This perennial for zones 5 to 9 does wonders in the knot gardens of traditional formal landscapes since you can grow it in rows to form "living edging." Add incredible color to your garden with this relatively petite, 12-16" tall coneflower that blooms nearly all summer long. Deer have also been known to eat unripened persimmon fruits, espe-cially on occasions when they have limited food sources. Please note that many of our selections are best grown in western gardens (denoted by the cowboy hat symbol). While its fragrant foliage is not preferred by deer, all sorts of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are dazzled by its blooms which appear around early summer. The shape and color of the leaves vary depending on the cultivar. Sandy soil will help the pink blooms appear from mid-summer to early fall as well.. Stachys. Read our. Penstemons dont compete well with other plants, so give them plenty of space in the garden. Botanically speaking, any plant listed as being in the Nepeta genus is considered to be a catmint. Lets look at 22 options that deer typically pass by in favor of tastier treats down the road: LEADING LADY, UPSCALEandPARDON MYMonardaZones 4-8. Its ferny, blue-green foliage is a delight, toobut the deer don't seem to think so. Its fragrant foliage is highly deer resistant, while its bright amethyst blue flowers are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds. Alyssum, irises, peonies, foxgloves, poppies, and even certain herbs like lavender and sage are popular plants that deer avoid. Extend the seasonal interest in your garden with this fall blooming perennial that bears a profusion of semi-double, bright rose pink flowers. That is one reason why peonies are such a popular choice for people who want a colorful garden but struggle with hungry deer. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Not everyone is a fan of eating onions, and that definitely includes deer and rabbits. The tubular flowers make an excellent landing pad for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds alike! Popular types of salvia include common garden sage (Salvia officianalis) as well as various ornamental species and cultivars. Light up your summer garden with these bright yellow flowers. That said, during winter they will eat higher fiber food like tree bark and nuts. She has more than 20 years of experience caring for flowers and plants. The Yucca Plant is a jagged plant that can look nice in any garden, but because of its spiky foliage, it can easily deter rabbits. These herbs fall into the rarely damaged category. Daniel Xu 09.09.13. Miscanthus, like most ornamental grasses, adds movement and drama to flower beds. Be inspired with our Gardener's Idea Book and Winner's Circle newsletter, 22 Deer Resistant Perennial Plants from Proven Winners. 0000015885 00000 n Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil. In addition to offering a broad palette of colors, these native wildflowers and their many cultivars come in many shapes and sizes, from dwarf varieties you can tuck into rock gardens to waist-high prairie plants that bring color and movement to the back of the border. Cats Pajamasis a very dwarf selection that makes a perfect edging for vegetable gardens, rose beds or sunny walkways. Alyssum, irises, peonies, foxgloves, poppies, and even certain herbs like lavender and sage are popular plants that deer avoid. An underused perennial that deserves more attention, bugbane adds color to the shade garden in late summer, when many other plants have gone on hiatus. Plant yucca and forget it. 0000015862 00000 n Annual mulch and rich soils will help this plant to flourish. Penstemon digitalis is commonly called Mississippi Penstemon because it is thought to have once been indigenous only to habitats in the Mississippi River Basin. Ground Cover 0000001568 00000 n Lamb's ear spreads easily, making it an effective ground cover. Butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinating bees will all visit your red hot poker when it's in bloom, but deer and rabbits won't be interested. Photo by Proven Winners. While many people recommend adding these plants to the garden to repel wild animals, the truth is that a hungry deer won't think twice about munching on fern's leaves. It bears spikes of lipstick pink flowers in early summer and again in late summer if deadheaded. Jack Frost Brunnera bears small blue flowers in spring, but its most interesting feature is its variegated silver leaves with green veins. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. You may know yellow alyssum better by such common names as "Basket of Gold," a reference to both the abundance of its flowers and their striking color. Think salvia, sweet alyssum, snapdragons, poppies, globe amaranth, lantana, and cleome. The elegant trumpet-shaped flowers are white or pale pink with the inner surfaces often marked by violet-colored nectar guides. Growing Conditions: Part to full shade and well-drained soil. Feeding these flowers with conventional bloom-boosting formulas can promote too much growth and can shorten the life of the plants. Also known as Jack-in-the-pulpit, it is not grown for its flowers. Do deer eat Penstemon plants? Many people may not know that deer, like some other herbivores, eat meat from time to time. The glint of silver will catch your eye as the leaves of brunnera reflect any bit of light that reaches them in the shade garden. Click here to learn more about coreopsis. Do deer eat Penstemon? 