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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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  • Fragrant Winterhazel - Corylopsis glabrescens

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Fraser Fir - Abies fraseri

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Garden Lily - Lilium sp.

    Type: Bulbs
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Garden Petunia
  • Geranium
  • Gerbera Daisy - Gerbera jamesonii

    Type: Annuals
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Geum, Avens - Geum sp.

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Globeflower - Trollius sp.

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Goat's Beard - Aruncus sp.

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Goldflame Honeysuckle
  • Gooseneck Loosestrife - Lysimachia clethroides

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Greenspire Littleleaf Linden - Tilia cordata 'Greenspire'

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Hardy Begonia
  • Hardy Geranium - Geranium x cantabrigiense

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Hardy Geranium - Geranium clarkei

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Hardy Geranium - Geranium sanguineum

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Heavenly Bamboo
  • Highbush Blueberry - Vaccinum corymbosum

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Hinoki Cypress - Chamaecyparis obtusa

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Hollyhock - Alcea sp.

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C