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Deer-resistant Ornamental Plants
EC 1440 Do you want to print a copy? We recommend downloading the print version (206 K). First download the free Adobe Reader, if you don't already have it. ContentsOR Climate Zone Summaries Although many people enjoy deer, these animals can be destructive to gardens, orchards, and landscaped areas. Deer damage to ornamental plants is associated with a variety of factors including increasing numbers of deer, human population shifts to rural and suburban areas, and landowners prohibiting deer hunting. Although a deer-proof fence is the best insurance against deer damage, landscaping with deer-resistant plants is a more aesthetically pleasing alternative. Deer are selective feeders; they prefer some foods over others. Plants deer usually avoid are considered deer-resistant. Deer eat a variety of vegetation including woody plants, grasses, fruits, nuts, ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, and garden vegetables. Landscaping based on a knowledge of deer feeding habits can reduce or eliminate costly browsing damage to ornamentals.
A plant can be deer resistant for several reasons. Many of the most deer-resistant plants are poisonous--some at all times, and others only at certain growth stages. Tastes, preferences, and digestibility also vary with plant parts, plant age, growth stage, and time of year. The availability of natural food can greatly affect the amount of damage caused by deer. If an adequate supply of natural browse is available, deer are less likely to eat ornamental plants. When the natural food supply is low, however, few ornamental plants will be resistant, and deer may cause heavy browse damage. A large deer population can create competition for food, causing deer to eat many plants that they normally would avoid. Deer damage usually occurs from late fall through early spring. The following list of deer-resistant plants is a general guide. Deer sometimes will browse the plants listed and sometimes will avoid plants not listed. Poisonous plants are labeled; use caution when choosing these species, especially in areas where children are present. You may obtain further information on the plant part, time of year, and form of toxicity from garden nurseries and libraries. Plant climate zones are listed for each plant species. These zones are areas with a common set of temperature ranges, humidity patterns, and other geographic and seasonal characteristics that allow certain plants to grow. |
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Climate Zone |
| Agapanthus africanus | Blue Lily-of-the-Nile | 6, 7 |
| Agave americana (POISONOUS) | Century Plant (POISONOUS) | 7 |
| Aloe spp. | Aloe | 7 |
| Aquilegia spp. | Columbine | All zones |
| Artemisia tridentata | Basin Sagebrush, Big Sage | All zones |
| Arundo donax | Giant Reed | All zones |
| Delphinium spp. (POISONOUS) | Larkspur (POISONOUS) | All Oregon zones |
| Digitalis spp. (POISONOUS) | Foxglove (POISONOUS) | All zones |
| Echium fastuosum | Pride of Madeira | 7 |
| Helleborus spp. (POISONOUS) | Hellebore | All zones |
| Iris spp. | Iris | All zones |
| Kniphofia uvaria | Devil's Poker, Red-hot Poker | All Oregon zones |
| Leucojum spp. | Snowflake | All zones |
| Lupines spp. (POISONOUS) | Lupine (POISONOUS) | All zones |
| Narcissus spp. (POISONOUS) | Narcissus, Daffodil (POISONOUS) | All zones |
| Nolina parryi | Nolina | 7 |
| Oxalis oregana | Oxalis, Redwood Sorrel | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Pediocactus spp. | Hedgehog Thistle | 1 |
| Phormium tenax | New Zealand Flax | 6, 7 |
| Romneya coulteri | Matilija Poppy | All zones |
| Rosmarinus of ficinalis | Rosemary | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Trillium spp. | Trillium, Wake-robin | All zones |
| Tulipa spp. | Tulip | All zones |
| Zantedeschia spp. | Calla Lily | 4, 5, 7 |
| Zauschneria spp. | Zauschneria, California Fuchsia | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
Shrubs
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Climate Zone |
| Berberis spp. | Common Barberry, Oregon Grape | All zones |
| Buxus sempervirens | Common Boxwood | 3, 4, 5, 7 |
| Calyeanthus occidentalis | Western Spice Bush | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Celastrus scandens (POISONOUS) | American Bittersweet (POISONOUS) | All zones |
| Chamaerops humilis | European Fan Palm | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Choisya ternata | Mexican Orange | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Coprosma repens | Mirror Shrub | 7 |
| Cornus stolonifera | Red Osier Dogwood | All Oregon zones |
