Species Least
Preferred by Deer

Native Species Planting Guide for New York CityMonarda Fistulosa, Photo by Charles CochranSpecies Least Preferred by Deer
Native ecosystems and horticultural plantings in the Bronx and Staten Island are experiencing
extreme pressure by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). White-tailed deer have nonatural predators in New York City, and hunting is prohibited. There are no plant species
that are truly deer resistant; white-tailed deer are generalist herbivores, and if they arehungry, they will eat any plant material -- even the bark off of trees. Although this reality
seems grim, they do develop preferences and will ignore many plant species in their grazing
patterns. Deer have co-evolved with New York City’s native plant species, but many species
are considered less desirable. Plant species least preferred by deer may still experience
seldom or occasion damage. Browsing by deer may only occur as fresh new growth appears
on plants and will then be ignored for the rest of the season. Planting a high diversity of species
will minimize the impact that any deer browse will have in your overall planting design. Plantingaesthetically-pleasing native species will minimize inputs and maximize benefits to pollinatorsand the greater ecosystem; they can be used in highly-designed landscapes or to offer a morenatural look to a landscape. Many ferns and grasses are rarely damaged by deer, and strong
scented perennials are often a deterrent. Additional measures, such as well-maintained deer
fencing, can help to protect plantings.
As a part of New York City’s Deer Impact Management Plan, the New York City Department ofParks & Recreation (NYC Parks) is conducting a Deer Impact Vegetation Assessment to assess
whether the Plan is meeting its goal of protecting native forests. This three-year assessment
started in 2016 and examines how deer browse varies across different forest types (uplandforest, maritime forest, and forested wetland), vegetation types (trees, shrubs/vines, herbaceousvegetation), deer protection methods, and time. The monitoring of rare and sensitive species
during the growing season include plots within and outside of deer exclosures to better
understand variations in browse and the effectiveness of deer exclosures. Preliminary findings
from Project Year one and two show that there is deer browse across almost all parks in Staten
Island and the Bronx.
Note: This document should be used in conjunction with the Native Species Planting Guide forNew York City – 2nd Edition

1|PageFernsFerns are a group of plants that are generally not preferred by deer. Fiddleheads in early spring
may experience some browse. The most likely plant specimens to be affected are those alonghigh traffic deer paths. This unfortunate collateral damage can be mitigated by planting
strategically if traffic patterns are observed.
SCIENTIFIC NAMECOMMON NAME

Adiantum pedatum
Athyrium filix-femina
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Dryopteris marginalis
Onoclea sensibilis
Osmunda cinnamomea
Osmunda claytoniana
Osmunda regalis
Polystichum acrostichoides
Thelypteris noveboracensis
Thelypteris palustrisNorthern maidenhair fern
Lady fern
Hayscented fern
Marginal woodfern
Sensitive fern
Cinnamon fern
Interrupted fern
Royal fern
Christmas fern
New York fern
Marsh fern

Graminoids
Graminoids make up less than 10% of a deer’s annual diet. Mature graminoids specimens areless palatable to deer because of their high cellulose content, which is harder to digest.
Graminoids are also lower in nutrients when compared to forbs or woody plants. Fresh new
growth on clumping graminoids may experience some browse, and cool season species likewild rye (Elymus spp.) will be foraged. Many species within the sedge family (Cyperaceae) willbe ignored by deer; listed below are a few choices.
SCIENTIFIC NAMECOMMON NAME

Agrostis perennans
Andropogon gerardii
Andropogon virginicus
Calamagrostis canadensis
Carex crinita
Carex pensylvanica
Carex stricta
Carex vulpinoidea
Chasmanthium laxum
Elymus canadensis
Elymus virginicus
Eragrostis spectabilis
Juncus effusus
Panicum virgatum