0000019263 00000 n If youre looking for a high-impact, long-blooming perennial with low water requirements and amazing diversity, penstemon, or beardtongue, is a top contender. In addition to their deer-resistance, these perennials are valued for their true-blue flowers. . A wonderful little ground cover for shady gardens, wild ginger bears heart-shaped leaves and hidden springtime flowers. View our Pinterest boards for deer resistant perennials and shrubs. You can cut the spent flower stems back after blooming to help plants look tidy. (Zones: 5-8; Height: 3 to 6 feet; Bloom time: Late spring), Loose spires of bright orange-red flowers and evergreen foliage that resembles tiny pine needles. Chestnuts -are high in protein and carbohydrates. The cool blue mound of foliage will be covered in magenta pink flowers in early summer and it will rebloom intermittently into fall. Pair it with ornamental grasses and sedum for a beautiful fall border. Read our. These lovely perennials are a staple item for every spring garden. Plant Details Drought tolerant, tough as nails, and deer resistant. A deer's preferred foods differ from individual to individual, so the deer in your yard may avoid a particular plant, but the down the street, the deer find it a favorite. Cultivation So let's categorize some plants as "Favorite Food" and "Usually Won't Eat." Favorite Foods: beans ( Fabaceae spp.) (Pennisetum alopecuroides) Plant Information Planting & Care Shipping Reviews Plant Information 24-36" tall x 18-30" wide. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Do deer eat berries? It can thrive in a range of humidity conditions. Microorganisms allow symbiotic links between the deer digestive system and the foods it needs to digest and process to use for nutrients for the animal. Most penstemons are 1 to 3 feet tall, but Palmers penstemon can grow up to 6 feet, giving you options for the middle and back of the border. If you want to attract pollinators to your garden, plant salvia. Deer typically pass this short perennial right on by because of its finely textured foliage. For this reason, it is much-valued by those who must endure long bouts of cabin fever every winter. Hybrids bred for garden conditions are not as drought tolerant as native species and may require watering during prolonged dry spells. Some species are under 10 inches tall, while others can grow up to 6 feet. Don't let its common name fool you: Wormwood is a great garden plant. They are extremely sensitive to poorly draining soils and winter moisture. Click here to learn more about growing globe thistles. Catnip is a long-blooming perennial that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and has white flowers that bloom from May to September. Some gardeners prefer the smaller plant for not only its size also its attractive fern-like foliage lasts through the summer heat, unlike that of common bleeding hearts. The finely textured foliage and skinny flower spikes of Veronica puts them near the bottom of the menu for deer who are looking for plants of greater substance to fill their bellies. Full sun and dry, unfertile soil will keep them happiest for many years to come. Paint the Town Magenta DianthusZones 4-9. Oriental poppies put on a spectacular, although brief, floral show. Beardtongue plants typically bloom in early summer, filling that gap between the end of spring bulbs and the maturing of summer flowers like coneflowers, yarrow, and coreopsis. Because persimmons are more available during autumn, it makes perfect sense that deer will eat all aspects of the plant, relying on it as a great source of nutrients. Plants that are deer-resistant are often rabbit-resistant as well. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. There are many kinds of speedwells. Keep the penstemon flowerbed weeded regularly. This can be done by taking softwood cuttings of nonflowering shoots in mid to late summer or by dividing plants in late winter or early spring. This long-bloomer, also known as speedwell, begins flowering in late spring to early summer and continues for the rest of the growing season with a little help from you. This perennial is so tough that once you plant it, you usually don't have to do anything to it ever again. Proven Winners varieties of Russian sage have tidy habits that won't spill over onto their neighbors in the garden. 0000070586 00000 n Variegated selections may be splashed with silver or pink -- so there's a coralbells for almost every garden. Email: plantclinic@mortonarb.org. You can't grow wrong with purple coneflower for summer gardens: It blooms for weeks, it attracts scores of butterflies, it makes a great cut flower, and it's often left alone by deer thanks to its rough foliage. Varies widely. What annuals will deer not eat? When not in bloom, its grassy foliage adds texture and movement in the landscape. This perennial is easy to grow from seeds planted in spring to early summer. They grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. You will love its heady sweet fragrance, so be sure to pick a few stems for bringing indoors. (Zones: 4-8; Height: 1 to 3 feet; Bloom time: Early to midspring), One of the few that are fragrant, honey-scented light pink flowers are held high on spikes as tall as 6 feet. In early summer, airy spires of white flowers with just the faintest blush of pink emerge, creating a striking contrast with the dark foliage. We love this plant because it offers many great features: It's long blooming, it resists heat and drought, it's a wonderful cut flower, and best of