When choosing deer-resistant shrubs, there are a few things to remember. Gardening enthusiasts know that deer can be a significant problem when maintaining a beautiful garden.
Selecting shrubs well-suited to the sunlight and moisture in your garden is essential.
We’ve been researching and testing various deer-resistant shrubs to identify the best options for your garden.
Our top picks have been tested to ensure they effectively deter deer while providing a beautiful addition to your outdoor space.
Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs
We’ve tested and compiled a list of the best deer-resistant shrubs to help protect your garden. These shrubs add beauty and color to your landscape and provide a natural barrier against deer.
Carolina Seeds and Exotics White Japanese Lilac Seeds
We recommend the Carolina Seeds and Exotics White Japanese Lilac Seeds for gardeners looking for a fragrant and beautiful addition to their garden that is also deer-resistant.
Pros
Fragrant and beautiful flowers
Deer-resistant
Easy to grow from seed.
Cons
Some seeds may not germinate.
No instructions included.
Seeds are small and difficult to handle.
We found the White Japanese Lilac Seeds a great addition to our garden. We also appreciated that they are deer-resistant, as we have had issues with deer eating our other plants.
Overall, we are pleased with the Carolina Seeds and Exotics White Japanese Lilac Seeds and would recommend them to anyone looking for a beautiful and fragrant addition to their garden that is also deer resistant.
Perfect Plants Frostproof Gardenia Live Plant
We highly recommend the Perfect Plants Frostproof Gardenia Live Plant for those looking for a deer-resistant shrub with fragrant white flowers.
Pros
The plant comes with easy-to-use plant food.
The fragrant aroma during the blooming season is refreshing and inviting.
The shrub is easy to maintain in the landscape.
Cons
The plant does not have specific sun, water, seasons, and trimming instructions.
The gardenia plant may be smaller than expected.
The box may arrive crushed during shipping.
The Perfect Plants Frostproof Gardenia Live Plant is an excellent addition to any garden. This shrub features deep green; spindle leaves with fragrant, white flowers that appear every spring-summer.
The frostproof gardenia offers an intoxicating scent to your home landscape or garden. The Gardenia loves the sun and prefers full sun and partial shade throughout the day, making it perfect for planting in mulch beds along the front entryway, next to mailboxes or benches, or in fragrant gardens.
The mature height of this gardenia is 5 ft, with narrow, shrub-like branching with deep green foliage and fragrant, white flowers in spring.
The plant is easy to maintain in the landscape, with no pruning necessary to keep shape, and is deer-resistant, relying on rainfall for hydration. However, the plant does not have specific instructions for sun, water, seasons, and trimming, which may be a drawback for some users.
The Perfect Plants Frostproof Gardenia Live Plant is an excellent choice for a deer-resistant shrub with fragrant white flowers. It is easy to maintain and adds a refreshing aroma to any garden or landscape.
Southern Living Obsession Nandina Shrub
If you want a pop of color to your garden, we recommend the Southern Living Obsession Nandina Shrub.
Pros
The bright red foliage looks stunning in all seasons, perfect for landscapes and container gardens.
This evergreen shrub is low maintenance and requires moderate watering.
It can be planted in the sun in USDA zones 6-10 to part shade.
Cons
The expected height of the plant is 48 inches, so it might not be suitable for smaller gardens or containers.
It may not be as deer resistant as other plants.
We recently purchased the Southern Living Obsession Nandina Shrub for our garden and have been impressed with its vibrant color and low maintenance. The bright red foliage adds a pop of color to our landscape, and we love that it looks stunning throughout all seasons.
One thing to note is that the Southern Living Obsession Nandina Shrub does not produce any blossoms, so don’t expect any flowers. Lastly, while it is advertised as deer resistant, we have noticed some nibbling on the leaves, so it may not be as deer resistant as other plants. Overall, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, colorful shrub for your garden, we highly recommend the Southern Living Obsession Nandina Shrub.
Southern Living Sunshine Ligustrum 2 Gallon
We highly recommend the Southern Living Sunshine Ligustrum if you’re looking for a deer-resistant shrub that adds vibrant color to your garden.
Pros
The golden-yellow foliage is eye-catching and adds a pop of color to any garden.
This shrub is evergreen, meaning it will provide color year-round.
It’s deer-resistant, making it an excellent option for protecting their garden.
Cons
It requires full sunlight to thrive, so it might not be the best option for those with shady gardens.
Some gardeners may find the price point a bit high for a 2-gallon shrub.
We recently added the Southern Living Sunshine Ligustrum to our garden, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.
The golden-yellow foliage is stunning and adds a pop of color to our garden that we didn’t have before.
We also appreciate that it’s evergreen, meaning it will provide color year-round.
We’ve had issues with deer eating our other shrubs, so we were excited to find a shrub that could help protect our garden.
Overall, we highly recommend the Southern Living Sunshine Ligustrum for those looking for a deer-resistant shrub that adds vibrant color to their garden.
Buyers Guide
Deer Resistance
The most important feature to look for in a shrub is deer resistance.
Size and Growth Rate
Another essential factor to consider is the size and growth rate of the shrub.
You’ll want to choose a variety that fits well in your garden and won’t outgrow its space too quickly.
Additionally, faster-growing shrubs may require more maintenance to keep them in check.
Soil and Sun Requirements
Different shrubs have different soil and sun requirements, so choosing a variety that will thrive in your garden conditions is essential.
Check the plant’s label or research to ensure it will be happy in your garden.
Other Considerations
Choose a variety that will complement your garden’s existing plants and provide interest throughout the growing season.
Foliage: Shrubs with attractive foliage can add texture and color to your garden, even when not in bloom.
By considering these factors when choosing a deer-resistant shrub, you can help ensure the success of your garden and protect it from hungry deer.
FAQ
What is the most deer-resistant shrub?
No one shrub is the most deer resistant.
Deer are sensitive to smell, so they shun fragrant shrubs such as Juniper, Spruce, or Daphne.
Shrubs with thorns and rough or sharp leaves, such as Barberry and Oregon grape (Mahonia), will also be avoided by deer.
What are some flowering shrubs that are deer resistant?
Deer-resistant flowering shrubs include Forsythia, Butterfly bush, Rose of Sharon, Cinquefoil (Potentilla), Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica), and Bluebeard.
What hedges do deer not like?
Some of the best deer-resistant shrubs for hedging include Boxwood, Red Twig Dogwood, and Viburnum.
Do deer eat boxwood?
Deer will avoid Boxwood, making it one of the best deer-resistant shrubs for shade.
Rutgers gives Boxwood an A rating because deer rarely damage it.
Is Viburnum deer resistant?
Viburnum is a shrub that deer won’t eat due to its taste and scent.
While deer won’t damage the plant itself, they may eat the flowers, making it unlikely that you’ll see fruit.
Do deer like hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas are among the least deer-resistant flowering shrubs.
Substitute other deer-resistant bushes if you live in an area prone to deer damage.
Are azaleas deer-proof?
Deer will eat Azaleas, usually early in the season when beginning to grow.
Lilac bushes are they deer-resistant?
Deer rarely graze on Lilacs, but hungry deer may feed on these bushes in early spring when other food sources are not available.
Is Russian sage deer-resistant?
The fragrant foliage of Russian Sage makes it highly deer-resistant.
