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Deer Resistant

Deer Resistant Plants For The East

Deer Resistant Plants For The East - Nature Hills Nursery

Nature Hills Nursery |

If you live in the Eastern growing zones and seem to be in a constant battle with your backyard deer, we have the perfect plants for you to add to your landscape-- specifically the perfect deer resistant plants. Gone are the days of peeled off tree bark, broken branches and devoured flowers.

But, before we dive in too deep, Nature Hills would like to state that there are no 100% deer proof plants-- only plants that deer seldomly bother compared to others. If deer populations are running high and their natural food sources are limited, deer are more likely to browse on any plant of their choice.

When adding a new plant into an area, you may see that deer are inclined to sample it, merely to see if they like it or not. We suggest spraying a deer repellent on all newly established plants, just to remind the local deer that they in fact don’t like the taste of the new plant.

If your trees have already fallen to a case of deer rubbing their antlers on the trunks creating a vulnerable tree, read How To Protect Trees From Deer Damage.

Now back to it, we have outlined below five plant varieties that are known to be specimens deer don't particularly enjoy eating and that strive in the Eastern growing zones:

Honeylocust Trees

Whether you are a tree enthusiast or an amateur, Honeylocust Trees are quite possibly one of the easiest trees to identify. It’s commonly planted as an ornamental specimen, but it can also double as a nice semi-shade tree in the backyard.

You’ll notice that these trees have alternating leaves that allow for a little extra light to shine through. Making it the perfect canopy for other plants to flourish underneath-- or a comfy hammock!

A true hidden gem of Honeylocust Trees is their adaptable stature. They will grow well in both urban conditions and in wide open meadows. They prefer moist, well-drained soil, but can also tolerate a drought.

If you’re wanting a marvelous back or front yard tree, look no further. Honeylocust Trees are hardy, handsome and deer don’t prefer the taste of Honeylocust. That calls for endless summer barbeques spent with neighbors who envy your tree.

Our Most Popular Selections:

  • Sunburst® Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Suncole')
  • Imperial Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis 'Impcole')

Evergreen Shrub Selections

Evergreen Shrubs bring the power of structure to every landscape. From rounded to vertical foundations, you can use these shrubs to the best of their abilities.

Not to mention, you’ll be gaining a forever green shrub that is easy to care for and extremely hardy. Evergreen Shrubs can be seen in modern landscape designs, such as within a showy outdoor container that greets a patio.

Or, use them as accent topiary in every foundation planting. Our favorite use is anchoring our patio plantings with a few evergreens here and there.

A majority of our Evergreen Shrub selections are disease resistant and deer resistant. To further ensure this, apply a deer repellent spray upon planting and after!

Our Most Popular Selections:

Ferns

Once you have a Fern-- or a few, you’ll never go back. We assume that’s how it’s always been considering they are ancient plants dating clear back to prehistoric times. Who wants to grow a piece of history in their yard? We do!

Although most commonly known for being a house plant, Ferns are also used as landscape plants and cut foliage. Shadier gardens are ideal locations for these plants as they prefer to be protected from the sun and wind.

The green foliage pairs well with other natural specimens that grow in their hardiness zones. Use Ferns for a balancing act to color gardens!

It’s relatively easy to care for Ferns, but be patient. They grow slowly, yet surely! You won’t find deer damage on your plants either as Ferns tend to be deer resistant. They really are the perfect plant.

Our Most Popular Selections:

Ornamental Grasses

Nothing gets better than plants that are: vibrant and colorful, extremely hardy, provide year round interest AND are easy to maintain. Not to mention, come with the additional feature of being deer resistant. But where would you ever find a perfect plant like that?

Allow us to highlight Ornamental Grasses as one of the absolutely, positively “have to have” landscape additions. With so many options that each provide the above garden benefits, you can use Ornamental Grasses in every way you wish to! Whether that be for texture, form or color.

They can be found as focal points among gardens that sit next to a small pond or as an eye-catching background that stands a few feet taller than the landscape ground covers and shrubs.

Ornamental Grasses can handle the heat and humidity that comes with being placed in full sun. These natural specimens will tolerate harsh conditions, along with higher altitudes.

However, they won’t tolerate a few deer picking at them. You will find that several grasses are plants that deer find not inviting. For all of your gardening projects, Ornamental Grasses should be heavily included!

Our Most Popular Selections:

Catmint

For an easy to care for perennial, Catmint is a shoe in winner being drought tolerant with lavender blossoms that last through multiple seasons. It tolerates various soil conditions and thrives in even the toughest weather conditions.

You may have seen hummingbirds, butterflies and even cats going a good type of crazy at the sight-- and scent-- of Catmint, but deer tend not to.

Catmint carries an aromatic strong scent within its fine foliage that deer hate to be near. It’s spicy and minty-- not their usual cup of tea!

Many Xeriscapes will have Catmint planted because of its water-wise feature. Or, it will be spotted as a prime edging plant in a front yard focal garden. Here at Nature Hills we use it to gently spill over a rock wall that needs extra bright colors bringing it to life.

Wherever you choose to place it, Catmint won’t be eaten by your visiting rabbits or deer! Instead, you’ll have long lasting blossoms that are gathered ‘round by soft floating butterflies and buzzing bees.

Our Most Popular Selections:

Not in the Eastern USDA hardiness zones? Take a look at our blog covering Deer Resistant Plants For the North.

