DEER RESISTANT PLANTS Recommended for Central and Southeastern NC Landscapes Charlotte Glen, NC Cooperative Extension—Chatham County Center

Home , Bee, Crataegus, Deer, Hypoestes phyllostachya, Lagerstroemia, Lonicera sempervirens

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Tips on Deer and Plants eer can wreak havoc on a D  No plant is deer proof! When hungry, deer will eat landscape in a matter of just a few anything to survive. During stressful times such as nights. There are many options to drought, plants that are usually avoided may be reduce the risk of deer damage in damaged. landscapes, such as applying repellents on a regular basis and  Deer will eat almost anything in spring, as tender restricting access through the use of new growth emerges from plants. Deer prefer fencing. One of the easiest ways to vegetation that is soft to the touch and high in water content. They especially relish flower buds. reduce deer damage in your yard is to landscape with plants deer prefer not to eat. This  Over fertilized and over watered plants are fact sheet is intended to serve as a guide for particularly lush and appealing to deer. choosing landscape plants resistant to deer feeding  Deer resistant does not mean deer proof! in North Carolina. Since a starving deer will eat any- These are plants deer prefer not to eat. Common thing to stay alive, no plant is guaranteed! characteristics of plants that deer prefer not to eat

include: Deer Feeding Preferences The plants deer prefer to eat vary from region to  Plants with thorny or prickly leaves or stems region and can even change seasonally. In the lists on the following pages, deer feeding preferences are  Plants with strong scents and pungent classified as follows: tastes, such as herbs

 Plants that are poisonous or produce thick, Frequently Damaged latex-like sap Plants that are deer favorites. These are the first  Plants with hairy leaves plants deer will seek to feed upon.

Occasionally Damaged These are the plants deer will turn to once their Table of Contents favorites are depleted. Trees ...... 2 Seldom Damaged Evergreen Shrubs ...... 3 Plants that deer will rarely eat unless there are no Palms ...... 3 other options. Plants that are in bold print are Deciduous Shrubs ...... 4 extremely resistant to deer feeding. Ornamental Grasses ...... 4 Using a combination of a variety of methods to Groundcovers ...... 5 deter deer will give the most dependable results. To Ferns ...... 5 find out more about additional strategies to mini- Vines ...... 5 mize deer damage in your landscape, visit the online Perennials ...... 6 publications listed in the Learn More section at the Bulbs ...... 7 end of this fact sheet. Annuals ...... 7 2 LANDSCAPE TREES

Occasionally Damaged Deer injure trees in Common Name Scientific Name two ways: By eating Japanese Maple Acer palmatum foliage and twigs, and Red Maple* Acer rubrum by rubbing against Serviceberry* Amelanchier species the bark with their Dogwood* Cornus florida antlers, which is Kousa Dogwood Cornus kousa especially damaging Witch Hazel Hamamelis species to young trees or those with thin bark. Wire cylinders and other ‘Foster's’ Holly* protective devices are available to protect the ‘Savannah’ Holly* Ilex x attenuata hybrids trunks of young trees from this type of damage. ‘East Palatka’ Holly* ‘Nellie Stevens’ Holly Ilex x ‘Nellie Stevens’ Goldenrain Tree Koelreuteria paniculata The shape and mature size of a tree will great- Saucer Magnolia Magnolia soulangiana ly determine its susceptibility to grazing dam- Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides age. Damage is most common on trees that are Bradford Pear Pyrus calleryana either young and still small enough to reach, Oaks* Quercus species those that are low branched, or those that do Willows Salix species not grow very large. In deer prone landscapes, trees that grow tall and hold their branches high are the best choice, though they may need Seldom Damaged to be protected until they are tall enough to be Common Name Scientific Name out of a deer’s reach. Trees can be protected Red Buckeye* Aesculus pavia individually with wire cages, or planted in an River Birch* Betula nigra area of the landscape that is fenced off. Deodar Cedar Cedrus deodora Hawthorn* Crataegus species Japanese Cedar Cryptomeria japonica * = Plants native to the Southeastern USA Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba Bold plants are particularly resistant to deer Honey Locust* Gleditsia triacanthos feeding American Holly* Ilex opaca Eastern Redcedar* Juniperus virginiana Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia hybrids Frequently Damaged Southern Magnolia* Magnolia grandiflora Common Name Scientific Name Sweetbay Magnolia* Magnolia virginica Redbud* Cercis canadensis Black Gum* Nyssa sylvatica Atlantic White Cedar* Chamaecyparis thyoides Pines* Pinus species Fringe Tree, Chionanthus virginicus Carolina Cherrylaurel* Prunus caroliniana Old Man’s Beard* Japanese Flowering Cherry Prunus serrulata Crabapples Malus species Live Oak* Quercus virginiana Cherries and Plums Prunus species Bald Cypress* Taxodium distichum Pears Pyrus species Chastetree Vitex agnus-castus 3 EVERGREEN SHRUBS

