Deer will be the bane of many gardeners’ existences. For good reason, too — it’s a terrible feeling to wake up in the morning and find nothing but stalks and dirt where a perfect garden.
But before you’re tempted to give up gardening completely, consider planting a couple of deer-resistant blossoms to shield your delicate plantings. Plants considered deer resistant also tend to be rabbit and squirrel resistant, too.
Deer resistant doesn’t mean deerproof — it means that somebody, somewhere discovered that deer didn’t consume these plants. But there is no guarantee. The reality isthat deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough — but they will often prevent the flavor and feel of certain plants. Here are some of my go-to blossoms when I know deer could pose a problem.
Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting
Nasturtium
(Tropaeolum)
Nasturtium is an edible flower, typically yellow, orange or reddish in colour. While we adore it in our salads, deer aren’t really fans of this colorful blossom. Plant it alongside herbs along with other edibles to try to keep deer at bay.
USDA zones: two to 11 (find your zone)
moderate requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate
Size: 1 foot to 10 feet tall and 1 foot to 3 feet wide
Kim Gamel
Globe Amaranth
(Gomphrena globosa)
Gomphrena has electric-purple blossoms which make it a great thriller plant in container gardens.
USDA zones: two to 11
Light demand: Full sun
Waterrequirement: Moderate
Size: 1 foot to two feet tall and 6 to 12 inches wide
Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting
Marigold
(Tagetes patula)
Marigold is a cheerful summer annual that can keep pests — including deer — from the tomatoes and other edibles.
USDA zones: two to 11
Light demand: Full sun
Waterrequirement: Moderate
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall and 6 to 9 inches wide
Missouri Botanical Garden
Angelonia
(Angelonia angustifolia)
Angelonia is among my favourite summer annuals because of its ability to resist heat and humidity.
USDA zones: 9 to 11
Light demand: Full sun
Waterrequirement: Moderate
Size: 9 to 18 inches tall and wide
Missouri Botanical Garden
Ageratum
(Ageratum houstonianum)
Ageraturm comes in many different blues and seems terrific paired with whites and yellows. This cheerful blossom can shield itself and neighboring plants from insects, also is toxic to grazing animals.
USDA zones: two to 11
Light demand: Full sun to partial shade
Waterrequirement: Moderate
Size: 1 foot to two1/2 feet tall and 6 to 18 inches wide
Belle Terre Landscapes
Lantana
(Lantana camara)
Lantana is just another nonstop performer that prefers hot and dry conditions. It comes in a monitoring or mounding form, making it quite flexible in containers. Like Ageratum, Lantana may be toxic to grazing animals.
USDA zones: 10 into 11
Light demand: Full sun
Waterrequirement: Moderate
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 foot to 3 feet wide
Kim Gamel
Perilla
(Perilla ‘Magilla’)
Perilla is grown for its striking green, pink and magenta foliage and looks great in shady areas.
USDA zones: two to 11
Light demand: Full sun to partial shade
Waterrequirement: Moderate
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
More blooms: Get more planting thoughts in the blossoms section