LIVING WITH DEER:
PLANTS SUITABLE FOR LANDSCAPING
There are several important sources available online to identify plants that attract or repel deer. The Rutgers University compilation is vast, listing hundreds of plants rated by the frequency of damage caused by deer. Included here are links to lists found on HOUZZ, Better Homes & Gardens and Horticulture Magazines. Compiled by www.ny4wildlife.org.
LEARN ABOUT THE PLANTS THAT REPEL AND ATTRACT DEER. CHOOSE THE ONES FOR YOUR LANDSCAPED AREAS THAT DEER WILL NOT BOTHER!
1. RUTGERS UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE LANDSCAPE PLANTS RATED BY DEER RESISTANCE.
This is directly from the Rutgers University Cooperative Extension website, with a sample of the rated plant listings that are found there. Always make use of this website for its deer-resistance plant ratings! Visit https://njaes.rutgers.edu/deerresistance/ for the complete list.
Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance
The following is a list of landscape plants rated according to their resistance to deer damage. It was compiled with input from nursery and landscape professionals, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension personnel, and Master Gardeners in Northern N.J.
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.
KEY:
A = Rarely Damaged B = Seldom Severely Damaged C = Occasionally Severely Damaged D = Frequently Severely Damaged
Read more at https://njaes.rutgers.edu/deerresistance/.
2. 7 DEER-RESISTANT FLOWERING TREES TO PLANT THIS FALL. (From Houzz)
If you live in a neighborhood with roaming deer, consider these beautiful trees that won’t tempt hungry guests.
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52333795/list/9-deer-resistant-flowering-shrubs-to-plant-this-fall
3. TOP DEER-RESISTANT PLANTS OF THE NORTHEAST. (From Better Homes and Gardens)
If deer treat your yard like a buffet line, try these plants. But keep in mind that deer in your neighborhood may have already developed a taste for some of these plants. Unfortunately, deer do not read lists.
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-by-region/northeast/the-top-deer-resistant-plants-for-the-northeast/
4. 9 DEER-RESISTANT FLOWERING SHRUBS TO PLANT THIS FALL. (From Houzz)
These exquisite shrubs will attract your attention but won’t tempt the deer that roam your neighborhood at night.
5. DEER-RESISTANT SHRUBS (From “Horticulture, The Art and Science of Smart Gardening”)
Question: This past winter the deer ate several of my shrubs that I was told they wouldn’t touch, including hollies and some low roses. Can you recommend some truly deer-resistant shrubs?
Answer: Oh deer. Looking around the yard, it seems that some deer were never told, “You don’t like that plant!”
In truth, there are certain plants that deer prefer over others, but several factors play into what they will munch.
• the severity of the winter
• the availability of other food
• the size of the local deer population (how many are competing for food)
http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/qa/deer-resistant-shrubs