Annuals and Perennials
That Are Less Attractive to Deer
No plant is impervious to deer. However, they'll definitely go for some plants before others. And if deer are hungry enough they will nibble on anything.
The University of Minnesota horticulture extension put together this list of annuals and perennials that deer are less likely to eat. They're also well-suited to Iowa.
Click here for a printer-friendly Acrobat.pdf version.
Annuals |
Perennials |
| Amaranth | Ajuga/bugleweed |
| Castor bean | Allium |
| Chinese forget-me-not | Amsonia |
| Cosmos | Baby's-breath |
| Creeping zinnia | Bleeding-heart |
| Cupflower/nierembergia | Butterfly weed |
| Dusty miller | Coralbells |
| French marigolds | Coreopsis |
| Globe amaranth | Cranesbill |
| Mexican tulip | Flax |
| poppy/golden cup | Foxglove |
| Ornamental pepper | Gas plant |
| Periwinkle | Gayfeather/liatris |
| Polygonum | Globe thistle |
| Salvia | Golden marguerite |
| Signet marigold | Lamb's ears |
| Snapdragon | Lily-of-the-valley |
| Snow-on-the-mountain | Lungwort |
| (Euphorbia marginata) | Lupine |
| Spider flower (Cleome) | Monkshood |
| Sweet alyssum | Oriental poppy |
| Wax begonia | Pachysandra |
| Zinnia | Peony |
| Plume poppy | |
| Rose campion | |
| Sage | |
| Speedwell | |
| Turtlehead | |
| Wormwood | |
| Yarrow |
For a more complete list of deer-resistant flowers from Rutgers University in New Jersey, click here.
