Deer Resistant Plants & Vines

Deer can wreak havoc on lawns and gardens in areas all over the United States. And while no plants are truly deer-proof -- when hard-pressed, deer will eat anything to survive -- adding deer-resistant plants to your landscape can help make it resilient enough to get through the year unscathed.

Deer Resistance

• While deer prefer certain types of plants, they will avoid others unless nothing else is available. Deer relish plants with tender new growth and often eat plants that are over-watered and fertilized. They tend to avoid anything with thorny or prickly leaves and stems, plants with pungent odors and strong tastes and plants that are poisonous or produce thick sap.

Plants and Vines

• If you are looking for deer-resistant plants and vines, you have a number of options. According to North Carolina State University, crossvine, climbing fig and coral honeysuckle are seldom damaged by deer. Juniper, partridgeberry, creeping rosemary and large leaf periwinkle are other deer-resistant options.

Climate Considerations

• Consult a hardiness zone map before you do any planting. You may also want to talk to a local gardening expert to help you decide which deer-resistant plants are right for your backyard.