Deer-Resistant Shrubs for USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9

Deer can be a significant challenge for home gardeners, especially in areas where their populations are high. While no shrub is entirely deer-proof, there are many that deer tend to avoid; some of these are native, while others are non-native shrubs.

Are Native Shrubs More Deer-Resistant?

Native shrubs often co-evolve with local wildlife, developing defenses that make them unpalatable to browsing animals. However, the level of deer resistance depends more on the plant’s specific traits rather than its origin. Non-native shrubs with similar deterrent qualities can also be effective in deer-heavy areas. The key is understanding that deer tend to avoid plants with the following characteristics:

• Strong scents
• Fuzzy, leathery, or spiny leaves
• Bitter tasting

While native shrubs are generally a good choice due to their ecological benefits, selecting plants based on their known resistance to deer is the most effective strategy.

Recommended Deer-Resistant Shrubs

• American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
  Native
  Produces clusters of fragrant flowers and edible berries. Its strong scent and rapid growth deter deer. Grows best in full sun to partial shade with moist soil.
• Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
  Native
  Features toothed leaves, white flowers, and blue-black berries, all of which deer dislike. Grows best in full sun to partial shade, with moist soil.
• Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)
  Native
  The aromatic leaves and waxy berries make it unattractive to deer. It is semi-evergreen and salt-tolerant. Grows best in full sun to partial shade in sandy or well-drained soil.
• Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.)
  Non-Native
  Known for its vibrant purple berries, deer avoid beautyberry due to its coarse foliage. Grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.
• Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
  Non-Native
  This shrub’s dense, evergreen foliage and strong scent make it unappealing to deer. These shrubs are perfect for hedges or as standalone features in formal gardens. Grows best in partial to full sun with well-drained soil.
• Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera)
  Native
  This rugged, drought-tolerant shrub features yellow, trumpet-shaped summer flowers that attract pollinators and bronzy-red fall foliage for seasonal color. Its bitter-tasting leaves and woody stems discourage deer, making it ideal for landscapes prone to browsing. Grows best in full sun to part shade in a wide range of soils.
• Chokeberry (Aronia)
  Native
  This hardy shrub features white spring flowers, glossy berries, and brilliant red fall foliage, providing year-round beauty and wildlife benefits. Its bitter, astringent berries and tough, leathery leaves make it unappealing to deer, who tend to avoid it in favor of tastier options. Grows best in full sun and slightly acidic soil.
• Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’)
  Native
  This compact evergreen has dense, sharp needles that deter deer. It’s an excellent option for small spaces. Grows best in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Fothergilla (Fothergilla spp.)
  Native
  Fothergilla dazzles with honey-scented, bottlebrush white flowers in spring and vibrant fall foliage in shades of orange, red, and yellow. Its thick, textured leaves and slightly bitter taste make it resistant to deer browsing. Grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers consistently moist, acidic, well-draining soil.
• Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
  Native
  The prickly foliage and intense aroma of juniper make it one of the most deer-resistant shrubs available. Grows best in full sun with dry to average soil.
• Lilac (Syringa spp.)
  Non-Native
  Lilacs’ fragrant flowers and coarse leaves make them unappealing to deer. Grows best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
• Mock Orange (Philadelphus spp.)
  Native and Non-Native Species
  Known for its fragrant white flowers, mock orange has woody stems and a strong scent that repels deer. Grows best in full sun with average soil.
• Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
  Native
  A tough native shrub with peeling bark, colorful foliage, and small flowers. Deer rarely browse on its bitter leaves. Grows best in full sun to partial shade and is adaptable to various soils.
• Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
  Native
  A native shrub with striking red stems in winter. Deer tend to avoid its tough, fibrous foliage. Grows best in full sun to partial shade with moist soil.
• Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
  Native
  This aromatic shrub offers early yellow flowers and bright red berries, and serves as a host plant for spicebush swallowtail butterflies. The strong, spicy scent of its leaves and stems makes it less appealing to deer, who prefer milder-tasting foliage. Grows best in partial shade in moist, well-draining soil.
• Spirea (Spiraea spp.)
  Non-Native
  Spirea offers colorful foliage and clusters of delicate flowers. Deer typically avoid its coarse, woody stems. Grows best in full sun with average soil.
• Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
  Native
  This native shrub produces fragrant flowers in late summer and has tough, deer-resistant foliage. Grows best in full sun to part shade in moist (even boggy), acidic soil.
• Viburnum (Viburnum spp.)
  Native and Non-Native Species
  Many viburnum species have textured leaves, strong scents, or bitter-tasting fruits that deer avoid. Grows best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil.
• Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
  Native
  With cascading white flower spikes in late spring and vibrant red, orange, and purple foliage in fall, Virginia Sweetspire adds multi-season interest to the garden. Deer typically avoid it due to its slightly bitter leaves and dense, woody stems. Grows best in full sun to part shade in moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil.
• Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
  Native
  A deciduous holly with bright red berries in winter. Deer typically avoid its bitter leaves. Grows best in full sun to partial shade in moist, acidic soil.

Tips for Maximizing Deer Resistance

1. Diversify Plantings: Incorporate a mix of deer-resistant shrubs to reduce the chance of significant damage if deer decide to sample one.
2. Use Deterrents: Supplement plant choices with deer repellents, fencing, or netting for added protection.
3. Group Plants Strategically: Place highly deer-resistant shrubs along the perimeter to protect less resistant plants.
4. Maintain Healthy Plants: Healthy, vigorous shrubs recover better from occasional browsing.

Deer-resistant shrubs provide an excellent foundation for a resilient and beautiful home landscape. By choosing plants with textures, scents, and tastes that deer dislike, gardeners can enjoy a thriving landscape with minimal wildlife damage. Native shrubs are an excellent choice for their ecological benefits, but non-native options can also add diversity and functionality to deer-prone areas.