Deer can wreak havoc on any garden. From tree and shrub damage to destroying plants, deer is the usual suspect. Like with any sworn enemy first we must know their habits. Fortunately, deer are creatures of habit, so their behavior is predictable.
Here are some facts about deer:
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Deer are most active during the morning and evening hours.
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Their habitat range typically covers several hundred acres– that's a lot of ground!
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They have one area that they use for resting and another for feeding.
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Deer mate from September to January
Most Sun-loving
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Years
Yellow Trillium
Older females usually have 2 babies a season whereas younger females have one.
What Do Deer Eat?
It seems like deer eat everything we don’t want them to. Shrubs, flower buds, tree branches and bark– the list goes on. But there are foods they prefer.
Here is a list of the feeding habits of deer:
- Deer tend to eat evergreens and dry leaves in winter.
- When it’s not winter, deer eat fruits and nuts.
- They favor farmlands near wooded areas because it provides both shelter and food.
- Deer-related damage increases in winter when food is limited.
- They eat shrubs, trees, and crops when available.
Are You Sure It’s Deer?
This is the first step in decreasing deer-related damage - determining if it is deer that are causing you problems – so you have to observe. This way you will know for certain that the problem isn’t caused by squirrels, rabbits, or neighbor kids with too much time on their hands.
If you notice any of the following, deer may be the cause of your plant and tree damage:
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Height where damage occurs: deer can feed from ground level to five feet (or more) above the ground.
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If you notice hoof prints - pay close attention to the ground because they can be easy to miss.
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Browse line on evergreen plants– if you have an otherwise healthy hedge, but it is sparse from the base to about three feet up, this is likely a deer-related issue.
Deer-Resistant Perennial Plants
Prevention is often the easiest and most cost-effective method of preventing deer-related damage.
Repellants are an option, but they wash off in the rain. Plus, they need to be applied to large areas which means a lot of work for you.
Fences are an excellent method of prevention. However, they are expensive and may be unsightly. To keep the deer out, fences must be eight feet tall or more.
The best preventative measure is buying perennials that you love and deer hate. Perennials will return year after year, which is less work for you. Buying deer-resistant perennials is a method that will save you a considerable amount of time, effort, and money.
Here is a list of 16 deer-resistant perennials:
The red cardinal flower is a deer-resistant perennial that loves moist soils. It has tall spires that bloom with red flowers. It is loved by pollinators and is easy to grow.
Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Water: Very wet
Best for rain gardens and wet spots in the garden
Great white trillium is a timeless yet uncommon deer-resistant perennial. It has three large white rippled petals with dark green foliage. It does well in a range of soils.
Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade
Water: average
Best for borders and woodland gardens
The Siberian iris has iconic petals that grow in multiple directions. It is a bold plant ideal for anyone who wants to liven up their garden.
Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Water: Average
Best for Japanese gardens and borders
Dwarf crested iris is a deer-resistant perennial that has star-shaped flowers. It grows lower than most irises and looks great in containers.
Zones: 4 to 8
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Water: Average
Best for edges, front of border, and woodland gardens
Deer-resistant perennials are usually plants with fragrance, tougher leaves, or textures deer do not enjoy. They are resistant, not deer-proof, so young growth can still be browsed when food is scarce.
If you are asking whether cardinal flower, Siberian iris, or other iris plants are deer resistant, they are widely considered less appealing to deer than many soft, tender perennials. Planting them in groups and pairing them with fencing or repellents gives you better protection than relying on plant choice alone.
For a broader planting mix, browse our Perennials collection or combine these picks with other Sun Perennials for bright, exposed beds.
Bearded Iris
The bearded iris is another deer-resistant flower that has gorgeous, bold blooms. Their flowers blossom on long stems. These are ideal for any gardener who wants to make a statement.
Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Water: Average to moist
Best for middle and back or borders
Butterfly weed is a must-have for any pollinator garden. This deer-resistant perennial attracts butterflies, bees and maybe even a hummingbird or two. Plus, it's low maintenance, what's not to love?
Zones: 4 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Water: Moderately dry to average
Best for pollinator gardens and sunny borders
White Violets
White violet comes from the same family as common violets. This low-growing deer-resistant perennial looks great in moon gardens or front of borders.
Zones: 3 to 8
Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade
Water: Average
Best for woodland gardens, moon gardens, front of borders, and containers
The bird's foot violet is a twist on the typical violet. Its flower puts out petals in dark purple and light purple. It pairs well with irises and other varieties of violet.
Zones: 4 to 8
Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade
Water: Average
Best for woodland gardens, front of borders and containers
Yarrow is a deer-resistant perennial that is loved by pollinators. It can grow in many soil conditions and can tolerate some shade. Yarrow is one of the most popular plants on this list!
Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun
Water: Average to moist
Best for borders and pollinator gardens
Dutchman's breeches are a deer-resistant perennial that is closely related to the common bleeding heart. It is native to North America and can be grown in five different zones. It is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow.
