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It’s disappointing to walk outside and discover that deer have been helping themselves to your garden. Fences and repellents can help, but another smart way to cut down on damage is to fill your beds with plants deer usually pass by.
No plant is completely safe from a hungry deer, especially if food is scarce. Still, many perennials have strong scents, fuzzy leaves, or textures that deer find far less appealing than tender garden favorites.
Here are 14 perennials that are widely known for being less attractive to deer while adding plenty of color and interest to your landscape.
Hybrid Astilbe
Hybrid astilbe brightens shady garden beds with soft, feathery flower plumes in shades of pink, red, and white. Its fern-like foliage stays attractive long after the blooms have faded, making it a reliable choice for adding texture throughout the growing season. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil. Zones 4–9
Related: 12 Perennial Vegetables You Only Need to Plant Once
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed is a native wildflower that produces brilliant clusters of orange, yellow, or red blooms from early to midsummer. It’s a favorite of butterflies and other pollinators, while deer usually leave it alone. Plant it in full sun with sandy, well-drained soil, and once established, it handles dry conditions with ease. Zones 3–9
Related: 15 Perennial Flowers That Give You Weeks of Beautiful Blooms
Peony
Peonies have been garden favorites for generations thanks to their large, fragrant flowers and glossy green foliage. Blooming in late spring to early summer, they come in shades of pink, white, red, yellow, and coral. Their fragrance and thick leaves make them less appealing to deer. Peonies prefer fertile, well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine. Zones 3–8
Related: Plant These 15 Perennial Veggies and Enjoy Harvests Every Year
Foxglove
Foxglove produces tall spikes covered with bell-shaped flowers that bring height and color to partly shaded gardens. Blooming from late spring into early summer, the flowers come in shades of pink, purple, white, and cream. Deer rarely browse foxglove, making it a dependable choice for woodland gardens. Zones 4–10
Related: Plants That Don’t Grow Well Side by Side in the Perennial Garden
Coneflower
Coneflower, also known as echinacea, is one of the easiest perennials to grow. Its large daisy-like flowers bloom in shades of purple, pink, white, orange, and yellow, attracting bees and butterflies throughout the summer. Deer usually ignore its rough stems and leaves, while gardeners appreciate its drought tolerance and long bloom period.
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Columbine stands out with its delicate, nodding flowers and distinctive spurred petals. Available in many colors, including striking two-tone varieties, it blooms in spring and pairs beautifully with woodland gardens. Deer tend to avoid it, while hummingbirds happily stop by for nectar. It grows well on slopes, along borders, or in lightly shaded beds.
Bee Balm
Bee balm fills the garden with colorful blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds all summer long. A member of the mint family, it spreads easily and grows best in sunny locations with moist soil. Its fragrant foliage is one reason deer usually leave it untouched.
Catmint
Catmint produces soft spikes of lavender-blue flowers from late spring through summer. This easy-going perennial handles dry spells well and grows happily in full sun or partial shade. Its aromatic leaves have a scent that deer generally avoid, making it a dependable option for borders and walkways.
Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is loved for its fragrant purple flower spikes and silvery foliage. Butterflies are drawn to the blooms, while deer typically steer clear of the strong scent. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a good choice for dry gardens or low-water landscapes.
Salvia
Salvia adds long-lasting color with upright flower spikes in shades of blue, violet, pink, or white. It performs best in sunny locations and tolerates dry conditions once established. Deer usually avoid its aromatic foliage, while bees and hummingbirds visit the flowers throughout the season.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Lungwort is a dependable perennial for shady gardens. In early spring, it produces clusters of flowers that often open pink before changing to blue or violet. Its spotted, slightly hairy leaves add interest long after flowering has finished. The rough texture helps discourage deer from browsing. Zones 3–8
Yarrow (Achillea)
Yarrow forms flat clusters of tiny flowers in shades of yellow, white, pink, red, and peach. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and handles hot, dry weather with little trouble. Deer usually pass it by, making it a reliable choice for cottage gardens and pollinator beds. Zones 3–9
Hellebore
Hellebores bring welcome color to the garden while many other plants are still dormant. Their blooms appear in shades of white, green, pink, burgundy, and deep purple from late winter into early spring. They grow best in partial to full shade with well-drained soil, and deer rarely bother them. Zones 3–9
Penstemon
Penstemon produces tall stems filled with tubular flowers that hummingbirds and bees love. Bloom colors range from pink and red to purple, blue, and white. Deer typically avoid the plant because of its texture and taste, making it a colorful addition to wildlife-friendly gardens. It grows best in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Zones 3–9
