Horticulture Fact Sheet
H-97-032

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The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Cooperative Extension Service

Deer-Tolerant Ornamental Plants

Jeff Jackson, Professor of Wildlife Management and Gary L. Wade, Extension Horticulturist

As shadows lengthen in the late afternoon, deer leave the shelter of the woods in search of food. They inspect your trees, shrubs and flowers as if they were a buffet table. Nibbling pansies for an appetizer, they progress to azaleas for the main entree. Then it's on to the daylilies for dessert.

All across America, this scene is repeated in countless locations where native areas are being replaced by managed grounds. Nuisance deer are difficult to control in residential communities. There are a number of commercially available repellents on the market, but they tend to wash off with rain and must be re-applied frequently to be effective. Unreliable results have also been obtained from other so-called "home remedy" repellents such as soap, human hair and animal dung. Shooting is often prohibited, and many citizens are opposed to this method of control. Fencing whole communities or individual properties is often not practical.

Planting ornamental plants that deer do not like to eat is a solution to deer browsing. Please remember, though, that very few plants are totally deer-resistant. When deer populations are high and food becomes scarce, deer are more likely to feed on ornamental plants. Deer prefer tender new foliage on newly-planted ornamentals and those fertilized to produce lush new growth. During dry weather, deer are attracted to irrigated plants. Buck deer may also cause considerable damage to young trees by rubbing them with their antlers. Repellents will not stop antler rubbing.

The following list may be helpful when selecting ornamental plants for your landscape. If your favorite plant is not on the list, information is lacking on its level of deer resistance.

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State College, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.

An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Organization Committed to a Diverse Work Force

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director