Deterring Deer
Go away!
How to Deter Deer
They're beautiful and peaceful... but deer can also destroy the garden you worked so hard to grow. How do you keep deer from eating your plants? Here are some all natural ways you can discourage deer from making a buffet out of your landscape.
Video: How to Keep Deer Out of Your Garden
What Kind of Plants Do Deer Usually Avoid?
Keep in mind that hungry
deer will eat almost anything, so no plant is completely deer-proof. BUT there
are some plants they do not prefer. Deer will usually avoid plants with:
- Strong odors
- Prickly or rough foliage or plants with thorns
- Fuzzy, waxy, or hairy foliage
- Bitter tastes or poisonous sap
Add Another Layer of Protection
- Let your dog tag along
while you garden. The lingering smell of a dog may discourage deer from
entering your yard.
- Use motion-activated
lights or sprinklers to startle the deer into running away.
- Add wind chimes or bang
some pots together when you see them to scare them off. Empty tin cans on
a string that can clang together in the breeze may also work.
- String some fishing line
around your garden beds about 3 feet from the ground to confuse the deer.
- Use repellants on your
desirable plants (see products below)
Annuals
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Season of Interest |
| Ageratum | Ageratum houstonianum | Late Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Snapdragon | Antirrhinum majus | Fall/Spring |
| Begonia | Begonia semperflorens | Early Summer to Frost |
| Calendula, Pot Marigold | Calendula officinalis | Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Ornamental Peppers | Capsicum species | Summer/Fall |
| Vinca, Annual Periwinkle | Catharanthus spp. | Early Summer to Frost |
| Celosia | Celosia spp. | Summer/Early Fall |
| Dusty Miller | Centaurea cineraria | Mid Summer |
| Cleome | Cleome hassleriana | Early Summer to Frost |
| Cosmos | Cosmos bipinnatus | Early Summer to Frost |
| Curry Plant | Helichrysum angustifolium | Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Polka Dot Plant | Hypoestes phyllostachya | Summer/Early Fall |
| Lantana | Lantana spp. | Late Spring to Frost |
| Alyssum | Lobularia spp. | Early Summer/Fall |
| Stock | Matthiola incana | Spring/Summer |
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | Early Summer to Frost |
| Pentas | Pentas lanceolata | Summer |
| Parsley | Petroselinum crispum | Summer |
| Petunias | Petunia species | Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Swedish Ivy | Plectranthus spp. | Spring/Summer |
| Scarlet Sage | Salvia coccinea | Summer/Fall |
| Mealycup Sage | Salvia farinacea | Early Summer to Frost |
| Annual Salvia | Salvia spp. | Late Spring/Early Summer |
| Coleus | Solenostemon scutellariodes | Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Marigold | Tagetes spp. | Late Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Verbena | Verbena x hybrida | Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Zinnias | Zinnia species | Late Spring to Frost |
Herbaceous Perennials & Bulbs
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Season of Interest |
| Yarrow | Achillea filipendulina | Summer |
| African Lily | Agapanthus spp. | Summer |
| Anise Hyssop | Agastache spp. | Mid Summer/Fall |
| Allium | Allium spp. | Early Summer |
| Elephant Ears | Alocasia spp./ Colocasia spp. | Late Spring/Early Fall |
| Blue Star | Amsonia species | Spring |
| Columbine | Aquilegia spp. | Spring |
| Wormwood | Artemesia spp. | Summer |
| Tarragon | Artemisia dracunculus | Summer |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa | Summer |
| Cast Iron Plant | Aspidistra elatior | Spring/Summer |
| Aster | Aster spp. | Late Summer/Fall |
| Astilbe | Astilbe spp. | Summer |
| False Indigo | Baptisia australis | Spring |
| Coreopsis | Coreopsis species and hybrids | Early Summer |
| Crinum Lily | Crinum spp. | Spring/Summer |
| Crocus | Crocus spp. | Late Winter/Early Spring |
| Dahlia | Dahlia spp. | Early Summer to Frost |
| Delphinium | Delphinium spp. | Spring |
| Dianthus | Dianthus gratianopolitanus | Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Pinks | Dianthus spp. | Late Spring/Summer |
| Foxglove | Digitalis spp. | Late Spring |
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea | Summer |
| Joe Pye Weed | Eupatorium dubium | Mid Summer/Fall |
| Blanket Flower | Gaillardia x grandiflora | Summer |