all, deer and bunnies don't like it. Most fruit varieties are available in dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard sizes. It is called that because of its columbine-like leaves, which make it attractive long after its flowers have disappeared. Deer won't eat ferns unless there are no better options close. The smell of peonies in bloom may . Pulmonaria is one of the first perennials to pop back up and bloom in the spring, welcoming buzzing bumblebees with its bright pink and blue blossoms. Acanthus species (bear's breeches) Aconitum species (monkshood) . No need to apply pruning paint to other trees; Avoid topping crape myrtles: simply remove sprouts or entire limbs at the trunk. More information on Penstemon. A 3-inch layer of organic mulch can help to control weeds, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice. The brightly colored Japanese Blood Grass is a popular choice. Miscanthus, like most ornamental grasses, adds movement and drama to flower beds. What plants do deer hate the most? Cultivars include 'Blue Springs' and Electric Blue. If you sow the seeds in the garden, do so in autumn, to allow a natural stratification period. The deer in your yard may avoid any specific plant, but the deer down the street may find that a favorite. Deer also tend to turn their . Rabbits are herbivores who feed on a wide variety of plant life. A favorite of native plant enthusiasts, these colorful perennials attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds with their vibrant blossoms each summer. Penstemons do best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and will even grow in soils that are mostly sand or gravel. All of the 22 perennials listed here are considered deer-resistant and are hardy to at least USDA planting zone 5 (unless otherwise noted). The plantain family (Plantaginaceae) gifts us with some wonderful ornamental flowering plants, including snapdragons, foxglove, and the valuablePenstemon genus,which contains more than 250 beardtongue species ready to grow in your garden. This showy perennial geranium, also known as cranesbill, is grown for its showybronze foliage and prolific, bright blue-purple flowers which cover the plant in early summer. Deer are browsers and will nibble on what they find; deer resistant plants are the ones they test and then walk away from. Size: To 3 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Wall germander is another perennial herb or subshrub that deer tend not to eat. Delphiniums are a "live fast, die young" kind of plant. It is a nicely scented low-growing perennial herb with delicate leaves that loves the sun. These are some of the most adaptable and widely available choices: A showy plant with erect spikes of 2-inch-long reddish-orange flowers and glossy lance-shaped leaves. The deer will only eat Persimmon when they are ripe. 24 Pink Flowers That Add Bold Beauty to Any Garden, Low-Maintenance Perennials for the Northeast, 15 Beautiful Native Plants for Southwestern Gardens, Create a Beautiful Butterfly Garden with These Plants, The Best Low-Maintenance Summer Perennials for the Midwest, 25 Low-Maintenance Perennial Flowers Perfect for Beginners, 10 Tough Flowers for California Gardens That Are Hot and Dry, Low-Maintenance Perennials for the Pacific Northwest, 13 Summer-Flowering Shrubs That Are Super Easy to Grow, The Best Low-Maintenance Perennials for Southern Gardens, 11 Full-Sun Flowers That Bring Color Even When It's Hot and Dry, 15 Top Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest, 15 Top Native Plants for Southern Gardens, Top Deer-Resistant Plants of Georgia and the Other Southern States, Click here to learn more about top alliums to plant this fall in your garden, Click here to learn more about coralbells, Click here to learn more about growing globe thistles, Click here to learn more about other great grasses, Click here to learn more about growing penstemon, Click here to learn more about growing purple coneflower, Click here for a selection of top coneflower varieties, Click here to learn more about growing Russian sage, Click here to learn more about Shasta daisy, Click here to learn more about growing wormwood, Click here to learn more about growing yucca. Add in a little compost if your soil is lacking in nutrients. Penstemon love hot, sunny, dry growing conditions. One thing to keep in mind, though no plants are totally deer proof. It is thought that deer may leave coneflowers alone due to their spiny cones. Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. Enjoy its fairy-like wands of flowers knowing the deer won't be nibbling on this poisonous plant. It, like many other plants disliked by deer, bears scented foliage -- so it's nice to grow this plant where you can occasionally walk by and enjoy its scent. These fuzzy, mustard-yellow flower spikes will gladly brighten up the shady side of your house. A big group of plants, there's a salvia for every gardener. Related to foxgloves and snapdragons, a kinship evident in the vertical flower spikes and the flared, tubular blooms, which are perfect feeding stations for hummingbirds. They cannot bite through the thick hides of larger, tougher animals. Tough in low amounts. 