To put it nicely, deer are so gosh darn frustrating! Eating the flowers is one thing but pulling the plants out of the ground is just plain wrong. So what to do? This is the great question we get asked all summer.
Fencing is one way to keep them out but that is not an option for most of us.
Spraying Deer Off or Liquid Fence helps, or at least slows the deer down, but ultimately the deer will eat the flowers if they are hungry.
Soap hanging from trees honestly seems to do nothing, but has been mentioned by some people.
Moth balls spread around the garden can be dangerous for other animals and toxic for the environment.
Planting flowers the deer do not like is the best scenario. It can be limiting but it is better than spending money on flowers only to see them chowed down. Below are flowers we are having the best luck with right now, but nothing is 100% deer resistant!! These flowers bloom mid to late summer which seems to be when the deer get active. In Eagle County, we are in zone 4 so if you live in a warmer area these flowers may bloom earlier for you.
‘May Night’ Salvia is in the foreground and ‘Six Hills Giant’ Nepeta is in the background. Any variety of Salvia or Catmint seems to be deer resistant and drought tolerant.
Peonies made the list, but I know these can be a hit or a miss. We have not had a problem with deer eating them and of course I think peonies should be in every sunny garden!
‘Jack Frost’ Brunnera is for shady gardens. I have never seen them get eaten and they are our go to perennial for shade.
‘Thriller’ Alchemilla mollis also known as Lady’s Mantle. This perennial can handle filtered shade and sun.
Dahlias. Plant them as tubers after the last frost. Depending on the zone where you live, you may have to dig up the tubers in the fall and store them over winter. We have done a blog post about dahlias. Let me just add that you are missing out if you do not have these beauties in your garden.
Shasta Daisies are generally safe from hungry deer. We prefer ‘Becky’ for their strong stems.
Zinnias are the best when you want mid to late summer color and the deer seem to leave them alone. This is a taller variety called ‘State Fair Mix’. Love these annuals!
We are having good luck with red coneflowers. This one is Hot Papaya. There are many varieties to choose from these days.
Russian Sage is a fabulous perennial that is both deer resistant and drought tolerant. It blooms in the late summer/early fall.
Ornamental grasses are a great addition to any garden and deer leave them alone. Lavender is next to the grass and is also deer resistant. Grasses do best in full sun.
They are waiting and watching so choose your flowers carefully! Good luck and keep up the good fight. Below is the final picture of a garden in the heart of deer country.
Blossom Better 