The best deer-resistant shrubs and trees include boxwood, junipers, pieris, arrowwood viburnum, smoke bush, spirea and spruce. Deer rarely or only lightly browse these plants. No plant is truly deer-proof, though. A hungry deer will eat almost anything, so the smart approach is to choose plants deer usually skip and protect them while they are young.
Why no plant is deer-proof
Every reputable source says the same thing: "deer-resistant" means "eaten less often," not "never eaten." Colorado State University Extension puts it plainly: "A hungry deer will find almost any plant palatable, so no plant is 'deer proof.'"
How much damage you see depends on a few things:
- How many deer live nearby. Oklahoma State University Extension notes that results vary with deer numbers, the season, how tasty the plant is and how much other food is around.
- The time of year. According to University of Minnesota Extension, deer may browse nearly any plant during times of high nutritional stress, like winter. Damage often rises in early spring, when their fat reserves are lowest.
- Where you live. Colorado State University Extension points out that a plant can be damaged rarely in one area and severely in another.
- How new the plant is. Oklahoma State University Extension says new plantings and freshly fertilized plants face more risk than established ones. Tender new growth is simply more appealing.
How deer-resistance ratings work
The most widely used guide is Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance from Rutgers Cooperative Extension in New Jersey. It was built with input from nursery and landscape professionals, extension staff and Master Gardeners in northern New Jersey, an area with heavy deer pressure. Rutgers sorts more than 500 plants into four groups:
- A – Rarely damaged
- B – Seldom severely damaged
- C – Occasionally severely damaged
- D – Frequently severely damaged
Rutgers recommends sticking with A and B plants where deer are a problem. C and D plants need extra protection, such as fencing or repellents. Rutgers also notes that success depends on local deer numbers and weather.
Ratings are a starting point, not a guarantee. Here's a good example of how they can differ by region. Rutgers rates the Rocky Mountain juniper 'Moonglow' as rarely damaged in New Jersey. But Colorado State University Extension lists Rocky Mountain juniper among the plants "often browsed" in Colorado. If you live in the West, check your own state's extension service too.
Deer-resistant evergreen shrubs
Evergreens matter most in winter, when deer have the fewest choices. These groups hold up well.
Boxwood
Rutgers rates common boxwood "A – rarely damaged," and The Morton Arboretum also lists boxwood among shrubs deer tend to avoid. Green Velvet Boxwood forms a rounded, 3 to 4 foot mound and works well for low hedges and foundation beds.
Junipers
Most junipers on the Rutgers list are rated "B – seldom severely damaged," including Blue Star and Youngstown junipers by name. Their prickly, aromatic foliage is not a deer favorite.
- Blue Star Juniper stays a compact 2 to 3 feet tall with steel-blue color all year.
- Youngstown Andorra Juniper is a low, spreading groundcover type that turns plum-purple in winter. It's a good pick for slopes and sunny banks.
Pieris
Japanese pieris is rated "A – rarely damaged" by Rutgers. It's a good evergreen choice for part shade, with drooping clusters of spring flowers. Enchanted Forest® River Run™ Pieris grows 5 to 6 feet tall.
Deer-resistant flowering shrubs
Flowering shrubs aren't off the table in deer country. These groups are rated A or B by Rutgers.
Arrowwood viburnum
Rutgers rates arrowwood viburnum "A – rarely damaged." It's a tough native shrub with white spring flowers and blue berries. Blue Muffin® Arrowwood Viburnum is a compact 5 to 7 foot form. Note that not every viburnum rates as high, so check the species.
Smoke bush
Smoke tree is rated "B" by Rutgers and appears on The Morton Arboretum's deer-resistant shrub list. Royal Purple Smoke Bush has deep purple leaves and fluffy, smoke-like summer plumes.
Spirea
Japanese spirea and its hybrids are rated "B" by Rutgers, and The Morton Arboretum lists spirea as a deer-resistant shrub. Double Play® Candy Corn® Spiraea stays under 3 feet, with candy-colored new leaves and purple flowers.
Rose of Sharon
Rutgers rates rose of Sharon "B." It blooms in late summer when few shrubs do. Purple Pillar® Rose of Sharon grows narrow and upright, so it fits tight spaces.
Red twig dogwood
Red-osier dogwood is rated "B" by Rutgers. Its bright stems stand out in winter snow. Arctic Fire® Red Twig Dogwood stays a compact 3 to 5 feet. Keep in mind that flowering dogwood trees rate lower (C), so this rating applies to the shrub types.
Deer-resistant trees
Trees face two threats from deer: browsing on low branches, and bucks rubbing their antlers on young trunks in fall. Even a resistant tree needs a guard while it's young (more on that below). These trees are rated "B – seldom severely damaged" by Rutgers.
- Spruce. Rutgers rates Colorado blue spruce "B," and The Morton Arboretum includes spruce on its deer-resistant tree list. Baby Blue Eyes Spruce is a smaller blue spruce, reaching 15 to 30 feet.