By adding the above 5 deer resistant plants that thrive in the East, your garden won’t be living in constant fear. Plus, it will look spick and span all year round!

Happy gardening!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are camellias deer resistant enough to plant near woodland edges in the East?
Camellias are not highlighted among the top deer resistant choices for Eastern landscapes, and woodland edges where deer regularly travel can put these shrubs at higher risk of browsing, especially during late fall and winter when food sources are scarce. No plant is fully deer proof, and newly planted camellias are particularly vulnerable as deer may sample unfamiliar plants out of curiosity. If you choose to plant camellias near a woodland edge in Zones 6 through 9, apply a deer repellent consistently from establishment through the first few seasons and consider pairing them with more reliably deer resistant companions to help discourage browsing in that area.

Do deer eat catmint, or is it safe to plant along garden borders?
Catmint (Nepeta) is considered one of the more reliable deer resistant perennials, as deer tend to avoid its strongly aromatic foliage. It performs well across a wide range of Eastern growing zones and makes an excellent choice for garden borders. Keep in mind that no plant is truly 100% deer proof, so we recommend applying a deer repellent spray when first establishing new catmint plants to discourage curious deer from sampling them.

What flowers are deer resistant enough to grow reliably in Eastern gardens?
While the article focuses primarily on trees and shrubs rather than flowers for Eastern gardens, Nature Hills does emphasize that no plant is 100% deer proof, only deer resistant. That said, deer tend to avoid plants with strong scents, tough textures, or bitter tastes, which narrows the field to reliable options. For the best results in Eastern growing zones, apply a deer repellent spray to any newly planted flowers while they establish themselves, as deer are naturally curious about unfamiliar plants and may sample them before deciding they dislike the taste.

Is Salvia deer resistant, and which varieties work best in the East?
Salvia is considered highly deer resistant due to its strongly aromatic foliage, which deer find unappealing. While our Eastern deer resistant plant guide highlights other top performers like Honeylocust Trees and Evergreen Shrubs, many Salvia varieties thrive in Eastern growing zones and pair well with a deer-resistant landscape strategy. For Eastern gardens, look for hardy selections that perform well in zones 4 through 9, and apply a deer repellent spray when first establishing any new plants to discourage curious deer from sampling them.

Will deer eat blue fescue grass if other food sources are scarce?
While blue fescue is generally considered deer resistant due to its coarse texture and unpalatable taste, no plant is completely deer proof. If deer populations are high and natural food sources are limited, hungry deer may sample virtually any plant in your landscape, including blue fescue. To protect your ornamental grasses during periods of high deer pressure or when first establishing new plants, apply a deer repellent spray regularly and reapply after heavy rainfall.

What smells naturally repel deer from garden plants?
Deer are naturally repelled by strong scents including garlic, peppermint, clove, putrescent egg solids, and predator urine, which is why many commercial repellents are formulated around these ingredients. Plants with strong aromatic oils, such as lavender, rosemary, and yarrow, are also far less appealing to deer because of their potent fragrance. Nature Hills recommends spraying a deer repellent directly on newly established plants regardless of their deer resistance rating, since curious deer will often sample unfamiliar plants. Reapply repellent after rainfall or every 30 days during active growing seasons to maintain an effective scent barrier around your landscape.

How do you keep deer out of your garden without fencing?
While no plant is completely deer proof, choosing deer resistant varieties like Honeylocust Trees or Evergreen Shrubs significantly reduces the damage deer cause in your landscape. When introducing any new plant to your garden, deer may sample it simply out of curiosity, so it is important to apply a deer repellent spray to all newly established plants right away. Reapply repellent regularly, especially after rain, to remind local deer that your plants are not on their menu.

Which deer resistant perennials bloom the longest in Eastern climates?
The provided article on deer resistant plants for Eastern growing zones focuses on trees and shrubs rather than perennials, so we cannot point to specific long-blooming perennial recommendations from this source. That said, Nature Hills carries a wide selection of deer resistant perennials well-suited to Eastern zones, including reliable bloomers like Salvia, Coneflower (Echinacea), and Russian Sage, which can provide color from late spring through fall. Visit naturehills.com and use the plant filter tools to sort by your specific hardiness zone and "deer resistant" to find the best long-blooming perennial options for your landscape.

Can you mix deer resistant plants with non-resistant ones, or will deer still damage the whole garden?
You can absolutely mix deer resistant plants with non-deer resistant ones, but keep in mind that the resistant varieties act as a deterrent rather than a guarantee of protection for the whole garden. Deer may still browse on vulnerable plants nearby, especially during late fall and winter when natural food sources are scarce or when local deer populations are high. To protect your more susceptible plants, spray a deer repellent on all newly established and non-resistant plants regularly, and consider placing deer resistant species like Honeylocust Trees along the perimeter of your garden as a natural buffer zone.

How do you choose deer resistant plants that also tolerate the heat and humidity of the Eastern United States?
When selecting deer resistant plants for the heat and humidity of the Eastern growing zones, focus on species that have proven adaptability to both challenging conditions and deer pressure. Honeylocust Trees, for example, thrive across a wide range of Eastern zones and tolerate both drought and moist soils, making them well-suited to the variable conditions of the region. Evergreen shrubs are another strong choice, as they provide year-round structure while naturally resisting deer browsing. Browse the deer resistant plant collections at Nature Hills to filter by your specific growing zone and find the right fit for your landscape.
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