ShrubsDiscover the right shrubs for your garden.
homeowner who live in suburban and rural area know the damage that deer can cause to the landscape painting . A hungry deer ruck can quickly decimate a hosta border or funnies preferent shrubs marginal of their leaves . cervid will nibble on almost any plant if they are athirst enough , especially after a long wintertime when food sources are scarce . Short of erecting an electric cervid fence , which can be cost prohibitive , the easiest solution to deter cervid from eating your beloved garden plant is to use deer - resistant flora in your chiliad .
Some garden industrial plant such as Hosta , hydrangea , and day lily are more likely to be grazed on by cervid . They favor plants with soft , cabbage - like leaves that are easy to chew and will eschew plants with a jolting texture , sharp-worded needles , or thorns . Deer have a tender smell and savor and avoid plant life with fragrant flower , pungent foliage , or bitter - savour leaves . By choose plants with these attributes , you’re able to reduce deer terms to your yard . Though few plants are totally deer proof , there are many plants deer will invalidate . Here are some of the best deer - insubordinate shrubs to establish in your garden .
DEER-RESISTANT SHRUBS
Funshine ® abelia . Photo : Proven Winners
ABELIA (Abeliaspp.)
Zones:4 - 11 , calculate on the varietyExposure : Full sunlight to part shadeHabit : Mounding shaggy habitHeight / Spread:2 to 10 feet tall , 2 to 8 feet wideBloom time : springiness to fall
Abeliais a deciduous shrub with colored or variegated foliage and fragrant long - blooming flowers . Plants are virtually maintenance - free and broad of shade , drought , and hapless soil . Deer avoid abelia due to the aroma of the blossom and bitter - tasting foliage , but may browse on plants if other food sources are scarce . Learn abelia .
image : Funshine ® abeliafrom Proven Winners .
Sunjoy Todo ® barberry . Photo : Proven Winners
BARBERRY (Berberis thunbergiiand spp.)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sunlight to fond shadeHabit : Upright mounding , shaggy-haired , or columnar habitHeight / Spread:2 to 10 foot tall , 2 to 8 feet wideBloom time : Spring
This popular deciduous or evergreen plant shrub produce colourful leaf , berry , and fall foliage for multi - seasonal entreaty . Plants are utile as hedging and in mass plantings . The dense growing and sharp thorns are a deterrent to deer . Barberry is invasive in some region , but new unfertile varieties are usable .
Pictured : Sunjoy Todo ® sterile barberryfrom Proven Winners .
Photo : Alex Manders / Shutterstock
BEAUTYBUSH (Kolwitzia amabilis)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sunlight to partial shadeHabit : shaggy-coated arch habitHeight / Spread:6 to 10 fundament tall and wideBloom time : Spring
Kolwitziais a deciduous bush grown for its elegant arching riding habit , blue - green foliage , and prolific clusters of easy pink flowers in spring . Plants are well-situated to care for and liberal of different soils . utilization as a background plant , in foundation planting , or as hedge . Deer tend to get out beautybush alone .
Beyond Midnight ® bluebeard . exposure : Proven Winners .
BLUEBEARD (Caryopterisspp.)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : mound shaggy-coated habitHeight / Spread:2 to 4 feet tall and wideBloom time : Summer to lessen
Bluebeard tot former - season interest group to the landscape , with green or Au foliage and feathery bloom spike that occur in summer and fall . plant are low sustentation and drought tolerant . This petite deciduous bush is desirable for small place , shrub borders , and the great unwashed plantings . Deer are repelled by the heavy olfactory property . find out bluebeard .
Pictured : Beyond Midnight ® bluebeardfrom Proven Winners .
Sprinter ® Boxwood . Photo by : Proven Winners
BOXWOOD (Buxusspp.)
Zones:5 - 9 , with a few varieties sturdy to Zone 4Exposure : Full sun to shadeHabit : Dense , upright mound or conical habitHeight / Spread:1 to 20 feet tall , 2 to 8 feet wideBloom time : Spring ; efflorescence are unimportant
This various shrub is commonly used as hedging or secrecy screening , lending structure to bed and moulding . Boxwood leaf is highly amenable to shearing into courtly hedgerow and topiaries . One of the best cervid - resistant evergreen plant shrubs , Turkish boxwood contain a toxic alkaloid chemical compound and exude a pungent olfactory property to deter deer . Learn boxwood .
Pictured : Sprinter ® boxwoodfrom Proven Winners .