Seldom Damaged Occasionally Damaged Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Abelia Abelia x grandiflora Camellias Camellia species and varieties Century Plant Agave americana Loquat Eriobotrya japonica Wintergreen Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus Berberis julianae Barberry Japanese Holly Ilex crenata Japanese Boxwood Buxus microphylla Mahonia Mahonia bealei Bottlebrush Callistemon rigidus Viburnum Viburnum species and varieties Plum Yew Cephalotaxus harringtonia Eleagnus Eleagnus pungens Frequently Damaged Pineapple Guava Acca sellowiana Common Name Scientific Name Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides Japanese Euonymous Euonymous japonicus Chinese Holly Ilex cornuta Wintercreeper Euonymous fortunei Inkberry Ilex glabra Fatsia Fatsia japonica Dwarf Yaupon Ilex vomitoria dwarf cultivars Aucuba Aucuba japonica Anise Shrub Illicium species Indian Hawthorn Raphiolepis species and varieties Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis Pittosporum Pittosporum tobira Leucothoe Leucothoe species Azaleas Rhododendron species and varieties Japanese Privet Ligustrum japonicum Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis Loropetalum Loropetalum chinensis Banana Shrub Michelia fuscata Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera PALMS Nandina Nandina domestica As a group, palms are very resistant to deer feed- Oleander Nerium oleander ing. The following palms are hardy in southeastern Osmanthus fragrans North Carolina and make interesting landscape addi- Tea Olive Osmanthus heterophyllus tions.

Southern Yew Podocarpus macrophyllus TRUNK FORMING PALMS Pyracantha Pyracantha species and varieties Windmill Palm, Trachycarpus fortunei Jelly or Pindo Palm, Butia capitata Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Palmetto or Cabbage Palm*, Sweet Box Sarcococca species Sabal palmetto

Yucca Yucca species SHRUB FORMING PALMS Dwarf Palmetto*, Sabal minor Needle Palm*, Rhapidophyllum hystrix * = Plants native to the Southeastern USA Mediterranean Fan Palm,

Chamaerops humilis Bold plants are particularly resistant to deer feeding

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS 4

Frequently Damaged ORNAMENTAL Common Name Scientific Name Burning Bush Euonymous alata GRASSES

Roses Rosa species and hybrids Blueberries* Vaccinium species In general, ornamental grasses are avoided by deer Occasionally Damaged and should be considered highly resistant to deer grazing. There are lots of different types of Common Name Scientific Name ornamental grasses available. Most are long lived and tough, making attractive and low maintenance Flowering Quince Chaenomeles speciosa additions to the landscape. They provide a nice Smokebush Cotinus coggyria contrast to shrubs and can be planted in mass as a groundcover. The following ornamental grasses are Forsythia, Forsythia x intermedia Yellowbells recommended for this region:

Hydrangea macrophyllus Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata Korean Feather Virginia Sweetspire* Itea virginica Reed Grass Calamagrostis brachytricha Japanese Spirea Spiraea x bumalda, Spiraea japonica River Oats* Thunberg Spirea Spiraea thunbergia Chasmanthium latifolium Viburnum Viburnum species Pampas Grass Weigela Weigela florida Cortaderia selloeana

Seldom Damaged Maiden Grass Miscanthus sinensis Common Name Scientific Name Japanese Barberry Berberis thunbergii Pink Muhly Grass* Muhlenbergia capillaris Butterflybush Buddleia davidii Panic Grass* Sweetshrub* Calycanthus floridus Panicum virgatum

American Beautyberry* Callicarpa americana Fountain Grass Blue Mist Shrub Caryopteris x clandonensis Pennisetum alopecuriodes Clethra, Pepperbush* Clethra alnifolia & Pennisetum orientale

Deutzia Deutzia gracilis

Fothergilla* Fothergilla gardenii For more information about these and other Winter Jasmine Jasminum nudiflorum ornamental grasses, search NC Cooperative Extension Plants Database: Kerria Kerria japonica https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/

Spring Flowering Spiraea cantoniensis, S. nipponica, Spireas Spiraea x vanhouttei In addition to grasses, the database also includes trees, shrubs, herbs, perennials, bulbs, edible * = Plants native to the Southeastern USA plants, natives, ferns, and many more! Bold plants are particularly resistant to deer feeding VINES AND GROUNDCOVERS 5

Frequently Damaged MORE GROUNDCOVER POSSIBILITIES Common Name Scientific Name There are many perennials, Clematis Clematis species and hybrids ornamental grasses, and low growing Wintercreeper Euonymous fortunei shrubs that make excellent English Ivy Hedera helix groundcovers when planted in large groups.

