Shrubs less likely to be eaten by deer
Shrubs less likely to be less damaged by deer from a 2018 survey of RHS members.
Different breeds of deer eat different plant species so the lists of plants compiled below are generally deer repellent but all plants are most vulnerable within the first 3-4 weeks of being newly planted in your garden.
- Berberis thunbergii
- Buddleia davidii
- Ceratostigma
- Chaenomeles
- Choisya
- Cistus
- Cornus
- Cotoneaster
- Cupressus
- Cytissus
- Daphne
- Eucalyptus
- Eucryphia x intermedia
- Forsythia
- Garrya
- Hydrangea macrophylla
- Hypericum
- Kerria
- Kolkwitzia
- Laurus nobilis (Bay tree)
- Lavandula – deer find smell distasteful. Can be used as a hedge around borders to deter deer. Requires good drainage but can be planted in pots & stood in less well-drained areas (even around ponds) as long as they are in sun.
- Magnolia
- Myrtus
- Mahonia
- Olearia x haastii
- Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage)
- Rhododendron (Deciduous Azalea)
- Ribes (Currants)
- Robinia pseudoacacia
- Rosa rugosa
- Rosmarinus officianalis
- Sarcococca
- Skimmia
- Spiraea japonica
- Syringa x
- Viburnum (Deciduous types)
- Weigela florida
- Yucca
Shrubs reported to be deer resistant from other sources.
- Abelia mosanensis
- Buxus microphylla
- Caryopteris x clandonensis
- Deutzia
- Euonymus
- Fuchsia magellanica & boliviana – deer don’y like small flower
- Hawthorn
- Hibiscus
- Ilex
- Juniper varieties – deer don’t like the volatile oils in their leaves.
- Kolkwitzia amabilis
- Lonicera nitida & other shrubby honeysuckles.
- Nepeta
- Oreganum
- Pieris japonica
- Photinia ‘Red Robin’ – can be used as a hedge
- Potentilla fruticosa
- Prunus (Laurel) – all varieties are unattractive to deer.
- Rhus aromatic (Sumac) – Leaves give off a citrus scent when crushed & berries are fuzzy. Can be used as an informal hedge. Can grow in poor or infertile soils.
- Roses – The swamp rose, virginia & pasture roses also appear deer resistant as deer don’t like either the strong clove scent or leathery leaves.
- Salvia officinalis – Aromatic, needle-shaped leaves are leathery & tough & also covered by short woolly hairs making the leaves extremely unattractive.
- Sambucus nigra
- Yew
