Deer Resistant Perennials

Deer generally avoid plants with strong scents, fuzzy leaves, or toxic properties. TN Nursery offers a wide variety of perennials with these characteristics:

• Yarrow (Achillea): Known for its feathery, aromatic leaves and long-lasting flowers.
• Milkweed (Asclepias): Several varieties are available, and the plant's milky sap is a deterrent.
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): A popular native with coarse leaves and stems that deer tend to dislike.
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): The rough, hairy texture of the leaves and stems makes this a less appealing choice for deer.
• Bee Balm (Monarda): A member of the mint family with a strong, aromatic scent that deer find unpleasant.
• Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense): A low-growing plant with fragrant leaves that deer typically avoid.
• Christmas Ferns (Polystichum acrostichoides): A hardy, evergreen fern with a texture that deer do not favor.
• Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum): This plant has toxic foliage, making it a reliable deer-resistant choice for shady areas.

These perennials are exceptionally tough, drought-tolerant, and require minimal care once established. Deer avoid them due to their strong scents and coarse textures.

• Yarrow (Achillea): Known for its feathery, aromatic leaves and long-lasting, flat-topped flowers. It thrives in poor soil and is very drought-tolerant.
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): A classic native wildflower that is heat and drought-resistant. Its bristly flower cones and coarse leaves deter deer.
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): These cheerful, golden-yellow flowers are tough and reliable. The hairy texture of their leaves and stems makes them unpalatable to deer.
• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa): A type of milkweed that is vital for monarch butterflies. It's a hardy plant with a deep taproot that helps it withstand drought. Its bitter, milky sap is a strong deterrent for deer.
• Blanket Flower (Gaillardia): Thriving in heat and full sun, this long-blooming perennial is known for its vibrant, daisy-like flowers. Its fuzzy foliage makes it deer-resistant.

For Shady and Woodland Areas

These hardy perennials are excellent for adding life to the shadier parts of your garden where deer often browse.

• Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides): An evergreen fern that provides year-round interest. Deer consistently ignore its leathery, textured fronds. It is very adaptable and requires little maintenance once established.
• Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense): A low-growing groundcover with unique, kidney-shaped leaves. The leaves have a distinct ginger-like scent when crushed, which deer find unpleasant.
• Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum): A fascinating woodland plant with large, umbrella-like leaves. Its foliage is toxic, making it highly deer-resistant. It's a hardy plant that will form a colony in shady spots.
• Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum): An elegant plant with gracefully arching stems and dangling bell-shaped flowers. It is a tough, long-lived perennial that is not bothered by deer.
• Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa): A tall, stately perennial with beautiful, fragrant white flower spikes in late summer. Its leaves are toxic, providing excellent protection from deer. It is a very hardy and long-lived plant.

When you purchase from TN Nursery, you can be confident that you are getting plants that are well-suited for the Tennessee climate and are known to be unappealing to local deer populations.

Deer absolutely hate strong scents like lavender, mint, and garlic. These natural aromas overwhelm their sensitive noses and keep them away from gardens. Planting these fragrant, easy-to-grow herbs and flowers helps protect your landscape without chemicals.