If you want to print this publication, we recommend downloading the PDF version. Although many people enjoy deer, these animals can be destructive to gardens, orchards, and landscaped areas. Deer damage to ornamental plants is associated with a variety of factors including increasing numbers of deer, human population shifts to rural and suburban areas, and landowners prohibiting deer hunting.
Plants deer usually avoid are considered deer-resistant.
Deer eat a variety of vegetation including woody plants, grasses, fruits, nuts, ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, and garden vegetables. Landscaping based on a knowledge of deer feeding habits can reduce or eliminate costly browsing damage to ornamentals. A plant can be deer resistant for several reasons. Tastes, preferences, and digestibility also vary with plant parts, plant age, growth stage, and time of year. The availability of natural food can greatly affect the amount of damage caused by deer.