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 of this list.

Annuals
Amaranth
Castor bean
Chinese forget-me-not
Cosmos
Creeping zinnia
Cupflower/nierembergia
Dusty miller
French marigolds
Globe amaranth
Mexican tulip (poppy/golden cup)
Ornamental pepper
Periwinkle
Polygonum
Salvia
Signet marigold
Snapdragon
Snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata)
Spider flower (Cleome)
Sweet alyssum
Wax begonia
Zinnia

Perennials
Ajuga/bugleweed
Allium
Amsonia
Baby’s-breath
Bleeding-heart
Butterfly weed
Coralbells
Coreopsis
Cranesbill
Flax
Foxglove
Gas plant
Gayfeather/liatris
Globe thistle
Golden marguerite
Lamb’s ears
Lily-of-the-valley
Lungwort
Lupine
Monkshood
Oriental poppy
Pachysandra
Peony
Plume poppy
Rose campion
Sage
Speedwell
Turtlehea
Wormwood
Yarrow

Other Links Of Interest:

Deer-Resistant Trees And Shrubs For Iowa

Understanding Cool-season And Warm-season Annuals

Please do not use text, photos, or illustrations on this web page, web site, or newsletter without express permission from The Iowa Gardener. Many materials are copyrighted and reuse is violation of that copyright. Click here to request permission to use. Thank you!