Although no plant is completely deer proof, these
plants have been found to be fairly deer resistant. Levels of resistance,
however, may vary from year to year and within different areas. In areas heavily
populated by deer other means of deterrence, from scent sprays to physical
barriers, may be necessary.
Annuals
Genus/Species
Common Name
Water Requirements
Tolerates Clay Soil
Tolerates Sandy Soil
Anchusa capensis
Cape Forget-Me-Not
Moderate to Regular
Begonia spp.
Begonia
Regular
Calendula officinalis
Pot Marigold
Moderate
Celosia cristata
Cockscomb
Moderate
Centaurea spp.
Cornflower
Moderate
Clarkia amoena
Godetia
Regular
Cleome spinosa
Spider Flower
Moderate
Cosmos spp.
Cosmos
Regular
Echium vulgare
Pride of Madeira
Moderate
Eschscholzia californica
California Poppy
Little to Regular
Gypsophilia paniculata
Baby's Breath
Moderate
Helianthus spp.
Sunflower
Regular to Ample
Impatiens ssp.
Balsam
Regular
Lobularia maritima
Sweet Alyssum
Regular
Mirabilis jalapa
Four o'clock
Little
Nigella damascena
Love-in-a-Mist
Regular
Portulaca grandiflora
Rose Moss
Moderate to Regular
Reseda odorata
Mignonette
Regular
Sanvitalia procumbens
Creeping Zinnia
Moderate to Regular
Tagetes spp.
Marigold
Regular
Thunbergia alata
Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Regular
Tithonia rotundifolia
Mexican Sunflower
Regular
Verbena spp.
Varies by species
Bulbs
Genus/Species
Common Name
Water Requirements
Tolerates Clay Soil
Tolerates Sandy Soil
Amaryllis belladonna
Naked Lady
Little to Moderate
Crocosmia spp.
Regular
Crocus spp.
Regular during growth
Cyclamen spp.
Shooting Star
Regular
Ixia maculata
African Corn Lily
Regular during growth
Kniphofia uvaria
Red Hot Poker
Moderate to Regular
Leucojum aestivum
Summer Snowflake
Regular
Muscari spp.
Grape Hyacinth
Regular
Narcissus spp.
Regular during growth
Scilla spp.
Squill
Regular during growth
Watsonia spp.
Bugle Lily
Regular during growth
Groundcovers
Genus/Species
Common Name
Water Requirements
Tolerates Clay Soil
Sandy Soil
Ajuga spp.
Carpet Bugle
Regular
yes
Ceanothus hearstiorum
Carpet Mountain Lilac
Cerastium tomentosum
Snow in Summer
Moderate to Regular
Cotoneaster spp.
Little to Moderate
Duchesnea indica
Mock Strawberry
Moderate
Duchesnea indica
Indian Mock Strawberry
Moderate
Fragaria chiloensis
Ornamental Strawberry
Regular
Iva Hayesiana
Hayes Iva
Lantana montevidensis
Trailing Lantana
Moderate
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Ice Plant
Little
Sagina subulata
Irish Moss
Regular
Satureja douglasii
Yerba Buena
Little to Moderate
Satureja douglasii
Yerba Buena
Regular
Sedum spp.
Stone Crop
Little to Moderate
yes
yes
Veronica spp.
Speedwell
Regular
Vinca minor
Periwinkle
Little to Moderate
Perennials
Genus/Species
Common Name
Water Requirements
Clay Soil
Tolerates Sandy Soil
Acanthus mollis
Bear's Breech
Moderate to Regular
Achillea spp.
Yarrow
Little to Moderate
yes
Adiantum spp.
Maidenhair Fern
Ample
Agapanthus africanus
Lily of the Nile
Little to Regular
yes
Alcea rosea
Hollyhock
Regular
Alstroemeria spp.
Peruvian Lily
Regular during growth
Aquilegia spp.
Columbine
Regular