Occasionally Damaged To find more plants recommended for use as groundcovers in North Carolina, search the Common Name Scientific Name NC Cooperative Extension Plants Database: Trumpet Vine* Campis radicans https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/ Goldflame Honeysuckle Lonicera x heckrottii In addition to groundcovers, the database also includes Clumping Liriope Liriope muscari trees, shrubs, herbs, perennials, bulbs, edible plants, Spreading Liriope Liriope spicata natives, ferns, and many more! Virginia Creeper* Parthenocissus quinquifolia Lady Banks Rose Rosa banksia Japanese Wisteria Wisteria floribunda FERNS

Seldom Damaged Deer rarely browse fern foliage, making them an excellent addition to deer ravaged landscapes. Most Common Name Scientific Name ferns prefer shade and moist soil and are attractive Ajuga, Bugleweed Ajuga reptans combined with shrubs and perennials or used as a groundcover. The following ferns are recommended Crossvine* Bignonia capreolata for southeastern North Carolina. Climbing Fig Ficus pumila EVERGREEN FERNS Carolina Jessamine Gelsemium sempervirens Autumn Fern, Junipers Juniperus species Dryopteris erythrosora Christmas Fern*, Coral Honeysuckle* Lonicera sempervirens Polystichum acrostichoides Patridgeberry* Mitchella repens Florida Shield Fern*, Dryopteris ludoviciana Mondo Grass Ophiopogon japonicus Holly Fern, Cherokee Rose Rosa laevigata Cyrtomium falcatum Tassel Fern, Rosmarinus officinalis Creeping Rosemary Polystichum polyblepharum ‘Prostratus’ DECIDUOUS FERNS Star Jasmine Trachelopsermum asiaticum Southern Maidenhair Fern*, Adiantum capillus-veneris Confederate Jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides Lady Fern*, Athyrium filix-femina Large Leaf Periwinkle Vinca major Japanese Painted Fern, Athyrium nipponicum var. pictum Royal Fern*, Osmunda regalis Periwinkle, Vinca Vinca minor Cinnamon Fern*, Osmunda cinnamomea Southern Shield Fern*, Thelypteris kunthii *= Plants native to the Southeastern USA

Bold plants are particularly deer resistant 6 PERENNIALS

Frequently Damaged Seldom Damaged Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Daylilies Hemerocallis species and hybrids Yarrow Achillea species and hybrids Hosta Hosta species and varieties Blue Star* Amsonia species Columbine Aquilegia species Occasionally Damaged ‘Powis Castle’ Artemisia x ‘Powis Castle’ Artemisia Common Name Scientific Name Shasta Daisy Chrysanthemum x superbum Butterflyweed* Asclepias tuberosa Hardy Ice Plant Delosperma cooperi Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra elatior Gerbera Daisy Gerbera jamesonii False Indigo* Baptisia species Hardy Hibiscus* Hibiscus moscheutos Angel’s Trumpet Brugmansia species and hybrids Evergreen Candytuft Iberis sempervirens Leadwort Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Iris Iris species and hybrids Green and Gold* Chrysogonum virginianum Phlox* Phlox species Coreopsis* Coreopsis species and hybrids Black Eyed Susan* Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldstrum’ Dianthus Dianthus gratianopolitanus Sedum Sedum species Purple Coneflower* Echinacea purpurea Stoke's Aster* Stokesia laevis Joe Pye Weed* Eupatorium dubium Verbena* Verbena canadensis Gaura* Gaura lindheimeri Speedwell, Veronica Veronica spicata Blanket Flower Gaillardia x grandiflora Lenten Rose Helleborus orientalis Coralbells, Alumroot* Heuchera species and hybrids HERBS AS ORNAMENTALS Deer tend to avoid plants with strong fragrances, which Red Hot Poker Kniphofia species makes perennial herbs great choices for deer prone land- Lantana Lantana species scapes. In general, herbs grow best in full sun and well drained soils. The following perennial herbs are attractive Sleeping Hibsicus* Malvaviscus drummondii in the landscape and grow well in Bee Balm* Monarda didyma southeastern NC. Catmint Nepeta species and hybrids Thyme, Thymus species Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare Russian Sage Perovskia hybrids and varieties Sage, Salvia officianalis Mexican Petunia Ruellia brittoniana Chives, Allium schoenoprasum Oregano, Oreganum species Texas Sage* Salvia greggii Mint Marigold, Tagetes lucida Anise Sage Salvia guaranitica Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare Anise Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum Mexican Bush Sage Salvia leucantha Southernwood, Artemisia abrotanum Purple Heart Setcreasia purpurea Mexican Oregano, Poliomentha longiflora French or Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas ‘Fireworks’ Goldenrod* Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ Lavender Cotton, Santolina chamaecyparissus and S. virens Lamb's Ear Stachys byzantina

