Eight Hardy Perennials Capable of Withstanding Deer's Persistent Nibbles, Even the Most Insatiable browsers
Creating a garden that not only looks beautiful but also deters deer from munching on your plants can be a challenging task. However, by selecting the right perennials, you can maintain a more peaceful outdoor space while adding charm to your garden. Here are eight deer-resistant perennials that can help you achieve this goal:
1. **Lungwort (Pulmonaria)** - Description: A shade-loving perennial with speckled foliage and early spring blooms that change colour as they mature. - Zones: Hardy in zones 4-8. - Features: Deer- and rabbit-resistant, making it a great choice for woodland gardens.
2. **Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)** - Description: Features delicate, heart-shaped flowers in pink to white hues. - Zones: Hardy in zones 3-9. - Features: Offers a mounding habit with fern-like foliage and is deer-resistant.
3. **Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)** - Description: Tall, stately perennial with tubular bells of purple, pink, or white flowers. - Zones: Hardy in zones 4-8. - Features: Deer-resistant and a great choice for adding height to gardens.
4. **Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)** - Description: Known for its soft, grayish-green foliage and purple flowers. - Zones: Hardy in zones 4-8. - Features: Deer-resistant, with a low-growing habit that makes it suitable for borders.
5. **Lenten Rose (Helleborus)** - Description: Evergreen perennial with nodding, bell-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple. - Zones: Hardy in zones 5-8. - Features: Deer-resistant and blooms in late winter to early spring.
6. **Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla)** - Description: Features blue forget-me-not-like flowers in spring and attractive heart-shaped leaves. - Zones: Hardy in zones 3-8. - Features: Deer-resistant and thrives in shade.
7. **Coneflowers (Echinacea)** - Description: Native American perennial known for large, showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. - Zones: Hardy in zones 3-9. - Features: Deer-resistant and a favourite of pollinators.
8. **Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)** - Description: Features red, pink, or purple flowers with a distinctive shape reminiscent of a lip, attracting pollinators. - Zones: Hardy in zones 4-9. - Features: Deer-resistant and thrives in moist soil.
In addition to these, peonies such as Karl Rosenfield and other cultivars are attractive to butterflies but spurned by deer and rabbits. Peonies bloom for four to six weeks and can be grown in USDA zones 3-8 in full sun to partial shade.
Other deer-resistant perennials include New England asters, which can be grown in USDA zones 3-9 in moist but well-drained soil. These late bloomers enliven the garden in late summer to early fall with their hot pink blooms and are resistant to powdery mildew, making them valuable plants for bees and butterflies.
Ligularia, also known as the leopard plant, is a deer-resistant perennial that thrives in dappled shade and is known for its large, green leaves and yellow or maroon foliage accented by yellow/orange flowers. It can be grown in USDA zones 4-8 with moist, well-draining soil.
Orange butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is another deer-resistant perennial that is extremely attractive to butterflies. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and can be found in USDA zones 4-9.
Lastly, Hakone, a deer-resistant perennial, is a type of grass that thrives in USDA zone 5 and up and is known as Japanese forest grass. It is a clumping grass that thrives in partial shade in low-growing individual mounds. Hakonechloa macra, also known as Japanese forest grass, has variegated leaves or brilliantly chartreuse blades.
These perennials, with their unique features and deer-resistant qualities, can help you create a beautiful, peaceful garden that both you and the local wildlife can enjoy.
- Including peonies such as Karl Rosenfield and other cultivars in your garden can be beneficial, as they are not only attractive to butterflies but also spurned by deer and rabbits.
- Furthermore, incorporating perennials like New England asters, ligularia (leopard plant), orange butterfly weed, and Hakone (Japanese forest grass) into your home-and-garden or lifestyle can help create a deer-resistant garden while adding charm to your home-and-garden and providing a haven for pollinators.
