The influence of deer on gardening in Connecticut has become overwhelming in some areas. The deer seem to prefer the same places the humans do-- that is, the deer problem is worse in heavily populated parts of the state, due apparently to the scarcity of predators. According to Landscape Architect and Site Planner Wesley Lent, ASLA, this dilemma is frustrating not only because of the limited number of plants that resist foraging by deer, but also because they seem to change their minds as to what they favor each season. Without resorting to dangerous pesticides and often ineffective deer fences, Landscape Architects may choose from an often successful planting palette.

Plants Likely to Resist Deer

Trees and Shrubs

Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)

Remonti Spruce (Picea abies remontii)

Japanese Andromeda (Andromeda japonica)

Boxwood (Buxus sp.)

Leucothoe (Leucothoe sp.)

Dwarf Creeping Juniper (Juniperus procumbens nana)

White Spruce (Picea glauca)

American Holly (Ilex opaca)

Inkberry (Ilex glabra)

Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo)

Spirea (Spirea sp.)

Dogwood Species (Cornus sp.)

Forsythia (Forsythia sp.)

Lilac (Syringa sp.)

Barberry (Berberis sp.)

Magnolia (Magnolia sp.)

Sweetfern (Myrica gale)

Ground Covers

Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra)

Myrtle (Vinca minor)

Dead Nettle (Lamium sp.)

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Bungleweed (Ajuga sp.)

Bulbs and Perennials

Daffodil (Narcissus)

Squill (Scilla)

Ornamental Allium (Allium)

Grape Hyacinth (Muscari)

Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa)

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum)

Crocus (Crocus)

Windflower (Anenome)

Ferns

Ornamental Grasses

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Speedwell (Veronica sp.)

Golden-Ray (Ligularia sp.)

Yarrow (Achillea sp.)

Hellebore (Helleborus sp.)

Foxglove (Digitalis sp.)

Monkshood (Aconitum sp.)

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra sp.)

False Spirea (Astilbe sp.)

Globe Thistle (Echinops sp.)

Sea Holly (Eryngium sp.)

Heartleaf Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)

Source: Wesley E. Lent, Landscape Architect

Connecticut Chapter of the ASLA