Autumn bentgrass
Big bluestem
Broomsedge bluestem
Bluejoint
Fringed sedge
Pennsylvania sedge
Tussock sedge
Fox sedge
Slender woodoats
Canada wildrye
Virginia wildrye
Purple lovegrass
Common rush
Switchgrass
2|PageSchizachyrium scoparium
Scirpus cyperinus
Sorghastrum nutans
Tridens flavus

Little bluestem
Woolgrass
Indiangrass
Purpletop

Forbs
Forbs are among the most highly desired group of plants for deer. Forbs are highly nutritious,
easily digestible, and available throughout each growing season. Forb species most likely to be
avoided are those that are strongly scented, like a species from the mint family (Lamiaceae), or
those with a coarse texture.
SCIENTIFIC NAMECOMMON NAME

Actaea racemosa
Actaea pachypoda
Ageratina altissima
Allium tricoccum
Aquilegia canadensis
Arisaema triphyllum
Asarum canadense
Asclepias incarnata
Asclepias syriaca
Asclepias tuberosa
Baptisia tinctoria
Caltha palustris
Caulophyllum thalictroides
Chelone glabra
Cirsium discolor
Dicentra cucullaria
Eutrochium dubium
Eutrochium fistulosum
Eutrochium maculatum
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Eutrochium purpureum
Eurybia divaricata
Geranium maculatum
Geum canadense
Helenium autumnale
Helianthus decapetalus
Helianthus divaricatus
Heuchera americana
Hibiscus moscheutos
Iris versicolor

Black cohosh
Doll’s eyes
White snakeroot
Wild leek
Wild columbine
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Wild ginger
Swamp milkweed
Common milkweed
Butterflyweed
Yellow wild indigo
Marsh marigold
Blue cohoshWhite turtlehead
Field thistle
Dutchman’s breeches
Coastal plain joe pye weed
Trumpetweed
Spotted joe pye weed
Common boneset
Sweetscented joe pye weed
White wood asterWild geranium
White avens
Common sneezeweed
Thin-leaved sunflower
Woodland sunflower
American alumroot
Crimsoneyed rosemallow
Harlequin blueflag
3|PageLobelia cardinalis
Lobelia siphilitica
Mimulus ringens
Monarda fistulosa
Monarda punctata
Oenothera biennis
Oenothera fruticosa
Opuntia humifusa
Packera aurea
Penstemon digitalis
Podophyllum peltatum
Potentilla canadensis
Potentilla fruticosa
Potentilla simplex
Pycnanthemum incanum
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Pycnanthemum virginianum
Rudbeckia hirta
Sanguinaria canadensis
Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Solidago caesiaSolidago canadensis
Solidago rugosa
Solidago sempervirens
Symphyotrichum ericoides
Symphyotrichum laeve
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii
Symplocarpus foetidus
Teucrium canadense
Thalictrum dioicum
Thalictrum pubescens
Tradescantia virginiana
Verbena hastata
Verbena urticifolia
Vernonia noveboracensis

Cardinalflower
Great blue lobelia
Allegheny monkeyflower
Wild bergamot
Spotted beebalm
Common evening primrose
Narrowleaf evening primrose
Eastern prickly pear
Golden ragwort
Foxglove beardtongue
Mayapple
Dwarf cinquefoil
Shrubby cinquefoil
Common cinquefoil
Hoary mountainmint
Narrowleaf mountainmint
Virginina mountainmint
Black-eyed Susan
Bloodroot
Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass
Wreath goldenrod
Canada goldenrod
Wrinkleleaf goldenrod
Seaside goldenrod
White heath aster
Smooth blue aster
New England aster
New York asterSkunk cabbage
Canada germander
Early meadow-rue
Tall meadow-rue
Spiderwort
Swamp verbena
White vervain
New York ironweed