Zones: 3 to 7
Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade
Water: Average to moist
Best for borders, woodland gardens, and containers
Deer-resistant perennials for shade
Deer tend to lurk in the shadows, especially when we aren't paying attention. To ensure they don't munch on your precious shaded plants, here are some shade-loving perennials that deer will avoid.
Virginia bluebells are an excellent addition to any garden for their striking color. They are a deer-resistant perennial that can be grown in a wide range of soils and climates.
Zones: 3 to 8
Sun exposure: Full shade
Water: Average to moist
Best for cottage gardens and borders.
This deer-resistant perennial is great for adding height and intrigue to your outdoor space. It can serve as a soft screen or be used in the back of borders due to its height.
Zones: 4 to 9
Sun exposure: Full shade
Water: Average
Best for back of borders and woodland edges
Mayapple is unique in that its flowers grow below its leaves. The leaves are like umbrellas that provide shade to the flowers. Children, especially love this plant and spotting its hidden flowers.
Zones: 3 to 8
Sun exposure: Full shade
Water: Average to moist
Best for alpine gardens and woodland gardens
Deer-resistant perennials for the Northeast
It can be tricky to find good deer-resistant perennials in the northeast where deer are most prevalent. But have no fear! There are options for even the most deer-bothered gardener.
Tiger Lily is a gorgeous and unique deer-resistant perennial. It has spotted markings on its orange petals. While it is native to North America it can add an exotic look to any garden.
Zones: 3 to 8
Sun exposure: Full sun
Water: Average
Best for borders and woodland edges
This deer-resistant perennial violet does especially well in colder climates. It is a low grower with unique, whorled foliage.
Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade
Water: Average
Best for woodlands, borders, under trees or shrubs, and containers
The creeping buttercup thrives in many climates, even cooler ones. It is a nostalgic memory of childhood that is as beloved now as it ever was.
Zones: 3 to 9
Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade
Water: Average
Best for woodlands, borders, or as ground cover
How to Build a Deer-Resistant Garden Bed
A deer-resistant garden bed works best when you combine smart placement, sturdy barriers, and plants deer usually avoid. You may not stop every visit, but you can make the area far less attractive and reduce damage.
Start with placement. Deer follow regular travel paths and usually choose the easiest route to food. Watch where they enter the yard, where they pause, and which edges of the property they use most often. If possible, place your bed near patios, walkways, lights, or other active areas, because deer are often less comfortable feeding close to people.
Raised beds can help, but height alone is not enough. The real protection comes from adding a barrier around the bed. In areas with frequent browse, an eight-foot fence is often the most reliable option because deer can clear much shorter fencing.
Build in extra protection from the start. Hardware cloth under the bed can help with burrowing pests, and mesh or fencing around the sides creates a stronger boundary. Some gardeners angle the top of the fence outward to make jumping into the bed more difficult.
Plant choice matters just as much as structure. Deer-resistant perennials and herbs are often the best starting point because strong scent, rough texture, and thicker foliage tend to be less appealing. Good options for outer edges include yarrow, lavender, sage, ornamental grasses, and irises that are commonly grown for deer resistance.
Group plants by risk. Put the most deer-resistant plants on the outside of the bed, and keep anything more tempting closer to the center. This layered approach can help protect softer growth and gives the whole planting a more intentional design.
A mixed planting usually performs better than a bed filled with only one type of perennial. Use groundcovers, mid-height plants, and taller selections together so the bed looks full while also creating a less inviting feeding pattern for deer.
Keep the bed maintained. Pick up fallen fruit or vegetable scraps, avoid overfeeding plants with fertilizer, and check fencing often for gaps. Tender new growth is especially attractive, so spring and dry-season monitoring can make a big difference.
Repellents can add another layer of defense. Commercial products often use scent and taste deterrents such as garlic or egg solids, and they work best when reapplied after rain and rotated so deer do not get used to one formula.
Red FlowersKeep adjusting your plan as the seasons change. Deer pressure usually rises when natural food is limited, so a setup that works in spring may need stronger protection in fall or winter. The goal is not perfection. The goal is making your garden bed harder to reach and less rewarding to browse.
A practical deer-resistant garden bed uses barriers, careful layout, and dependable plant choices together. For many gardeners, that combination is what protects blooms best and keeps maintenance manageable over time.
Perennial PlantsFrequently asked questions
Are irises deer resistant?
Many gardeners consider irises, including bearded and Siberian types, to be deer resistant because deer usually prefer softer, more tender plants. They are not completely deer-proof, especially when food is scarce.
Are tiger lilies deer resistant?
Tiger lilies are often listed as deer resistant, but resistance is not a guarantee. In areas with heavy deer pressure, it is still smart to use fencing or repellents to protect new growth and buds.
Do deer eat cardinal flower?
Cardinal flower is generally considered less appealing to deer than many other flowering plants. Even so, deer may still sample it during dry periods, winter, or when local food sources are limited.
How tall should a fence be for a deer-resistant garden bed?
In areas with frequent deer activity, an eight-foot fence is often the most reliable option. Shorter fences may help somewhat, but deer can jump surprisingly high when motivated.
