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
  • Doublefile Viburnum
  • Douglas Fir - Pseudotsuga menziesii

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Downy Serviceberry - Amelanchier arborea

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Dragon Lady, San Jose Holly - Ilex x aquipernyi

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Drooping Sedge - Carex pendula

    Type: Ornamental Grasses
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Dwarf Balsam Fir - Abies balsamea

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Dwarf Mondo Grass - Ophiopogon japonicus

    Type: Ornamental Grasses
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Eastern Red Cedar
  • Eastern White Pine - Pinus strobus

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Elephant Ear
  • English Hawthorn - Crataegus laevigata

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • English Holly
  • European Ash - Fraxinus excelsior

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • European Beech - Fagus sylvatica

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • European White Birch - Betula pendula

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Feverfew
  • Firethorn - Pyracantha coccinea

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Foam Flower
  • Forget-Me-Not - Myosotis alpestris

    Type: Biennials
    Rating: Seldom Severely Damaged - B
  • Forsythia