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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

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Currently showing 527 results
  • Common Sassafras - Sassafras albidurn

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Common Sweetshrub - Calycanthus floridus

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Common Witchhazel - Hamamelis virginiana

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Common Yarrow
  • Coralbells
  • Coralberry - Symphoricarpos x chenaultii

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Corkscrew Willow - Salix matsudana tortuosa

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Cranberry Bush
  • Cranberry Cotoneaster - Cotoneaster apiculatus

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Crape Myrtle
  • Creeping Juniper - Juniperus horizontalis cv.

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
    Check other rating categories to find additional species or cultivars of this genus.
  • Creeping Wintergreen - Gaultheria procumbens

    Type: Groundcovers
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Crocosmia
  • Crocus - Crocus sp.

    Type: Bulbs
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Currant - Ribes sp.

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Cyclamen - Cyclamen sp.

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Dawn Redwood - Metasequoia glyptostroboides

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Delphinium - Delphinium sp.

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Deutzia
  • Dill - Anethumus graveolens

    Type: Annuals
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B