| Correa spp. | Australian Fuchsia | 4, 5, 7 |
| Cotinus coggygria | Smoke Tree | 1, 2, 3 |
| Daphne spp. (POISONOUS) | Daphne (POISONOUS) | All Oregon zones |
| Enkianthus campanulatus | Redvein Enkianthus | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 |
| Forsythia spp. | Forsythia | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Hakea suaveolens | Sweet Hakea | 7 |
| Ilex spp. (except thornless) | Holly | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Jasminum spp. | Jasmine | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Juniperus spp. | Juniper | All zones |
| Kalmia latifolia (POISONOUS) | Mountain Laurel (POISONOUS) | All Oregon zones |
| Kerria japonica | Japanese Rose | All Oregon zones |
| Kolkwitzia amabilis | Beauty Bush | All Oregon zones |
| Leucothoe fontanesiana | Drooping Leucothoe | 4, 6, 7 |
| Melianthus major | Honey Bush | 7 |
| Nerium oleander (POISONOUS) | Oleander (POISONOUS) | 7 |
| Opuntia spp. | Prickly Pear | 1, 2 |
| Pieris japonica (POISONOUS) | Japanese Pieris (POISONOUS) | All Oregon zones |
| Prunes caroliniana (POISONOUS) | Carolina Cherry Laurel (POISONOUS) | 6, 7 |
| Rhododendron spp. (POISONOUS) | Rhododendron (POISONOUS) | All zones |
| Rhus ovata | Sugar Bush | 6, 7 |
| Sabal blackburniana | Hispaniolan Palmetto | 7 |
| Sambucus racemosa (POISONOUS) | Red Elderberry (POISONOUS) | 1, 2, 3 |
| Solanum spp. (POISONOUS) | Nightshade (POISONOUS) | 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Syringa vulgaris | Common lilac | All Oregon zones |
| Teucrium fruticans | Germander | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
Trees
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Climate Zone |
| Beaucarnea recurvata | Ponytail, Bottle Palm | 7 |
| Betula papyrifera | Paper Birch | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Betula pendula | European White Birch | All Oregon zones |
| Cordyline australis | Dracaena Palm | 4, 7 |
| Cornus capitata | Himalayan Dogwood | 7 |
| Cornus florida | Flowering Dogwood | All Oregon zones |
| Cornus kousa | Kousa Dogwood | 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Crataegus laevigata | English Hawthorn | All Oregon zones |
| Diospyros virginiana | Persimmon | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Elaeagnus angustifolia | Russian Olive | 1, 2, 3, 6 |
| Erythea armata | Mexican Blue Palm | 7 |
| Fagus sylvaica | European Beech | All Oregon zones |
| Ficus carica | Edible Fig | 4, 5, 7 |
| Fraxinus velutina | Arizona Ash | 7 |
| Gleditsia triacanthos | Honey Locust | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Ilex spp. (except thornless) | Holly | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Juniperus spp. | Juniper | All zones |
| Lyonothamnus floribundus | Catalina Ironwood | 7 |
| Melia azedarach (POISONOUS) | China-berry Tree (POISONOUS) | 5, 7 |
| Myrica californica | Wax Myrtle | 4, 5, 7 |
| Phoenix spp. | Date Palm | 7 |
| Picea abies | Norway Spruce | All Oregon zones |
| Picea glauca | White Spruce | All Oregon zones |
| Picea pungens | Colorado Blue Spruce | All Oregon zones |
| Pinus mugo | Mugo Pine | All Oregon zones |
| Pinus nigra | Austrian Pine | All Oregon zones |
| Pinus resinosa | Red Pine | All Oregon zones |
| Pinus rigida | Pitch Pine | All Oregon zones |
| Pinus sylvestris | Scots Pine | All Oregon zones |
| Prunus serrulata (POISONOUS) | Japanese Flowering Cherry (POISONOUS) | 4, 7 |
| Quillaja saponaria | Soapbark Tree | 7 |
| Robinia pseudoacacia (POISONOUS) | Black Locust (POISONOUS) | All zones |
| Salix matsudana tortuosa | Corkscrew Willow | All zones |
| Sassafras albidum | Common Sassafras | 4, 5, 7 |
| Syzygium paniculatum | Australian Bush-cherry, Eugenia | 7 |
| Trachycarpus fortunei | Windmill Palm | 4, 7 |
Vines, Ground Covers
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Climate Zone |
| Gelsemium sempervirens (POISONOUS) | Carolina Jessamine (POISONOUS) | 7 |
| Solanum spp. (POISONOUS) | Nightshade (POISONOUS) | 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Tecomaria capensis | Cape Honeysuckle | 7 |
| Wisteria floribunda (POISONOUS) | Japanese Wisteria (POISONOUS) | All zones |
Prepared by Jenner L. Horton, research assistant, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University; and W. Daniel Edge, Extension wildlife specialist; Oregon State University.
Reprinted July 1994. Updated February 2003.
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Produced and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran's status. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Copyright © 1995- Oregon State University. Disclaimer. |