Lo & Behold ® ' Blue Chip Jr. ' butterfly bush . exposure by : Proven achiever
BUTTERFLY BUSH (Buddleiaspp.)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : unsloped shaggy-haired habitHeight / Spread:3 to 12 feet tall and wideBloom sentence : Summer to early fall
Butterfly bush is a deciduous shrub named for the colorful flower spikes that are highly attractive to butterfly stroke and other insect pollinator . plant are carefree and drought tolerant . Non - seeding varieties can be develop in area where butterfly bush is encroaching . Deer will avoid butterfly stroke bush due to the fragrant flowers and bitter taste of the leaves . Learn butterfly chaparral responsibly .
fancy : Lo & Behold ® ' Blue Chip Jr. ' butterfly bushfrom Proven Winners .
Daphne odora ' Aureomarginata ' . picture by Avalon / Alamy Stock Photo
DAPHNE (Daphnespp.)
Zones:4 - 9 , bet on the varietyExposure : Partial shadeHabit : shaggy-haired spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 5 feet tall , 2 to 6 substructure across-the-board , reckon on the varietyBloom time : Late winter to fall , depending on the variety
Daphneis a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green or variegated leaf and cannular blossom that are intensely fragrant . This small- to intermediate - sized shrub is useful in boundary line , fundament planting , and timberland mise en scene . Deer are repelled by the scent and find the poisonous berries to be yucky .
Yuki Cherry Blossom ® deutzia . Photo by : Proven winner
DEUTZIA (Deutziaspp.)
Zones:5 - 8Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to partial shadeHabit : Bushy , upright , or ground cover habitHeight / Spread:1 to 10 feet marvelous , 2 to 8 feet wide , depending on the varietyBloom time : Mid - spring to early summer
One of the full cervid - resistant flowering bush to grow , deutzia produces coarse-textured leafage and fragrant bell - shaped flowers that bloom in spring . This hardy deciduous bush is useful in instauration plantings and mixed borders , and is virtually maintenance free . plant are rarely bothered by deer due to the fragrant flowers and unpalatable leaf . Learn deutzia .
envision : Yuki Cherry Blossom ® deutziafrom Proven Winners .
Black Lace ® elderberry . picture by : Proven Winners
ELDERBERRY (Sambucusspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Dominicus to fond shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 30 feet marvelous and wideBloom time : Spring to summer
Sambucusis a hardy deciduous shrub with attractive leafage , lacy flower , ornamental Berry , and splendid fall color . practice as hedge or in a woodland border . cervid prefer other plant to elderberry , which are loosely considered cervid resistant . However , elderberry may be more susceptible to deer browsing in sure region , with some species more resistant than others . discover elderberry .
Pictured : Black Lace ® elderberryfrom Proven Winners .
Soft Serve ® fictive cypress tree . Photo by : Proven winner
FALSE CYPRESS (Chamaecyparisspp.)
Zones:3 - 9 , calculate on the speciesExposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright , mounding , pyramidal , or columniform habitHeight / Spread:5 to 130 feet tall , 6 to 25 foot wide , reckon on the diverseness
This hardy evergreen plant conifer produces hunky-dory needles that add texture to delimitation and woodland configurations . Garden cultivars are bred for their smaller height . Deer may crop on imitation cypress tree in wintertime when other food sources are scarce , though they tend to get out plants alone during the grow season . check faux cypress .
picture : Soft Serve ® false cypressfrom Proven Winners .
Show Off ® forsythia . Photo by : Proven succeeder
FORSYTHIA (Forsythiaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright , bushy , or arching habitHeight / Spread:1 to 10 understructure tall , 3 to 10 feet wideBloom meter : ahead of time to mid springiness
Forsythiais a hardy deciduous bush grow for the cheerful yellow-bellied flowers that appear in former spring . These flora thrive in a broad range of turn conditions . apply these fast - growing , flower shrubs as hedging or in grounding planting . cervid avoid forsythia due to the bitter gustatory modality of the leaves . con forsythia .
picture : Show Off ® forsythiafrom Proven Winners .
Sky Box ® Japanese holly . exposure by : Proven winner
HOLLY (Ilexspp.)
Ilexis a diverse group of plants with deciduous or evergreen foliage and colored berries that offer winter pastime . This versatile landscape plant can be used as hedging , in foundation plantings or boundary line . Some types of Charles Hardin Holley are more deer resistant than others . Those with blockheaded , briary leaves tend to be leave alone . Winterberry and inkberry are less affected , while blue holly and Japanese holly are more susceptible to cervid browse . Learn holly shrub .
render : Sky Box ® Japanese hollyfrom Proven Winners .
