Deer Proof / Resistant Shrubs and Bushes

Deer are often the cause of damage to shrubs by two different ways, browsing (eating) or rubbing or both. Damage to shrubs in a garden or landscape has become more of a problem as new homes are built in suburbs that are spreading out into the deer's natural habitat. Deer will also be seen in existing urban development when their populations increase, as they get forced to look elsewhere for habitat. Click here for a list of deer resistant trees.

Here in Wyoming, USA, and in many other US states, the deer population is rising due to many factors, some include; decreasing numbers of natural predators, and more restrictions on deer hunting, thus leaving more deer around looking for something to eat in the winter time!

Gardeners and Landscapers have a number of different methods available to them for deer damage prevention;

• Use deer resistant shrubs, or deer proof shrubs, even though there are few shrubs that are totally deer resistant. Some shrubs are more deer resistant than others as there are a few factors which influence this described below in Using Deer Resistant Shrubs.
• Using a fence is one of the best prevention methods against deer damage, as it not only prevents grazing, but will also stop the Bucks rubbing on the stems of your plants too. The fence must be approximately 6ft / 2m in height for it to prevent deer jumping over, however this may be impractical in some gardens or landscapes.
• Usage of deer repellant. These products have their pros and cons, however as a Landscaper I look for more permanent solutions to the deer problem. Continually having to apply these products in your Landscape over the years can become expensive and tiresome.
• Use fragrant deer repelling shrubs; many herbs are good for this. Suggested species; most sages, lavender, catnip, mint, oleander, rosemary, wormwood and thyme to name a few. These fragrant sub-shrubs are too overpowering for the deer and they will usually turn the other way.

Using and Buying Deer Resistant Shrubs

Landscaping with deer resistant shrubs will end up being the most aesthetically pleasing way to combat the deer damage problem, as there is no fence to block views or get in the way, or no repellant you have to continually buy and apply all over you landscape or garden.

A shrub can be deer resistant due to several reasons, and many shrubs are more deer resistant than other shrubs because of this. There are few shrubs that are entirely 100% deer resistant.

Factors that influence weather a shrub is deer resistant and how much;

• Taste of the shrub, if the deer are really hungry, they will eat some shrubs they don't prefer.
• Digestibility of the shrub will vary with shrub age, growth stage and time of year. Some shrubs can only be eaten by deer when they have new young shoots growing in the springtime.
• Shrub toxicity to deer, it can be poisonous to them, some at some point during the shrub growth stage, and some of the most deer resistant shrubs are poisonous at all growth stages.

Using Deer Repelling Shrubs

Deer repelling shrubs can be planted amongst your other plants, or around the perimeter of your landscape, we have tried both methods on our landscaping projects, either way works just as well. Just remember that if you have a lawn in front of your house with flower beds, with no fence, then you will have to mix the deer repelling shrubs with your other plants for any effect. The deer repelling shrubs must number 40% or more of your plants to have any significant effect.

When planning to buy ornamental shrubs, it is important to look at their resistance to deer in order to avoid browsing damage. We have put together the following list of deer resistant shrubs, and deer repelling shrubs that we use in our landscapes. Click here for a list of deer resistant trees.

List of deer resistant shrubs, sorted by scientific name