Are you tired of the deer eating your plants in your garden? Well, I know that it annoyed me, so I decided to find some deer-resistant perennial that will not be as tempting to deer. Of course, these plants will not harm the deer if they eat them, and they still may try, but the plants have a scent that is unappealing to the deer and other wildlife. Typically, these plants will also have a bitter taste or have rough leaves that make them less appealing.
Let’s discuss some of the deer-resistant perennials that you can consider for your garden.
Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Allium is a plant that creates purple pom-pom flowers that grow in clusters. They typically grow in zones four through 10, and they can grow to be about a foot tall. They grow best in full sun, but that can handle growing in partial shade as well. They like slightly acidic soil that drains well.
Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)
The red hot poker is an exotic plant that is perfect for most gardens. It can grow to be five feet tall, and it will thrive in full-sun conditions. They also need to grow in well-drained soil because it is a plant that will not tolerate having wet roots.
Achillea (Yarrow)
Yarrow is a plant that can be seen growing in zones three to nine. It needs full sun and regular water to thrive. It also grows best in well-draining soil, such as sand. This is a plant that spreads quickly, so if you don’t want it to spread too much, plant it inside a pot.
Anemone
If you are looking for a perennial with beautiful flowers to complete your deer-resistant garden, then the anemone is an excellent option. It can be seen growing in hardiness zones four through eight, and the blooms can be seen from late summer until the first frost. They grow best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Euphorbia (Spurge)
This is a plant that can grow to be up to three feet in height. It grows in zones six and up, and it will need partial to full sun to grow. The blooms can be white, pink, or green. It also needs well-drain soil so that it doesn’t succumb to root rot.
Epimedium (Barrenwort)
This is a plant that multiplies, and since it grows more in width than in height, it makes an excellent ground cover. It does not require a lot of sunlight, so it can grow in partial to full shade. It also prefers rich, organic soil that is well-draining to grow.
Delphinium (Larkspur)
Larkspur is a plant that does not take much care to grow. It does well in shady conditions, and it does not require much water to grow. This perennial will grow in most hardiness zones (zones two through 10), and they can easily grow to be more than seven feet in height. See our list of different types of Delphinium.
Alchemilla (Lady’s Mantle)
Lady’s mantle is an easy-to-care-for plant that spreads quickly enough to be a ground cover. It does well in zones three to eight, and it does well in full sun or partial shade. It needs well-draining soil to grow, and it does well in slightly acidic soil.
Hellebore (Lenten Rose)
Hellebore does well in zones four to nine, and it will bloom from February to May. It is about two feet tall with a width of two feet when it is mature. Its flowers are pink, white, and purple. They can grow in full to partial sun and neutral to acidic soil. See the different varieties of Hellebore here.
Artemisia
Artemisia is not a plant that requires a specific type of soil to grow, but it should be well-drained so that the roots do not sit in water. It also will grow best in full sun, but most varieties of this plant can also do well in partial shade.
Astilbe
Seen growing in zones three to nine, the Astilbe is a plant that is great at attracting butterflies to your garden. It has blooms that are red, pink, or white in color. These perennials grow in partial to full sun and in well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Cerastium (Snow in Summer)
Snow in summer is a perennial plant that grows in zones three to seven. It needs to grow in soil that is well-draining and full sun, but it will not do well in hot areas of the country. It tends to grow quickly.
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Foxglove is a perennial that can be found in hardiness zones four to 10. It is a plant that can tolerate most growing conditions, but it will thrive when it is not in full sun all of the time. It also needs well-drained soil so that the roots do not set in moist soil.
Siberian Iris
This is a plant that blooms early in the year, so the pink, blue, and purple blooms will help add color to your garden. It can easily grow to be three feet tall, and they do best in full sun and soil with good drainage.
Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
This is a plant that has plum-colored blooms that can be seen during the early part of the spring. It does not require a lot of care to grow, but this perennial prefers some shade and moist soil to grow. It still needs well-drained soil because the roots cannot sit in water.
Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)
This is a succulent plant that resembles a small rose. Full to partial sun is good for growth, but afternoon sun is ideal in hotter climates. Sometimes, the leaves have red tips, and the flowers can be red or pink. Hens and chicks can grow in zones three to 11.
