Rutgers logo
Cooperative Extension

Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance

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. Download printable list (PDF).

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.

A = Rarely Damaged
B = Seldom Severely Damaged
C = Occasionally Severely Damaged
D = Frequently Severely Damaged

Filter

Currently showing 527 results
  • Blue Oat Grass - Helictotrichon sempervirens

    Type: Ornamental Grasses
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Bluebell - Endymion sp.

    Type: Bulbs
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Bottlebrush Buckeye
  • Broom - Cytisus sp.

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Bugleweed
  • Bush Cinquefoil - Potentilla fruticosa

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Butter & Eggs - Linaria vulgaris

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Buttercup - Ranunculus sp.

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Butterfly Bush
  • Cactus - Cactaceae sp.

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Catmint
  • Christmas Fern
  • Cinnamon Fern - Osmunda cinnamomea

    Type: Ferns
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Clump Bamboo - Fargesia sp.

    Type: Ornamental Grasses
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Common Boxwood
  • Common Foxglove
  • Common Tansy - Tanacetum vulgare

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Corydalis
  • Crown Imperial, Fritilia - Fritilaria imperialis

    Type: Bulbs
    Rating: Rarely Damaged - A
  • Daffodil