Best-Deer Resistant Flowers and Plants to Grow

Common garden verbena is prized by pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, but you shouldn't have to worry about deer eating this plant.8 Tall verbena, (Verbena bonariensis) pictured here, is also deer resistant.9 Verbena varieties are hardy perennials in zones 8 to 11 but are commonly grown as annuals. They produce clusters of colorful flowers that bloom continuously from spring to fall. Deadhead common garden verbena during the growing season to encourage new blooms and extend the blooming season.

Snapdragons are short-lived garden perennials in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, and are grown as cool-weather annuals in other climates. They come in wide varieties and sizes, from a few inches tall to spires approaching four feet tall.

Bee balm is a North American wildflower member of the mint family with bright, vibrant flowers and a long bloom season. Bee balm is a somewhat weedy plant growing up to four feet tall, with downy oval leaves on the undersides. They tend to spread aggressively through underground rhizomes and self-seeding. The flowers look like colorful hairy clusters that attract bees, butterflies, and are a favorite of hummingbirds. However, its scent repels deer.

Native to Europe and Asia, monkshood is a tall herbaceous perennial plant that blooms late in the summer and fall and handles partial shade very well. This slow grower is named for resembling the cowl on a monk's habit. It produces racemes of azure blue, pink, yellow, or white flowers on sturdy, unbranched stems. It needs plenty of water to thrive. This plant is toxic5 and is likely the reason why deer shun it.

The bearded iris (Iris germanica) is one of the most popular irises that is among the easiest to grow. It has sword-like leaves and flowers with spreading or drooping lobes. The bearded iris usually flowers in its first year, preferring well-draining soil and a sunny spot. Its rhizome must be partially exposed to sunlight in order for the plant to flower. These plants are toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses.10 It's likely the flower fragrance and perhaps the sharp foliage that keeps deer away.

What delights the olfactory senses of people is loathed by deer. Both the lavender foliage and blooms emit the sweet perfume so beloved by potpourri makers. In warmer climates, lavender can be grown into fragrant hedges; they struggle a bit in cooler temperatures. In either case, lavender is not a long-lived perennial plant.

On the spring bulb spectrum, daffodils and tulips are on opposite ends. Deer do not care for the daffodil's milky sap, nor do squirrels or rabbits. Daffodils have the added benefit of multiplying over the years, unlike tulips, which tend to dwindle in number each season. New exciting double forms and pinky-salmon colors make daffodils an essential part of any spring deer-proof garden.

Deer seldom browse lanceleaf coreopsis plants; they rarely receive a nibble by passing deer. Coreopsis is easy to grow because it is drought-tolerant and needs no fertilizing. Deadheading spent blooms can encourage more flowers throughout the summer.

Not your average shade garden plant, the corydalis is noteworthy for its beautiful fern-like foliage and long blooming period. Their blooms are yellow or blue. Gardeners in areas with cool summers will have the best luck growing corydalis. Corydalis can become a somewhat aggressive self-sower when planted in favorable conditions.

Coneflower attracts butterflies, nourishes bees and wild birds, self-seeds in a non-aggressive way, and grows in the sun or partial shade. Is there anything this versatile plant cannot do? The new varieties of coneflowers on the market make it a designer's delight. Coneflowers bloom longer than many other perennial plants, making them an excellent choice for perennial gardens. They tolerate heat and drought conditions quite well.