Also, annual herbs such as basil, Cuban oregano, and Society Garlic Tuhlbughia violacea perilla make great additions to containers or bedding Prickly Pear * Opuntia species displays! 7 ANNUALS ZONING Frequently Damaged DEER OUT Common Name Scientific Name OF THE Celosia Celosia argentea Impatiens Impatiens species LANDSCAPE

Sweet Potato Ipomoea batatas Sometimes there are plants you just want to grow no matter Johnny Jump Ups Viola tricolor what. Maybe it was one of your mother’s favorites or some- thing that reminds you of a special occasion in your life. What Pansies Viola x wittrockiana happens if you have deer problems and one of your ‘can’t live without it’ plants happens to be a deer favorite? Fencing off Occasionally Damaged you entire yard can be very expensive, while constantly reap- plying repellents soon becomes a time consuming task. Common Name Scientific Name One approach creative gardeners have borrowed from the Flowering Kale Brasscia oleacea xeriscape concept is to divide the landscape into zones. Deer Sunflowers Helianthus annuus prone plants are only planted in areas closest to the house, that are easiest to manage intensely. This zone is either Moss Rose, Purslane Portulaca species protected from deer by fencing or regular application of Mexican Sunflower Tithonia rotundifolia repellents. In the area furthest away from the house only highly deer resistant plants are used. In the mid-zone, or area between, less resistant plants can be used with the Seldom Damaged understanding that they may receive occasional damage.

Common Name Scientific Name Ageratum Ageratum houstonianum Snapdragons Antirrhinum majus BULBS Begonia Begonia semperflorens Frequently Damaged Ornamental Peppers Capsicum species Tulips and Crocus are deer favorites! Neither perennialize Cleome Cleome hassleriana well in this area and should be treated like annuals. Summer blooming lilies are also frequently eaten by deer. Coleus Solenostemon scutellariodes

Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus Occasionally Damaged Grape hyacinths (Muscari species) and Polka Dot Plant Hypoestes phyllostachya dahlias are both occasionally browsed by Melampodium Melampodium padulosum deer. Both perennialize fairly well in southeastern North Carolina. Pentas Pentas lanceolata

Cuban Oregano Plectranthus species Seldom Damaged Mealycup Sage Salvia farinacea Many of the bulbs that come back reliably year after year in this area are also deer Marigold Tagetes species resistant. Spring blooming perennial bulbs Curry Plant Helichrysum angustifolium include daffodils, summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivalis), Amaryllis, Spanish Vinca Catharanthus roseus bluebells, and starflower (Ipheion uniflora). Dusty Miller Senecio cineraria Deer resistant summer blooming perennial bulbs include Ag- Zinnias Zinnia species apanthus, Crinum lilies, and Crocosmias. Petunias Petunia species 8 LEARN MORE!

To learn more about managing deer and reducing damage through resistant plant landscaping, fencing, repellents, and other options visit:

http://go.ncsu.edu/managingdeer

For More Information about the plants listed and other garden and landscape topics:

For more detailed information about each plant and to see images, visit the NC Cooperative Extension online Plant Database: http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/

Visit NC Cooperative Extension’s Gardening Portal for all your garden, lawn and landscape information needs: https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/

Visit your local Cooperative Extension center to learn more about gardening and landscape care. Find your local Extension center at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/

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Prepared by: Charlotte Glen, Agriculture Agent – Horticulture North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Chatham County Center

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Created June 2006 Updated 9/24/2015