Managing a garden can be a very challenging task, as not only do you need to create the perfect conditions for the plants in your garden to grow, but you also need to make sure that they are safe from the animals that eat them. There is no worse feeling than walking into your garden and seeing that all your favourite flowers and plants have been eaten by a deer or an antelope.
It is also not possible for everyone to install nine-foot-tall fences to prevent deer from entering the space, or constantly spraying repellents, as there are some that can also affect the flowers. However, there are some perennials that are not very delightful to deer, which means that they do not prefer eating these plants. Planting these deer resistant flowers will keep your garden safe from these herbivores, as these plants don’t have the same appeal to them.
Best Deer-resistant Plants
In case you are not familiar with these deer-resistant shrubs, you can easily use the guide to learn about the plants that you can cultivate in your garden or backyard to keep the animals away.
Bee Balm
Maryland Wildflower Society lists it as a favorite: these vivid flowers, which are also loved by the bees, butterflies, and the birds, would create a colorful summer in every garden. They’re all clump-forming types that are guaranteed to come back strong again and again, and additionally are very resistant to the infamous powdery mildew.
Deer don’t come near them when they smell the minty scented leaves. Introducing the Lady bee balm for summer, followed by Pardon My and Upscale varieties to last the bloom period until mid-summer. All the time, the summer is giving the same vibrant color.
Catmint
The shrubs with the scented, hairy leaves are nothing but a deer’s nightmare. ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is a small, tiny variety that nicely goes with the vegetable gardens, rose beds, or pathways with sun.
It is very simple to cultivate under full sun and well-drained soil. Just put it and forget (that’s right—no additional water or fertilizer needed), and it will be so kind to you with huge bunches of bright lavender-purple flowers starting in early summer. In case you want something a little bigger, retaining its tidy shape, go for ‘Cat’s Meow’.
Salvia
Planting salvia is the fastest way to get your garden pollinated. While deer certainly avoid its smell, the blooming of its flowers attracts all kinds of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which will indeed start around early summer.
Color Spires and Profusion salvias are super easy to grow in sunny places. They are drought-resilient after a while. These charming perennials are a must-have for every spring garden, making them one of the best deer resistant shrubs.
Lavender
Sweet Romance lavender, being finely textured, fragrant, and fuzzy, is not on the menu of deer and critters very often. This long-lasting and therefore very economical plant will win you over with its intoxicating sweet smell, so do not forget to cut some stems to bring indoors.
This variety is especially long-blooming with constant production of rich violet-purple flower wands from early summer until autumn in full sun. It is extremely drought-tolerant once established.
You can also refer to the website Yourhomify to learn more about the other deer-resistant plants that you can grow.
