Creating Deer-Resistant Landscaping

If you’ve ever stepped outside to admire your garden only to find your favorite plants chewed down overnight, you’re not alone. Deer can be a major challenge for gardeners, especially in suburban and rural areas. While no plant is completely deer-proof, some are far less appealing to these hungry visitors.

By strategically selecting plants with strong fragrances, tough textures, and natural deterrents, you can protect your landscape while maintaining a beautiful, thriving garden. Let’s explore some of the best deer-resistant plant options and smart design strategies to keep your yard intact.

Why Deer Eat Your Plants

Deer are natural herbivores, constantly searching for accessible food sources—especially when their usual supply is scarce. Our gardens often provide a convenient buffet, particularly during harsh weather or when habitat disruption limits their options. However, deer don’t eat just anything at random; their browsing habits are influenced by hunger, availability, and the changing seasons.

Here’s why your yard might be a target:

Tender, new growth is the most tempting, making spring and early summer high-risk seasons.
Overpopulation and drought can push deer to consume plants they’d typically ignore.
Fewer predators in residential areas encourage deer to graze in open spaces.
Some plants are irresistible—hostas are like "deer lettuce," and tulips are "deer lollipops."

To protect your landscape, focus on plants that deer naturally avoid due to their scent, texture, or taste. So don’t plant the following plants without some kind of protection because they are deer favorites! Deer love these plants because they’re tender, nutrient-rich, and easy to nibble down to the ground (or, in the case of arborvitae, stripped bare up to deer head height!

Deer-Resistant Plants: What Works Best?

Reasons Why Deer Avoid Fragrant Plants:

Overpowering Their Sense of Smell – Deer have up to 297 million olfactory receptors (compared to about 5-6 million in humans), making them highly sensitive to strong odors. Strongly scented plants can overwhelm their senses, making them uncomfortable and less likely to browse.
Associating Scents with Danger – Many strong-smelling plants, like mint and foxglove have natural compounds that can signal to deer that they are unpalatable or even toxic.
Masking Other Scents – Strong plant aromas can interfere with their ability to detect predators, making them uneasy in areas where such plants are dominant.
Unpleasant Taste – Many strong-smelling plants also have bitter, resinous, or astringent compounds, making them taste unpleasant or even mildly irritating.

This natural aversion is why gardeners use fragrant herbs and flowers like those above to help deter deer from eating their landscapes. You get to enjoy the fragrance while keeping deer away. Some examples are: Lavender, Russian Sage, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Bee Balm, Catmint, Alliums, Hyssop, Lavender Cotton, Mock Orange, and Lilac.

Reasons why deer avoid certain textures:

Fuzzy or Hairy Leaves - Can feel irritating or dry in a deer’s mouth. (Example: Lamb’s Ear, Yarrow)
Spiny or Thorny Plants - Can injure a deer’s soft lips. (Example: Barberry, Roses)
Leathery, Waxy, or Tough Leaves - Hard to chew and digest. (Example: Boxwood, Viburnum)
Stringy Plants - Difficult to break down. (Example: Ornamental Grasses, Yucca)
Sticky or Resinous Plants - Can coat a deer’s mount unpleasantly. (Example: Pine, Sage)

Unlike soft, tender leaves that are easy to chew, these textures can be too unappealing to deer, causing them to avoid them unless food is extremely scarce.

Strategic Landscaping to Deter Deer

Even if you plant deer-resistant varieties, you may need additional strategies to protect your landscape. Here are some tips:

1. Layering & Smart Placement

Surround vulnerable plants with deer-resistant varieties.
Use hedges or thorny plants as natural barriers.

2. Physical Barriers

Fencing should be at least 7-8 feet high to effectively keep deer out. (This may be restricted by city ordinances.)
Tree wraps and netting can protect young trees and shrubs.
Black pipe tree protectors can help keep male deer from rubbing their antlers against young trees to remove the velvet layer.

3. Repellents & Scare Tactics

Commercial repellents (or homemade ones using garlic, eggs, or hot pepper) can discourage deer. (My parents swear by blood meal powder! They were the only ones in the neighborhood to have tulips when they kept them surrounded by it!)
Motion-activated sprinklers can startle deer and keep them moving. (Although deer have been known to learn the patterns!)
Switch up deterrents frequently so deer don’t adapt.

4. Seasonal Considerations

Winter protection is crucial—hungry deer will eat plants they normally avoid. You may not notice as much interest in the warmer months.

While deer can be persistent, choosing the right plants and implementing smart landscaping techniques can help you reduce damage and maintain a thriving, beautiful garden.

Want a detailed list of deer-resistant plants to help plan your landscape? Visit this link for a fact sheet from USU Extension!