| Sweet Woodruff | Galium odoratum (Asperula odorata) | Spring |
| Gaura | Gaura lindheimeri | Early Summer |
| Perennial Sunflower | Helianthus spp. | Late Summer/Fall |
| Lenten Rose | Helleborus spp. | Late Winter/Early Spring |
| Coralbells, Alumroot | Heuchera species and hybrids | Year Round |
| Amaryllis | Hippeastrum spp. | Winter/Spring |
| Candytuft | Iberis spp. | Spring/Early Summer |
| Iris | Iris spp. | Spring/Summer |
| Lantana | Lantana spp. | Late Spring to Frost |
| Lavender | Lavandula spp. | Early Spring |
| Cardinal Flower | Lobelia spp. | Late Summer |
| Lupine | Lupinus spp. | Late Spring/Mid Summer |
| Mint | Mentha spp. | Summer |
| Beebalm | Monarda didyma | Summer |
| Forget-Me-Not | Myosotis spp. | Summer |
| Daffodils | Narcissus spp. | Late Winter/Early Spring |
| Catmint | Nepeta spp. | Late Spring/Early Summer |
| Prickly Pear Cactus | Opuntia species | Late Spring/Summer |
| Oregano | Oreganum vulgare | Summer |
| Marjoram | Origanum marjorana | Summer |
| Peony | Paeonia spp. | Spring |
| Russian Sage | Perovskia atriplicifolia | Late Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Balloon Flower | Platycodon grandiflorus | Summer |
| Primrose | Primula spp. | Late Winter/Spring |
| Rosemary | Rosmarinus officinalis | Spring/Summer |
| Mexican Petunia | Ruellia brittoniana | Early Summer/Fall |
| Texas Sage | Salvia greggii | Summer |
| Anise Sage | Salvia guaranitica | Late Spring to Frost |
| Mexican Bush Sage | Salvia leucantha | Summer |
| Lavender-cotton | Santolina chamaecyparissus | Summer |
| Hens and Chickens | Sempervivum spp. | Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Purple Heart | Setcreasia purpurea | Spring/Summer |
| Goldenrod | Solidago spp. | Late Summer/Fall |
| Lamb's Ear | Stachys byzantine | Spring/Summer |
| Society Garlic | Tulbaghia violacea | Early Summer/Fall |
| Speedwell | Veronica spp. | Summer |
Vines & Groundcovers
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Season of Interest |
| Bugleweed, Ajuga | Ajuga reptans | Spring |
| Crossvine | Bignonia capreolata | Mid Spring/Summer |
| Climbing Fig | Ficus pumila | Year Round |
| Sweet Woodruff | Galium odoratum (Asperula odorata) | Spring |
| Carolina Jessamine | Gelsemium sempervirens | Spring |
| Junipers | Juniperus spp. | Year Round |
| Liriope | Liriope spicata | Summer |
| Coral Honeysuckle | Lonicera sempervirens | Mid Spring |
| Mondo grass | Ophiopogon japonicus | Year Round |
| Japanese Pachysandra | Pachysandra terminalis | Spring |
| Prostrate Rosemary | Rosemarinus officinalis 'Prostratus' | Late Winter/Spring |
| Creeping Raspberry | Rubus calycinoides | Late Spring |
| Thyme | Thymus spp. | Mid Spring/Summer |
| Asian Jasmine | Trachelopsermum asiaticum | Spring |
| Star Jasmine | Trachelospermum jasminoides | Spring/Early Summer |
| Large Leaf Periwinkle | Vinca major | Late Spring/Summer |
| Periwinkle, Vinca | Vinca minor | Spring |
Ornamental Grasses
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Season of Interest |
| Sweet Flag | Acorus spp. | Year Round |
| Feather Reed Grass | Calamagrostis spp. | Late Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Sedge | Carex spp. | Late Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Northern Sea Oats | Chasmanthium latifolium | Late Summer/Fall |
| Pampas Grass | Cortaderia selloana | Late Summer/Fall |
| Lemongrass | Cymbopogon citratus | Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Hakone Grass | Hakonechloa macra | Late Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Maiden Grass | Miscanthus sinensis | Late Summer/Fall |
| Pink Muhly Grass | Muhlenbergia capillaris | Late Summer/Fall |
| Switch Grass | Panicum virgatum | Late Summer/Fall |
| Fountaingrass | Pennisetum alopecuroides | Late Summer/Fall |
| Little Bluestem | Schizachyrium scoparium | Summer/Fall |
Shrubs
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Season of Interest |
| Abelia | Abelia x grandiflora | Early Summer/Fall |
| Barberry | Berberis spp. | Spring |
| Butterfly Bush | Buddleia spp. | Summer |
| Japanese Boxwood | Buxus microphylla | Spring |
| Boxwood | Buxus spp. | Late Winter/Early Spring |
| American Beautyberry | Callicarpa americana | Summer |
| Blue Mist Shrub | Caryopteris x clandonensis | Late Summer/Fall |
| Plum Yew | Cephalotaxus harringtonia | Year Round |
| Flowering Quince | Chaenomeles speciosa | Late Winter/Early Spring |