Interstella ® lily of the valley shrub . pic by : Proven success
JAPANESE PIERIS (Pieris japonica)
Zones:5 - 8Exposure : Partial sun to fond shadeHabit : upright piano bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 12 feet tall , 3 to 8 fundament wide , depending on the varietyBloom prison term : belated winter to early give
This broadleaf evergreen plant shrub bring twelvemonth - cycle appeal to the landscape painting with green or variegated leafage , clusters of bell - shape flowers and attractive unexampled growing . Use in timberland borders , foundation planting , and as hedging . Deer are repel by the scented flower and virulent taste of the farewell . Learn pieris shrubs .
Pictured : Interstella ® lily of the vale shrubfrom Proven Winners .
Montana Moss ® juniper . Photo by : Proven Winners
JUNIPER (Juniperusspp.)
Zones:2 - 10 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright , spread or weeping habitHeight / Spread:2 to 10 feet tall , 2 to 8 feet across-the-board
Juniperusis a stalwart evergreen plant conifer uncommitted in a all-embracing range of size , shapes , and colors . This versatile plant adds grain , structure , and background color to borders , rock candy garden , slopes , and groundwork plantings . cervid are repelled by the pungent scent , acrimonious taste , and sharpness of the needles . Learn juniper shrub .
Pictured : Montana Moss ® juniperfrom Proven Winners .
Scentara ® treble dingy lilac . pic by : Proven success
LILAC (Syringaspp.)
Zones:2 - 8Exposure : Full Sunday to partial shadeHabit : vertical shaggy-coated habitHeight / Spread:4 to 15 infantry grandiloquent , 3 to 12 infantry wideBloom sentence : Spring ; some newer diversity rebloom
This beloved hardy deciduous bush produces clusters of flower that add color and fragrance to the spring garden . develop lilac bushes in foundation plantings , as hedging or viewing . Deer avoid lilac due to the odour and bitter appreciation of the leaf . con lilac George Bush .
Pictured : Scentara ® twofold Blue lilacfrom Proven Winners .
Oregon grape ( Mahonia ) in bloom . pic by Irina Borsuchenko / Shutterstock
MAHONIA (Mahoniaspp.)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : vertical shaggy-haired or creeping habitHeight / Spread:1 to 10 feet tall , 2 to 8 feet wideBloom clock time : Winter , spring , fall , depending on the variety
Mahoniais a hardy evergreen plant shrub with holly - like leaves , clusters of bell - shaped bloom and decorative berries for multi - seasonal collection . Use this easy - care shrub in foundation plantings or aboriginal landscapes . cervid observe the thick , spiny grain of the leaves to be unpalatable .
' Elf ' wad Arthur Stanley Jefferson Laurel . picture : Svetlanko / Shutterstock
MOUNTAIN LAUREL (Kalmia latifolia)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Partial Lord’s Day or dappled shadeHabit : vertical shaggy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 15 foot grandiloquent and wide , count on the varietyBloom time : natural spring
Kalmiais a broadleaf evergreen , and is one of the few native shrubs that is deer insubordinate . plant have an attractive habit and leafage , with showy bell - shaped heyday . utilize in a aboriginal landscape painting , foundation planting , or mixed border . Though deer sometimes graze on the flowers , they are force back by the toxic leaves , which cause a burn champion when feed .
' Carsten ’s Wintergold ' mugo pine . Photo by : Daryna Shpak / Shutterstock
MUGO PINE (Pinus mugo)
Zones:2 - 7Exposure : Full sunlight to partial shadeHabit : Upright spread habitHeight / Spread:2 to 5 feet marvelous , 3 to 6 feet wide
Mugo pine is an graceful evergreen conifer with a dwarf stature desirable for small space . The mound habit and indulgent acerate leaf append yr - round colour , grain , and structure to rockeries , slopes , and Asian - way gardens . Deer find the sharp spiky needles and resinous oils to be distasteful .
Happy Face ® Yellow genus Potentilla . Photo by Proven Winners
POTENTILLA (Pontentillaspp.)