4|PageWoody Species
Woody species are a favorite among deer for their fruits and seeds as well as the tender leaves
and twigs of new growth. Shrubs and trees will be targeted every season as a potential foodsource although species with high toxicity levels or coarse texture will most likely be avoided.
Forest regeneration is increasingly threatened by the presence of deer and their preference fortree nuts, fruits, and tender saplings.
* Species with an asterisk are woody species that are the least browsed by deer, based on thefirst year of data from the Deer Impact Vegetation Assessment.
SCIENTIFIC NAMECOMMON NAMETREESAcer negundo
Acer rubrum
Acer saccharinum
Acer saccharum
Amelanchier arborea*
Amelanchier canadensis*
Betula alleghaniensis
Betula lentaBetula populifolia
Celtis occidentalis*Cornus florida
Fagus grandifolia
Ilex opaca
Liquidambar styraciflua
Nyssa sylvatica
Pinus rigida
Pinus strobus
Platanus occidentalis
Populus tremuloides*
Prunus serotina
Quercus bicolor*
Sassafras albidum
Ulmus americana

BoxelderRed maple
Silver maple
Sugar maple
Common serviceberry
Canadian serviceberry
Yellow birch
Black birch
Gray birch
Common hackberry
Flowering dogwood
American beech
American holly
SweetgumBlack tupelo
Pitch pine
White pine
American sycamore
Quaking aspen
Black cherry
Swamp white oak
Sassafras
Marsh fernSHRUBS
Amelanchier canadensis*
Aronia arbutifolia
Aronia melanocarpa
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Clethra alnifolia*
Cornus amomum

Canadian serviceberry
Red chokeberryBlack chokeberry
Buttonbush
Sweet pepperbush
Silky dogwood
5|PageCornus racemosaCornus sericea
Corylus americana
Crataegus crus-galli
Eubotrys racemosa
Hamamelis virginiana
Ilex glabra
Ilex verticillata
Juniperus virginiana
Kalmia angustifolia
Kalmia latifolia
Lindera benzoin
Morella pensylvanica
Oenothera fruticosa
Prunus maritima
Rhododendron periclymenoides
Rhododendron viscosum
Rhus aromatica
Rubus allegheniensis
Rubus occidentalis
Rubus odoratus
Rubus pensilvanicus
Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis
Spiraea alba var. latifolia
Spiraea tomentosa
Vaccinium corymbosum
Vaccinium pallidum
Viburnum acerifolium
Viburnum dentatum
Viburnum prunifolium

Gray dogwood
Redosier dogwood
American hazelnut
Cockspur hawthorn
Swamp doghobble
Witchhazel
Inkberry
Winterberry
Eastern red cedar
Sheep laurel
Mountain laurel
SpicebushNorthern bayberry
Narrowleaf evening primrose
Beach plum
Pinxterbloom azalea
Swamp azalea
Fragrant sumac
Common blackberryBlack raspberryPurpleflowering raspberry
Pennsylvania blackberry
American black elderberry
Meadowsweet
Steeplebush
Highbush blueberryBlue Ridge blueberry
Mapleleaf viburnum
ArrowwoodBlackhaw

VINES
Clematis virginiana
Lonicera sempervirens
Parthenocissus quinquefolia*

Virginina virgin’s bower
Trumpet honeysuckle
Virginia creeper

6|PageGroundcovers
Bare soil will be colonized by plant species. Planting native groundcovers can help discourageinvasive species from taking hold in the landscape. Leaf texture and prickles on stems candeter deer from gaining a preference for your groundcover.
SCIENTIFIC NAMECOMMON NAMESHRUBS
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Mitchella repens
Vaccinium angustifolium

Bearberry
Partridgeberry
Lowbush blueberry

VINES
Rubus flagellaris
Rubus hispidus

Northern dewberry
Bristly dewberry

FORBS
Anemone quinquefolia
Asarum canadense
Fragaria virginiana
Potentilla canadensis
Potentilla simplex

Wood anemone
Wild ginger
Wild strawberry
Dwarf cinquefoil
Common cinquefoil

GRAMINOIDS
Carex pensylvanica

Pennsylvania sedge

7|Page