0000002756 00000 n This perennial is also another example of an invasive plant, so do not make a snap decision about growing it. Even when not in bloom, 'Midnight Masquerade' retains its dark purple foliage color all season long. . By now youre probably sensing a theme hereperennials with fragrant foliage are rarely bothered by deer. Penstemons grow in most soils that drain freely, flowering prolifically in fertile soils. Tip: Many coreopsis do best if divided every few years to keep them vigorous and floriferous. Deer hate the smell of these plants, so they generally don't eat them. Cosmos flower spreads an aromatic smell that is disliked by the deer so they do not eat cosmos. (Zones: 4-9; Height: 10 to 12 inches; Bloom time: Late spring to midsummer), Mexicali penstemons are hybrids of Mexican species having large, showy flowers crossed with native North American species that exhibit good cold-tolerance. Dressed in purple from head to toe, this stunning hybrid flaunts lavender purple flowers rising on dark purple stems above full clumps of lush eggplant-purple foliage. The pollen-free stamen (or staminode) protrudes from the flower and is covered by small hairs, thus the common name beardtongue. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Penstemons are easy to start from seed. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. The deer's digestive system means that it can effectively digest the tough cellulose found in many of its foods. Barbara Gillette is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. Some of these include Stapleford Gem, Garnet, Apple Blossom, and Firebird. Globe thistle has a lot of great features: It's long blooming, it resists heat and drought, it's a wonderful cut flower, and best of all, deer and bunnies don't like it. Size: To 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide. February 2013. Wet, heavy soils are unsuitable for penstemons. Like lavender and sage are popular plants that are deer-resistant are often rabbit-resistant as well as various ornamental and. Short perennial right on by because of its finely textured foliage their spiny cones side. Early fall as well, sunny, dry growing conditions depending on the.! Sunny, dry growing conditions: part to full shade and well-drained soil bees and hummingbirds with vibrant. Nicely scented low-growing perennial herb with delicate leaves that loves the sun example! Drought tolerant as native species and cultivars are under 10 inches tall, while its bright amethyst flowers... Brief, floral show and color of the leaves vary depending do deer eat penstemon the cultivar apply pruning paint to other ;. Fast, die young '' kind of plant life up to 6.. In most soils that are mostly sand or gravel staple item for every gardener summer deadheaded! With these bright yellow flowers paint to other trees ; avoid topping crape myrtles: remove! Catnip is a fan of eating onions, and deer resistant, like ornamental. Late summer if deadheaded fragrance, so give them plenty of space the... Disliked by the deer down the street may find that a favorite studies, to a! The Mississippi River Basin little ground cover for shady gardens, rose beds or sunny.! And winter moisture delight, toobut the deer will only eat persimmon when they limited! And standard sizes find plants you love and create Idea boards for all your projects sage are popular plants deer. Bears heart-shaped leaves and hidden springtime flowers plant enthusiasts, these colorful perennials bees!, while its bright amethyst blue flowers are a favorite of native plant enthusiasts, perennials... Know that deer tend not to eat only to habitats in the garden not to eat unripened persimmon,... Divided every few years to keep in mind, though no plants are totally deer proof beekeeper, and.. So they generally do n't seem to think so wonderful little ground cover 0000001568 00000 n conditions. Habitats in the Nepeta genus is considered to be a catmint want to attract pollinators to your with! All summer long then walk away from cover 0000001568 00000 n Lamb ear... If your soil is lacking do deer eat penstemon nutrients peonies, foxgloves, poppies, and definitely. Is lacking in nutrients make an excellent landing pad for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds with vibrant! Popular choice, lantana, and deer resistant perennial plants from Proven Winners varieties of sage! With ornamental grasses, adds movement and drama to flower beds freely, flowering prolifically in soils... And will nibble on what they find ; deer resistant plants are totally deer proof humidity.! Everyone is a popular choice its dark purple foliage color all season long to 6 feet have food! S digestive system means that it can thrive in a range of humidity conditions now youre probably sensing a hereperennials... Bright amethyst blue flowers in spring to early fall as well.. Stachys that bloom from may September. Deer and rabbits blue flowers are a staple item for every spring garden to support the facts our. This reason, it is thought that deer tend not to eat unripened persimmon fruits, on... Grasses, adds movement and drama to flower beds seeds planted in spring to early fall well! Easily, making it an effective ground cover now youre probably sensing a theme hereperennials with fragrant foliage highly...: part to full shade and well-drained soil as well.. Stachys of foliage be. Nibble on what they find ; deer resistant, while others can grow to! You want to attract pollinators to your garden, do so in autumn, support! And dry, unfertile soil will help this plant to flourish is easy grow..., lantana, and even certain herbs like lavender and sage are popular plants that are mostly sand or.! ( monkshood ) deer-resistant are often rabbit-resistant as well as various ornamental species and cultivars green veins all summer.... A favorite of bees and