Tired of seeing your hard work turned into a midnight buffet for foraging animals? Designing a deer-resistant landscape allows you to enjoy a lush garden without the constant worry of browsing critters. While no plant is entirely “deer proof,” selecting varieties with natural defenses —plants we at Breck’s refer to as Deeresistible™—helps you maintain a beautiful, worry-free sanctuary from spring through fall.
Top 12 Flowers for a Deer Resistant Landscape
Not sure where to start with planning your deer resistant garden? These essentials are not only some of Breck’s most popular plants and bulbs, but they are also some of the most reliably deer resistant plants you can grow. Grow a mix of these plants for deer resistant flowers from spring through fall.
"To discourage deer, you must look beyond the bloom and focus on the plant's natural defenses,” says Edwin Visser, general manager of Breck’s Holland office. “Prioritize plants with pungent aromas that overwhelm their senses and utilize fuzzy or leathery textures that are unpalatable to chew. Lean into varieties with natural chemical bittering agents that signal a plant is best left alone."
- Daffodil (Early/Mid/Late Spring): Easy to grow with joyful flowers, these are as close to deer proof as you can get – animals and deer avoid them because they are toxic when eaten.
- Hyacinth (Early/Mid Spring): Their perfume-like fragrance and specific texture generally keep them off the menu, and like daffodils, deer and other critters avoid them because they are irritating if eaten.
- Grape Hyacinth (Early/Mid/Late Spring): These fragrant blue or pink flower clusters also tend to deter deer.
- Peony (Early/Mid/Late Spring): A garden favourite that deer find unappealing and seldom damage.
- Iris and Bearded Iris (Late Spring/Early Summer): Their specific scent and foliage texture make them a safe bet for borders, and they are irritating to animals if eaten.
- Allium (Late Spring/Early Summer): These ornamental onions have a scent and bitter taste that deer strongly dislike.
- Oriental Poppy (Late Spring/Early Summer): These stunning flowers have fuzzy stems and foliage, which deters deer and animals from nibbling, and the plants are irritating if ingested.
- Phlox (Early Summer): These offer clusters of colour that are rarely a first choice for browsing.
- Coneflower (Midsummer): Hardy perennials that stand up well to grazing pressure, thanks to their coarse stems and foliage.
- Gladiolus (Summer): Striking, tall spikes that are seldom severely damaged, and animals avoid eating them as they are also irritating if eaten.
- Calla (Summer): Elegant blooms that are unappetizing to deer and animals, as the plants are irritating if ingested.
- Dahlia (Mid to Late Summer): These provide massive late-season colour with high natural resistance.
Shop All Deer Resistant Flowers & Plants
4 Inspiring Deer Resistant Flower Garden Design Ideas
You can mix and match these hand-selected varieties to create a cohesive look that deters deer through every season.
1. The Spring Meadow
Combine daffodils and hyacinths to create a lush, early-season carpet of colour. This combination is highly effective as both plants are rarely damaged by deer.
2. The Textured Border
Mix peonies, catmint and yarrow for a multilayered look. The variety of scents and textures in this design makes it very unappealing for deer to browse.
3. The Vibrant Summer Retreat
This design features coneflowers, gladioli and bee balm. These plants offer high-impact colour and height while remaining generally left alone by local wildlife.
4. The Woodland Edge
For the edges of your property where trees meet garden, ferns are a natural fit. Blue Spanish Bluebells create a colorful deer-resistant garden for shaded areas.
Best Deer Resistant Plant Lists by Category
Looking to explore an even wider selection of plants that can survive in a deer-heavy area? These are the most popular deer resistant bulbs and perennials that Breck’s gardeners love.
Shop All Deer Resistant Plants & Flowers
Breck’s Top Deer Resistant Fall-Planted Bulbs
Plant these in the fall for reliable spring colour:- Daffodils
- Hyacinth
- Grape Hyacinth
- Alliums
- Bluebells
- Crown Imperial & Fritillaria
- Squill
- Snowdrops
- Winter Aconite
- Grecian Windflowers (Anemone)
Breck’s Essential Deer Resistant Perennials
For an easy way to start your deer resistant garden, shop Breck’s Deeresistible™ Designer Garden perennial collection.
These long-lived plants provide structure and recurring blooms year after year:
- Peony
- Iris and Bearded Iris
- Phlox
- Coneflowers
- Oriental Poppies
- Hollyhocks
- Hibiscus
- Astilbe
- Hardy Geranium
- Sea Holly
- Heuchera
- Bee Balm
- Ferns
- Bleeding Heart
- Hellebores
- Lily of the Valley
- Foxgloves
- Milkweed
- Asters
- Columbine
- Helenium
- Yarrow
- Agapanthus
- Salvia
- Sedum
- Red hot poker
Breck’s Best Deer Resistant Spring-Planted Bulbs
These tropical plants don’t make good snacks for deer:
- Dahlias
- Gladiolus
- Callas
- Cannas
- Elephant Ears
How to Protect Your Garden from Deer
Watch over young plants. Newer perennials – even deer resistant flowers - are more vulnerable while they develop their natural defences.
Use barriers. Fences or physical barriers are the most effective way to keep deer out of specific areas.
Apply scent sprays. Applied regularly, these can help reinforce that your garden is not a food source.
Know the targets. Be extra vigilant watching over such deer favourites as tulips, hostas, caladiums and lilies.
FAQs About Deer Resistant Gardens
What makes certain plants less attractive to deer?
Deer generally avoid plants based on three factors: scent and fragrance (which can be overwhelming to animal noses), texture (fuzzy or prickly leaves) and bitterness (toxic or foul-tasting compounds). These factors are the plants’ natural defence system.
What flowers are 100% deer proof?
Mature daffodils, hyacinths, irises, and milkweed are some of the closest you’ll find because they are toxic to deer when eaten—but remember, no plants are truly deer-proof, since very hungry animals may eat any plant in dire circumstances.
Learn More from Breck’s:
- How to Plant & Care for Daffodils
- Landscaping Ideas: Where to Plant Flowers
- How to Plant & Care for Irises
- How to Grow Dahlias