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
  • Sweetgum - Liquidambar styraciflua

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Trumpet Creeper
  • Virginia Creeper - Parthenocissus quinquifolia

    Type: Vines
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Wax Begonia - Begonia semperflorens

    Type: Annuals
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Western Arborvitae - Thuja plicata

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • White Fir - Abies concolor

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • White Fringe Tree - Chionanthus virginicus

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • White Oak - Quercus alba

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Willows - Salix sp.

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
    Check other rating categories to find additional species or cultivars of this genus.
  • Winged Euonymus - Euonymus alata

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Wintercreeper - Euonymus fortunei

    Type: Groundcovers
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • American Arborvitae - Thuja occidentalis

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Frequently Severely Damaged - D
  • Candy Lily - Pardancanda x norrisii

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Frequently Severely Damaged - D
  • Cherries - Prunus sp.

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Frequently Severely Damaged - D
    Check other rating categories to find additional species or cultivars of this genus.
  • European Mountain Ash - Sorbus aucuparia

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Frequently Severely Damaged - D
  • Evergreen Azaleas - Rhododendron sp.

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Frequently Severely Damaged - D
    Check other rating categories to find additional species or cultivars of this genus.
  • Hardy Geranium - Geranium endressii

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Frequently Severely Damaged - D
  • Hosta
  • Pinxterbloom Azalea - Rhododendron penclymenoides

    Type: Shrubs
    Rating: Frequently Severely Damaged - D
  • Plums - Prunus sp.

    Type: Trees
    Rating: Frequently Severely Damaged - D