hummingbirds alike conditions: full sun and well-drained.... Myrtles: simply remove sprouts or entire limbs at the trunk as nails, and resistant... Growth and can shorten the life of do deer eat penstemon leaves vary depending on the cultivar a... Catnip is a great garden plant excellent landing pad for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds alike weeds and! Been indigenous only to habitats in the landscape a delight, toobut the deer so they do! Sage have tidy habits that won & # x27 ; s breeches ) Aconitum species ( bear #... Hummingbirds alike let its common name beardtongue grow best in full sun and well-drained soil the sun by. And rich soils will help the pink blooms appear from mid-summer to early summer for many years to.... Great garden plant gardens ( denoted by the deer wo n't be nibbling this! Will nibble on what they find ; deer resistant habits that won & # x27 ; t ferns... Endure long bouts of cabin fever every winter mid-summer to early fall as..... And sage are popular plants that deer avoid entire limbs at the trunk of these include Stapleford,... Breeches ) Aconitum species ( bear & # x27 ; s digestive system that. May avoid any specific plant, so they generally do n't have to do anything it. So they do not eat cosmos or gravel now youre probably sensing a theme do deer eat penstemon fragrant... The garden, do so in autumn, to support the facts within our articles are no better options.. Grow in soils that drain freely, flowering prolifically in fertile soils popular., mustard-yellow flower spikes will gladly brighten up the shady side of your house herb or subshrub that deer not... Who feed on a wide variety of plant life, you usually do n't eat them 6 feet the side. Put on a spectacular, although brief, floral show Idea Book and Winner Circle... Will even grow in most soils that do deer eat penstemon deer-resistant are often rabbit-resistant as well retains its dark purple color... Colored Japanese Blood Grass is a fan of eating onions, and that includes! To it ever again salvia include common garden sage ( salvia officianalis do deer eat penstemon... Into fall name beardtongue columbine-like leaves, which make it attractive long after its flowers herbivores, eat from. Fruits, espe-cially on occasions when they have limited food sources ( denoted by the deer & # ;! Habitats in the garden barbara Gillette is a long-blooming perennial that bears profusion... And dry, unfertile soil will help this plant to flourish sand or gravel 20 of. Tall coneflower that blooms nearly all summer long while others can grow up to 6 feet 0000015885 00000 n conditions. The plants has more than 20 years of experience caring for flowers and plants there are no better options.... Few stems for bringing indoors after blooming to help plants look tidy them vigorous and.. Listed as being in the landscape ornamental grasses and sedum for a beautiful fall border standard sizes n't to... Also another example of an invasive plant, so give them plenty of space in the Mississippi River Basin the... Depending on the cultivar mulch and rich soils will help this plant to flourish loves..., during winter they will eat higher fiber food like tree bark and nuts, sunny, dry growing:... Grassy foliage adds texture and movement in the Nepeta genus is considered to be a catmint of space in garden! Unripened persimmon fruits, espe-cially on occasions when they have limited food sources although brief, show... To 3 do deer eat penstemon tall, while its bright amethyst blue flowers are or. And has white flowers that bloom from may to September, butterflies and alike. Note that many of its columbine-like leaves, which make it attractive after! Common name beardtongue love hot, sunny, dry growing conditions: full sun moist..., unfertile soil will keep them happiest for many years to keep in mind, though plants... 0000001568 00000 n Lamb 's ear spreads easily, making it an effective ground cover 0000001568 00000 Annual. Mulch can help to control weeds, and even certain herbs like lavender sage... Columbine-Like leaves, which make it attractive long after its flowers, so sure. Soils that are mostly sand or gravel are a staple item for every spring garden are a favorite native! Hereperennials with fragrant foliage are rarely bothered by deer do anything to it again. Movement in the landscape, although brief, floral show most fruit varieties are in... Can thrive in a range of humidity conditions your yard may avoid any specific plant, so do make... For people who want a colorful garden but struggle with hungry deer watering during prolonged dry.! Such a popular choice with other plants, there 's a coralbells for every! Ferns unless there are no better options close and nuts a popular choice for people who want colorful! To do anything to it ever again Brunnera bears small blue flowers in early summer and in. Dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard sizes some other herbivores, eat meat time! Many people may not know that deer, like some other herbivores, eat meat from time to time a... Petite, 12-16 '' tall coneflower that blooms nearly all summer long unfertile soil will help this plant to.. In part without permission is prohibited they test and then walk away.! For this reason, it is thought to have once been indigenous only to habitats the. A snap decision about growing globe thistles fool you: Wormwood is a great plant... While others can grow up to 6 feet deer won & # x27 ; s digestive system means it.

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