Zones:2 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Bushy or ground cover habitHeight / Spread:3 in to 4 feet tall , 6 in to 5 fundament wideBloom time : Spring to diminish , depending on the variety
This popular landscape bush is valued for its carefree nature , longsighted bloom sentence , and exceptional toughness . plant bring about delicately textured leafage and long - blooming , strawberry mark - like blossom . utilize as a undercoat covering , in mass plantings or borders . cervid avoid genus Potentilla due to the bitter taste and hairy grain of the leaves . Learn potentilla shrubs .
picture : Happy font ® Yellow potentillafrom Proven Winners .
Arctic Fire ® crimson dogwood tree . Photo by : Proven Winners
RED TWIG DOGWOOD (Cornus sericea)
Zones:2 - 8 , depending on the speciesExposure : Full Sunday to fond shadeHabit : Upright spreading habitHeight / Spread:2 to 15 feet tall and wideBloom time : Late leaping
Cornus sericeahas year - stave solicitation , with deciduous foliage , spring - blooming peak , berries , and brilliantly colored stem that light up the winter landscape . Add to a winter garden or native landscape . Though some cornel may be susceptible to cervid damage , violent twig cornel is one of the types least affected . Learn red twig dogwood tree .
Pictured : Arctic Fire ® Red dogwoodfrom Proven Winners .
Paraplu Violet ® Rose of Sharon . Photo by : Proven achiever
ROSE OF SHARON (Hibiscus syriacus)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : upright piano bushy habitHeight / Spread:8 to 12 feet tall , 6 to 10 feet wideBloom clock time : Mid - summer to accrue
Rose of Sharon add an exotic tropical appeal to the landscape painting , with showy cornet - determine bloom . This hardy deciduous shrub can be used as hedging , in foundation plantings and borders . flora produce a glutinous sap , with bitter - tasting leaves that cervid avoid . Rose of Sharon may experience some cervid browse if other solid food is scarce , but will recover quickly from any legal injury . Learn rose of Sharon .
show : Paraplu Violet ® Rose of Sharonfrom Proven Winners .
forked toy Doozie ® Spirea . Photo by : Proven victor
SPIREA (Spiraeaspp.)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sunshine to partial shadeHabit : mound shaggy-coated habitHeight / Spread:2 to 8 feet tall , 2 to 6 feet wideBloom fourth dimension : Spring to summertime
One of the most pop landscape painting plant for its versatility , Spiraeais a hardy deciduous shrub with green or chartreuse leafage and lacy bunch of peak in fountain and summer . Use as hedging , in aggregate plantings or mixed borders . cervid obviate spirea for its smell and fuzzy texture . Learn spiraea .
render : Double Play Doozie ® spireafrom Proven Winners .
Sweet & Lo ™ sweet box . Photo by : Proven Winners
SWEET BOX (Sarcococca hookerianavar.humilis)
Zones:6 - 9Exposure : Partial sun to full shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:1 to 6 feet improbable , 2 to 6 foot wideBloom metre : Mid - wintertime to early spring
Sarococcais a broadleaf evergreen plant shrub grown for the attractive dark - green leaf and intensely fragrant efflorescence that impart interest to the early - time of year landscape . Use as hedge , in a shade border or wintertime garden . Deer are deterred by the scent and leathery leaf .
Pictured : Sweet & Lo ™ mellifluous boxfrom Proven Winners .
Spice Girl ® Korean spicery viburnum . exposure by : Proven Winners
VIBURNUM (Viburnumspp.)
Zones:2 - 11 , depend on the varietyExposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 20 feet improbable , 3 to 12 foot wideBloom time : Mid to late bounce , with some rebloom
Viburnumis a deciduous or evergreen shrub with attractive foliation , flower , berry , and fall color that add together multi - seasonal involvement to the landscape painting . Use as hedging , screening , in foundation planting or border . The redolence and texture are unappealing to deer . Learn viburnum .
project : Spice Girl ® Korean spice viburnumfrom Proven Winners .
Spilled Wine ® weigela . Photo by : Proven Winners
WEIGELA (Weigelaspp.)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:1 to 10 feet tall , 2 to 12 substructure wideBloom time : Mid to tardy spring , with some rebloom
Weigelais an erstwhile - fashioned front-runner , with coloured foliage and clustering of fragrant , tubular bloom that flower in bounce . This deciduous shrub is nearly carefree once established , preferring rich , well - drained ground and unconstipated wet . Deer are repelled by the fragrance and vitriolic predilection of the leave . instruct Weigela florida .
image : splatter Wine ® weigelafrom Proven Winners .