- Upright junipers. Chinese juniper selections and eastern red cedar are both rated "B." Spartan Juniper grows into a dense 15 to 20 foot column, useful as a screen.
- Japanese maple. Rated "B" by Rutgers. Bloodgood Japanese Maple holds deep red leaves through summer and reaches about 15 feet.
- Tulip tree and crape myrtle. Tulip tree (tulip poplar) is rated "B" by Rutgers and listed by The Morton Arboretum. Crape myrtle is also rated "B."
Plants deer love (plan to protect these)
Some of the most popular landscape plants are on the Rutgers "D – frequently severely damaged" list. That doesn't mean you can't grow them. It means they need protection where deer are common.
- Eastern arborvitae (the species behind Emerald Green and many other privacy arborvitae) is rated D.
- Yews are rated D.
- Many rhododendrons and azaleas are rated C or D.
- Hydrangeas, hybrid roses, flowering dogwood and redbud are rated C.
If you're planning a privacy screen in deer country, our guide to fast-growing evergreens for privacy can help you compare options, and a fence or repellent plan is a must for arborvitae.
How to protect new plantings from deer
Young plants are the most vulnerable, even deer-resistant ones. A little protection for the first two or three years lets them grow past the point where deer can do serious harm.
1. Fence the area if pressure is heavy
Fencing is the most reliable option. Colorado State University Extension calls adequate fencing "the only sure way to control deer damage." For large areas, University of Minnesota Extension and Iowa State University Extension both recommend fences at least 8 feet tall. For small areas, both note a 50-inch fence can keep deer out. Woven wire or mesh is durable and easy to install, per Iowa State.
2. Put guards around young tree trunks
In late summer and fall, bucks rub their antlers on young trunks and can strip the bark. Iowa State University Extension recommends having barriers in place by mid-August and making them at least 6 feet tall. A simple method: drive three sturdy stakes around the tree, no more than 18 inches apart, and wrap them with fencing. University of Minnesota Extension advises keeping fencing or tree guards up from August through December.
3. Use repellents, and switch them up
Repellents come in two types. Contact repellents are sprayed on the plant and make it taste bad. Area repellents use smell to keep deer away. Oklahoma State University Extension reports that taste-based products generally worked better than odor-based ones, and repellents made with rotten egg solids were among the most effective. Colorado State University Extension says a spray of 20 percent whole eggs and 80 percent water is one of the most effective repellents.
A few tips from University of Minnesota and Iowa State extension services:
- Reapply often, because new growth isn't protected.
- Reapply after rain.
- Apply when it's dry and above freezing.
- Rotate between products so deer don't get used to one.
4. Use plant placement to your advantage
Colorado State University Extension suggests planting the tastiest plants close to the house and surrounding them with less-preferred ones. A ring of junipers, boxwood or spirea won't stop a determined deer, but it can make a tempting plant harder to reach.
5. Plant at the right time
Planting in early fall gives roots time to establish before spring growth. See why fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. Just remember that fall is also antler-rubbing season, so get trunk guards on new trees right away.
Common questions
What is the most deer-resistant shrub?
On the Rutgers list, shrubs rated "A – rarely damaged" include boxwood, barberry, butterfly bush, Japanese pieris, bayberry and arrowwood viburnum. Even these can be eaten when deer are very hungry.
Are hydrangeas deer-resistant?
Not really. Rutgers rates bigleaf, smooth, panicle and oakleaf hydrangeas "C – occasionally severely damaged." Plan on fencing or repellents if deer visit your yard.
Do deer eat arborvitae?
Yes, often. Rutgers rates eastern arborvitae "D – frequently severely damaged." It's one of the plants most likely to be stripped in winter.
What evergreen trees do deer not eat?
Spruce, pine and many junipers are rated A or B by Rutgers, and The Morton Arboretum lists spruce as deer-resistant. Dwarf Alberta spruce is rated "A – rarely damaged."
Do deer-resistant plants still need protection?
Young ones often do. New plantings and tender growth are more appealing, so a guard or repellent during the first few years is cheap insurance.
Find deer-resistant shrubs for your yard
Start with the plants rated A and B, then check that they fit your climate. Your USDA hardiness zone, a number based on your area's average coldest winter temperature, tells you which plants will survive your winters. Look yours up in our growing zone guide, then browse our full shrubs collection, including evergreen shrubs and flowering shrubs.
Sources and further reading
- Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
- Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance (Publication E271), Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
- How to manage deer damage on trees and other plants, University of Minnesota Extension
- How to Protect Trees and Shrubs from Animal Damage Over Winter, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Ornamental and Garden Plants: Controlling Deer Damage, Oklahoma State University Extension
- Preventing Deer Damage, Colorado State University Extension
- Deer-Resistant Plants, The Morton Arboretum
