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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 31 results
  • Balloon Flower - Platycodon grandiflorus

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Bellflower - Campanula glomerata

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Blanket Flower
  • Checkermallow - Sidalcia malviflora

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Comfrey - Symphytum officinale

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Daylily - Hemerocallis sp.

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • English Daisy - Bellis perennis

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Fall Mums - Chrysanthemum

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Fleabane - Erigeron sp.

    Type: Perennials
    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
  • Gooseneck Loosestrife - Lysimachia clethroides

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

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

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

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

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Meadowsweet - Filipendula sp.

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C
  • Mountain Bluet - Centaurea montana

    Type: Perennials
    Rating: Occasionally Severely Damaged - C