My Deer- Resistant Landscape Plants

Deer can be a major landscape menace- both rural and sometimes urban- in the Hill Country and other areas over populated with deer.  Deer-proof landscape plants are much in demand.  Few plants are fully deer-proof, but a number of species are impalatable enough to be left alone as other food is available.  Droughts and other situations that create a serious food shortage can cause deer to loose their inhibitions and eat otherwise unpalatable plants- including most of those listed below.  With this disclaimer in mind, the list that follows was prepared.  This list is a compilation from personal observations, suggestions by area nurserymen, landscapers, and other lists.

 
Photo courtesy of Michael Brotzman

Large Trees:
None have been observed to be resistant enough to leave unprotected.  Fortunately, trees can be caged until they grow taller than the deer.

Small Trees or Large Shrubs:
Golden Ball Lead Tree (Leucana retusa) **
Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana) **
Fig (Ficus spp.)
Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus lanceolata) **
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) **
Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) **

Shrubs:
Ceniza/ Texas Sage (Leucophyllum spp.) ***
Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa) **
Boxwood (Buxus microphylla)
Dwarf Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) **
Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea) (observed heavily eaten under pressure)
Goldcup (Hypericum spp.)
Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) ** ***
Mexican silktassle (Gaura lindheimeri)**
Juniper (Juniperus spp.)* **
Agarita (Berberis trifloriolata) **
Blackberry (rubus spp.) (thorny only) * **
Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens) **
Nandina (Nandina spp.) * ***
Autmn Aster (Aster oblingifolius) (observed heavily eaten under pressure)
Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) ** ***
Eleagnus (Eleagnus spp.)
Dwarf Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta)
Japanese Aralia sieboldii)
Aucuga (Aucuba japonica) ***
Abelia (Abelia spp.)
Wax Myrtle (Myrca cerifera) * **
Pampas Grass (Cortaderia spp.)
Philodendron (selloum)
Lantana (Lantana horrida) (natives resistant/ hybrids not) * **

Perennial Succulents and Lilies
Cactus (Opuntia spp.) any with stout spines **
Hen and Chickens (Sempervivum spp.) (spiney varieties)
Yucca (Yucca spp.) **
Red Yucca (Hesperaole parviflora) **
Sotol (Dasylirion spp.) * **
Sashuista/ Bear Grass/ Nolina (Nolina spp.) **
Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus spp.)
Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) ***

Vines
Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
Star Jasmine (Tracelospermum jasminoides)
(observed heavily eaten under pressure)

Ground Covers
Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum)
(observed heavily eaten under pressure)
Santolina (Santolina spp.) **
Aarons Beard (Hypericum calycinum)
Spearmint (Menta spicata)***
Myrtle (Vina major) ***
Carpet Buble (Ajuga reptans) * ***
Monkey Grass (Ophiliopogon japonica (observed heavily eaten under pressure)

Flowers, Fern, Herbs
Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
Bluebonnet (Lipinus teensis) **
Cedar Sage (Saliva roemeriana) ** ***
Verbena (Verbena spp.)**
Zexmenia (Zexmenia hispida) **
Iris (Iris spp.) (observed heavily eaten under pressure)
Begonia (Begonia spp.) (heavily eaten under pressure)
Indigo Spires (Salvia spp.)
Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucanthia) (observed heavily eaten under pressure)
Periwinkle (Vinca rosea)
Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)
Ageratum (Ageratum spp.)
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)**
Yarrow (Achilea filipendulina)**
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Foxglove (Digatalis spp.)**
Purple Cone Flower (Enchinacea angustifolia)* **
Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus wrightii)
Zinnia (Zinnia spp.) (observed heavily eaten under pressure)
Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium lecanthusm)**
Chrysanthemum (Chrusanthemum spp.) (flowers eaten)
Wood Fern (Dryopteris spp.)** ***
Sword Fern (Nephrolepsis spp.) ***
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)**
Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinaccea)**
Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)




*Observed heavily eaten under pressure
**Texas Natives
***Shade Tolerant