WHAT TO PLANT FOR A DEER RESISTANT COTTAGE GARDEN
The perpetrator looking ever so innocent.
At Steep Hill the deer have been a constant nuisance and highly destructive to the garden. Since the start of our time here in Muskoka (2021), I’ve been documenting what they do and do not like to devour.
In the coming years our plan is to move, protect, or eliminate the plants they will inevitably ruin in favour of more deer resistant varieties that are still beautiful and bring lots of life and colour to the garden.
The good news is that there a lots to choose from.
The term deer resistant is a bit misleading, as it really just means that even if a deer eats a lot of the plant it will still survive. It doesn’t mean the deer won’t eat it. In fact, few plants are 100% deer proof.
With that being said, let’s look at the MOST deer resistant flowering perennial and annuals here at Steep Hill. For context, we are in Zone 4b in Ontario. We’ve also gathered a list of the LEAST deer resistant perennials to avoid.
The former dahlia garden.
THE MOST DEER RESISTANT FLOWERING PERENNIALS AT STEEP HILL
Disclaimer: These findings are specific to our location, please don’t take any of this as a guarantee that the deer (or rabbits) where you are won’t have other ideas. That said, we do get A LOT of deer through the property so it’s definitely a solid test sample to see what they’re interested in.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
NARCISSUS (aka. DAFFODILS)
Perennial
I only recently learned that these are on the “do not eat” list for deer and I’m so relieved. They contain an alkaloid called lycorine that is distasteful and even poisonous to deer so they steer clear. Our future plans include a spring bulb garden with LOTS of daffodils and other bulbs like crocus, hyacinth, snowdrops, and allium. All of which are said to be similarly off-putting to deer.
Sadly tulips are very much on the “do eat” list for deer so we won’t be planting those.
HELLEBORES
Perennial
Aka. Lenten Rose, this early bloomer is one that the deer don’t graze, thanks to their toxicity. These are a great option for shady spots because they thrive in partial to full shade. The blooms last on the stem for a long time and the foliage is a beautiful rich green with burgundy edges that lasts all summer and into the fall.
PEONIES
Perennial
To say I’m grateful that deer are put off by peonies is an understatement. I love peonies, and the fact that they’re a spring bloomer only adds to their appeal after our long, cold winters. The deer tend to leave them be due to the fragrance of the flowers and the flavour of the stems. That said, they have tasted a few buds from time to time but generally avoid the foliage and the blooms once open.
BLEEDING HEARTS
Perennial
I didn’t notice bleeding hearts in many gardens before we moved to Steep Hill but they were like a magical treasure when they bloomed during our first spring here. It’s amazing how they can grow in the tiniest amount of soil and seem to thrive in rock walls. Their toxicity makes them very close to deer proof and yet the hummingbirds and bees love them. Here at the lake we’re lucky to have them in both a pink and a white variety.
ECHINACEA (CONE FLOWER)
Perennial
While the deer did take a few nibbles on the foliage in the early summer, they seemed to ignore them after that. My opinion on Cone Flowers used to be that they’re a bit…meh…but not anymore. They add such a gorgeous burst of colour and I love how long they hold their petals and colour right into the early fall. Definitely planning to plant a lot more of these in the future.
SALVIA
Perennial (Annual varieties available too)
We planted clumps of these in our upper pollinator garden near the bee hive and they are a beautiful deep purple. Even in a high traffic area, the deer left these alone. This is a really nice accent flower to consider for a bit of height, density, and a deeper hue that lasts all summer.
SHASTA DAISIES
Perennial
These are such a joyful bloom aren’t they? Their bright white petals and yellow inner disc radiates pure delight and the butterflies love them. The deer might nibble early growth foliage but they send up new shoots and buds to quickly recover.
RUDBECKIA (Black-Eyed Susan)
Perennial (confirm variety is hardy for your zone)
The deer nibble the first round of buds off the rudbeckia but they’re a real trooper flower and put out new buds very quickly. They’re definitely “resistant” to deer damage because they keep trying even when they get damaged. Once they bloom, they seem to be left alone.
MORE PERENNIAL SUGGESTIONS FROM OUR INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY:
Yarrow
Hyacinth
Russian Sage
Astilbe
Catmint
Lambs Ear
Bee Balm
Lady’s Mantle
Bergenia
Ferns
Joe-Pye Weed
Columbine
Monarda
Beebalm
Penstemon
Amsonia
Pulmonaria
Solomon seal
Anise Hyssop
Baptisia
Iris
Asters
Ornamental Oregano
THE MOST DEER RESISTANT FLOWERING ANNUALS AT STEEP HILL
Disclaimer: These findings are specific to our location, please don’t take any of this as a guarantee that the deer (or rabbits) where you are won’t have other ideas. That said, we do get A LOT of deer through the property so it’s definitely a solid test sample to see what they’re interested in.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
MARIGOLDS
Annual
To say I’m a fan of Marigolds is an understatement. The deer however, not so much. They quite literally step over them to get to the other goods (cough, hydrangea, cough). They’re perfect for borders and small spaces in the garden and make wonderful companions to all kinds of plants you might be growing in raised beds. They lure beetles and other pests away from the leafy greens and prime vegetable crops in the garden.
DAHLIA
Tender Perennial
We’re going on our fourth year of growing a rather large dahlia garden and (knock on wood) the deer seem to want little to do with it. We do protect the earlier season growth when first planted but once the stalks get tall and the blooms open they seem to be unappetizing. I’ve noticed that the deer will nibble the leaves in the late fall when other fresh foliage is scarce but by then, it’s almost time to retire the tubers for winter.
MORE ANNUAL SUGGESTIONS FROM OUR INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY:
Heliotrope
Geranium
Begonia
Flossflower
Cleome
Lantana
Alyssum
Salvia
Dusty Miller
Flowering Tobacco
THe LEAST DEER RESISTANT PERENNIALS AT STEEP HILL COTTAGE
HOSTA
Perennial
Hostas are essentially dessert to deer. They get gobbled up over night and once the deer know where to find them, they just keep coming back. These blooms were from a year when the deer hadn’t had a chance to discover them. We’ve since added lavender and other more deer-repellent flowers around the hostas to camouflage the leaves but this has only made a moderate improvement on their survival.
HYDRANGEA
Perennial
Even with both Bobex (a repellent spray) and Irish spring soap shavings (a supposedly fool proof repellent) the deer will find and devour the hydrangeas. The only thing that has saved them is physically protecting them with netting that the deer can’t get through. Not ideal, so we’re still scheming for solutions.
LILAC
Perennial
Considering that deer don’t like anything too fragrant I thought these might be safe. Unfortunately, this was not even a little bit correct. The deer cleaned them of buds and leaves almost entirely. This photo is of a tree that’s grown tall enough that the deer can’t reach them.
JAPANESE ANEMONE
Perennial
These are such a beautiful fall bloom. They’re like a mix between a poppy and a cosmos and have the loveliest slender stems. The bees love them and they keep coming back each spring despite their destruction, so perhaps when we have our main cottage landscaping done, I’ll find a safe spot closer to the house.
DELPHINIUM
Perennial
Another case of deer demolished leaves, although one did manage to bloom in the end. These are really lovely so I might try to move them somewhere more protected with the Japanese Anemone.
Thanks for reading!
FOR MORE ON COTTAGE GARDENING
How to define your garden profile, all about our raised beds, everything we’re planting this year, and how we keep our crops thriving all season long.