| Clethra, Pepperbush | Clethra alnifolia | Summer |
| Winter Daphne | Daphne odora | Late Winter/Early Spring |
| Deutzia | Deutzia spp. | Spring |
| Eleagnus | Eleagnus pungens | Fall |
| Fothergilla | Fothergilla gardenii | Spring |
| Gardenia | Gardenia spp. | Late Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Hollies (yaupon, inkberry, Chinese and Japanese) | Ilex spp. | Varies |
| Dwarf Yaupon | Ilex vomitoria dwarf cultivars | Spring |
| Anise Shrub | Illicium species | Spring |
| Winter Jasmine | Jasminum nudiflorum | Late Winter |
| Junipers | Juniperus spp. | Year Round |
| Leucothoe | Leucothoe species | Spring |
| Japanese Privet | Ligustrum japonicum | Spring |
| Loropetalum | Loropetalum chinensis | Spring/Early Summer |
| Banana Shrub | Michelia figo | Spring |
| Wax Myrtle | Myrica cerifera | Spring |
| Nandina | Nandina domestica | Spring |
| Osmanthus | Osmanthus spp. | Summer |
| Pieris | Pieris japonica | Late Winter/Early Spring |
| Southern Yew | Podocarpus macrophyllus | Year Round |
| Pomegranate | Punica granatum | Spring/Early Summer |
| Firethorn (Pyracantha) | Pyracantha coccinea | Spring |
| Rosemary | Rosmarinus officinalis | Spring/Summer |
| Sweet Box | Sarcoccoca hookeriana | Spring |
| Spiraea | Spiraea spp. | Spring/Summer |
| Viburnum | Viburnum spp. | Early Spring/Early Summer |
| Weigela | Weigela florida | Spring |
| Yucca | Yucca filimentosa | Spring |
Trees
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Season of Interest |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | Spring/Fall |
| River Birch | Betula nigra | Late Summer/Fall |
| Deodar Cedar | Cedrus deodara | Year Round |
| False Cypress | Chamaecyparis spp. | Year Round |
| Kousa Dogwood | Cornus kousa | Late Spring/Summer |
| Smoketree | Cotinus obovatus | Summer |
| Japanese Cedar | Cryptomeria japonica | Year Round |
| Ginkgo | Ginko biloba | Spring/Fall |
| Eastern Redcedar | Juniperus virginiana L. | Year Round |
| Crape Myrtle | Lagerstroemia indica | Summer |
| Southern Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | Summer |
| Sweetbay Magnolia | Magnolia virginica | Late Spring/Summer |
| Japanese Magnolia | Magnolia x soulangiana | Late Winter/Early Spring |
| Saucer Magnolia | Magnolia x soulangiana | Late Winter/Early Spring |
| Dawn Redwood | Metasequoia glyptostroboides | Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Black Gum | Nyssa sylvatica | Spring/Fall |
| Pine | Pinus spp. | Year Round |
| Cherry Laurel | Prunus laurocerasus | Spring Blooms/Fall Berries |
| Japanese Flowering Cherry | Prunus serrulata | Spring |
| Bald Cypress | Taxodium distichum | Spring/Summer/Fall |
| Chastetree | Vitex agnus-castus | Summer |
Ferns
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Season of Interest |
| Southern Maidenhair Fern | Adiantum capillus-veneris | Year Round |
| Lady Fern | Athyrium filix-femina | Year Round |
| Japanese Painted Fern | Athyrium nipponicum var. pictum | Year Round |
| Holly Fern | Cyrtomium falcatum | Year Round |
| Autumn Fern | Dryopteris erythrosora | Year Round |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea | Year Round |
| Royal Fern | Osmunda regalis | Year Round |
| Tassel Fern | Polystichum polyblepharum | Year Round |
| Southern Shield Fern | Thelypteris kunthii | Year Round |
Palms
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Season of Interest |
| Pindo Palm | Butia capitata | Year Round |
| Windmill Palm | Trachycarpus fortunei | Year Round |
Deer Repelling Products
Bonide® Repels-All
This natural product repels nuisance animals including deer, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, and many more from ornamental gardens and planting areas. Repels through smell, taste, and irritation of eyes and nose. The formula will not harm animals. Safe to use in pet and children's play areas when used as directed. The product lasts up to 60 days. Available in granule and spray forms.
Bonide® Go-Away!
The Spray Deer and Rabbit Repellent by Bonide is the perfect solution to keeping deer and rabbits away from your home and garden. The formula used to create the repellent will not harm the animals. It is safe to use this product around areas where children play as long as it is used as directed. It is perfect for deterring animals as the scent is unpleasant to them and keeps them away from the area. Use this product exactly as directed for optimal protection.
