Guide to Deer-Resistant Plants
Although deer are beautiful creatures, we’d prefer that they stay out of our plants in Seneca, South Carolina. Deer can ruin a garden, which can be very upsetting after you’ve worked hard to prepare your garden in the spring. Luckily, there are ways you can discourage deer from eating your plants.
Follow our tips for creating a deer-resistant garden and for encouraging Bambi to find food somewhere other than your outdoor spaces. First, though, let’s be clear on what “deer resistant” means.
What does “deer resistant” mean?
Deer resistance refers to how much deer don’t like something. Some plants are highly deer resistant, meaning that deer probably won’t eat that plant. Other plants have low deer resistance, meaning that deer love to munch on them.
There is a common misconception that “deer resistant” means “deer proof.” But no plant is 100% deer proof. Deer will eat almost anything if they get hungry enough. They simply have a pecking order of what food they want to eat first–very akin to how many human toddlers prefer to eat dessert first and save their vegetables for last when eating dinner.
So, deer resistance is a matter of degrees and probability. You can put the odds in your favor (and your garden’s favor!) by adding plants that deer dislike in your landscaping. Also, you can learn about what plants are highly deer resistant, which plants have good deer resistance, and which plants are fairly deer resistant.
Characteristics of Plants with High Deer Resistance
In general, deer dislike plants that have the following characteristics:
Thorns
Prickly or hairy leaves
Toxic leaves or stems
Prickly stems
Pungent scents
Strong tastes
Sap that is thick and latex-like
Luckily, there is a wide range of deer-resistant plants. Here are some suggestions for different levels of deer-resistant plants. Plants native to the Carolinas are starred.
Highly Deer-Resistant Plants
Chaste tree
Deodar cedar
Boxwood
Sea oats *
Creeping thyme
Adam’s Needle *
Good Deer-Resistant Plants
Wax myrtle *
Gardenia
Carolina jessamine *
Mahonia
Winter Daphne
Yaupon holly *
Nandina
Tea olive (especially the false hollies)
Fairly Deer-Resistant Plants
Butterfly bush
Loropetalum
Abelia
American wisteria *
Trumpet vine *
St. John’s Wort *
Some flowering plants and perennials that have high deer resistance are:
Lenten rose
Corsican mint
Catmint
Rosemary
Thyme
Lamb’s ear
Pachysandra
Most ferns
Other Ways to Keep Deer Away
In addition to choosing deer-resistant plants, you can keep deer away from your garden by using these three main deer repelling tactics.
Include Scare Tactics in Your Garden Decor
Deer don’t like noise or anything that surprises them. So, try including chimes, sprinklers, flashing lights, and ultrasonic repellers in your garden. Just keep in mind that deer can get used to sounds, so unpleasant noises are more short-term fixes than long-term solutions.
Use Repellents
Repellents often come in ready-to-go sprays, concentrates, or granules. These emit scents that are unpleasant to deer. Some scents include peppermint, putrescent eggs, and hot pepper.
Liquid deer repellents need to be reapplied periodically and after any rain. In addition to several other deer repellents, we have Liquid Fence in stock at Head-Lee Nursery, which is a great way to repel deer (and rabbits!) without harming your plants.
Install Fencing
Fencing is probably the most effective way to keep deer out of your garden. Fencing can be costly since you need high fences to stop deer from jumping over the fence and into your garden. Some fences need to be at least ten feet tall to keep deer out. However, some people find that a simple hot wire positioned relatively low to the ground is enough to keep deer out of their Seneca gardens.
Reach Out For Deer-Resistant Plants and Supplies
If you want deer-resistant plants and supplies, then come by Head-Lee Nursery. We have the highest quality plants in Seneca, South Carolina, and our garden center's knowledgeable staff loves helping customers. Together, we’ll make sure that deer stay out of your garden.
We have over 40 years of experience, and we’re deeply rooted in the Seneca gardening community. Whether you’re a gardening expert or a gardening beginner, we have something for everyone and we’d love to help make your gardening ideas bloom.
