

Catmint
Low maintenance, aromatic, and long blooming, catmint is a strong choice for deer-prone areas.

Ornamental Grasses
Many grasses are unappealing to deer and add structure, texture, and winter interest to landscapes.

Smart Landscape Planning Reduces Damage

Deer resistance works best when plants are placed thoughtfully. Mixing deer-resistant plants throughout the landscape rather than isolating them helps reduce temptation.

Planning now allows you to:

• Identify high-traffic deer areas

• Choose plants with proven resistance

• Balance beauty with practicality

• Reduce reliance on deterrent products

Winter planning leads to fewer disappointments once the growing season begins.

Closed for the Season, Planning for Success

While Cropley’s Garden Center is closed for the season, now is the ideal time to evaluate your landscape and identify areas where deer damage has been a problem.

With a plan in place, you’ll be ready to select deer-resistant plants that fit your space, style, and conditions when spring arrives.

We look forward to helping you build a landscape that’s both beautiful and resilient in the seasons ahead.