Bambi. He’s so majestic, and part of the joy of living and gardening in Colorado Springs is watching the deer walk through your yard on a peaceful morning. That is, until Bambi gets hungry and devours your plants! Deer are not picky eaters and with a population of 445,000 in Colorado, it’s a problem many a local plant lovers will run into. Annuals, perennials, and even bulbs are fair game for a snack, but by choosing deer resistant plant materials and spraying safe deer repellants you can enjoy seeing the deer in your yard without feeding the neighborhood herd.
Table of Contents
TL;DR: What Plants do Deer NOT Eat?
Answer:
Deer Resistant Plants
It is important to note that no plant is 100% deer proof. A very hungry animal will eat what it must to survive. These plants are known to perform well amongst hungry deer and rabbit.
Perennials:
Black Eyed Susan
Blanket Flower
Bleeding Heart
Catmint
Columbine
Coneflower
Coreopsis
Gayfeather
Iris
Lily of the Valley
Lupine
May Night Salvia
Russian Sage
Sedum
Shasta Daisy
Yarrow
Annuals:
Alyssum
Bidens
Dusty Miller
Lobelia
Marigold
Salvia
Verbena
Zinnia
Trees:
Crape Myrtle
Maple
Serviceberry
Spruce
White Fir
Bushes & Shrubs:
Blue Mist Spirea
Butterfly Bush
Lilac
Mock Orange
Potentilla
Viburnum
Yarrow, Russian Sage, Barberry, and Coreopsis provide great color.
Bulbs:
Autumn Crocus
Daffodil
Fritillaria
Hyacinth
Deer Favorites to Avoid
- Clematis
- Coleus
- Geraniums
- Hosta
- Pansies
- Petunias
- Tulips
If some of your favorite plants and flowers are in line with what deer love to lunch on you can try a deer repellant spray to deter them. The goal with these sprays is to use both a taste and smell that deer do not like. Often this is a combination of mint, egg, and spices. A variety of these sprays are available at local nurseries or you can attempt to make your own.
Deer deterrent being sprayed on flowers.
