Deer Resistant Perennial Plants

  First let me start by saying these are resistant plants not deer proof, there is no such plant that I know of. Deer will try any plant if hungry enough, however it appears that the stronger the scent the more likely they will not sample that plant. Most of these plants the deer may sample but usually they leave them alone.

Anemone–Anemone

Columbine–Aquilegi

Rock Cress–Arabis caucasica

White Mugwort–Artemisia lactiflora

Butterfly Weed–Asclepias

Heartleaf Bergenia–Bergenia

Bellflower–Campanulaspp.

Snow-in-Summer–Cerastium tomentosum

Daisy–Chrysanthemum

Coreopsis–Coreopsis

Pinks–Dianthusspp.

Coneflower–Echinacea purpurea when older, will eat small plants.

Fleabane Daisy–Erigeron hybrids

Joe-Pye Weed–Eupatorium

Cranesbill–Geraniumspp.

Geum–Geum hybrids

Hellebore–Helleborusspp.

Dame’s Rocket–Hesperis matronalis

Hibiscus–Hibiscusspp.

Candytuft–Iberis sempervirens

Iris–Iris

Maltese Cross–Lychnis chalcedonica

Bee Balm–Monarda didym

Peony–Paeonia hybrids

Russian Sage–Perovskia atriplicifolia

Jacob’s Ladder–Polemonium caeruleum

Foam Flower–Tiarella cordifolia

Orange Coneflower–Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii

Salvia–Salviaspp.

Soapwort–Saponaria ocymoides

Sempervivum–Sempervivum

Goldenrod–Solidago hybrids

Speedwell–Veronicaspp.

Spanish Bayonet–Yucca filamentosa

Mints

Lavender

Thyme

Sage

Miscanthus

Yarrow–Achilleaspp.

Monkshood–Aconitum

  Ways to Prevent Deer Damage

  The only sure way to prevent deer from damaging your garden is to have at least a six foot fence around the entire thing. A fence like this would be to much for most people, so the other options are deer deterrents which range from noise, to scents to lights. Some of these I have tried and some I have not.  I will tell you what I have found to work the best for me and then list some of the other things which I have not tried.

  I use a combination of ingredients and make a powder that I sprinkle around my plants. I have read from similar products that are on the market that you can use this once every three weeks or after really heavy rains. I apply this once a week around my plants unless there is a lot of heavy rain and then I reapply when the rain has stopped.

    Ingredients are:

        Blood Meal a 3 lb. bag         

        Ground Clove 1/2 of a larger spice bottle

        Garlic Powder 1/2 of a larger spice bottle

        Ground Pepper 1/2 of a larger can

    Mix well in a large container, sprinkle generously around all your plants. After a certain period of time deer will stay away from an area where they can't find good food, usually this is three weeks. I prefer to sprinkle this mixture throughout the growing season. I'd rather not take the chance of a wandering deer tasting my garden.

  I also have started placing plants that deer don't seem to like around plants that they love. So far I have been lucky with this method. It does require surrounding the plant you are protecting with plants that are a deer deterrent, a type of companion planting if you will.

  Somethings I have heard that are supposed to work are:

  A bar a soap in a stocking hung on the plant.

  Human hair around plants.

  Motion activated noise of some type, when the deer get to close it comes on.

  Flashing lights like the little ones used at Christmas. I have been told it reminds them of eyes.

  Electric fence. I know someone who used this technique with limited results. The deer still got in at times.

  Good luck and if you have any other suggestions please let me know.