Tolerance
Deer
These plants are listed as deer-resistant in our source data — typically meaning deer often avoid them when other forage is available. That is not a guarantee. Hungry deer, regional browsing pressure, and young tender growth can still cause damage.
Use this list as a practical starting set for gardens under light-to-moderate deer pressure, then protect new plantings and watch local behaviour. Pair resistant plants with fencing or repellents where deer pressure is high.
What matters most for Deer-resistant planting
- Treat “deer resistant” as relative, not absolute — no plant is 100% deer-proof.
- Protect newly planted stock; established plants are usually less tempting.
- Mix textures and scents deer typically dislike rather than relying on a single celebrity plant.
- Monitor after drought or hard winters when deer expand their diet.
- Combine plant choice with site tactics (fencing, height, repellents) in heavy-pressure areas.
Pest-smart partners in Deer
Where a plant in this collection already lists companion partners (often for softer pest pressure), those links are gathered here — open either profile for the full reason.
- Cardinal Flower Silver Maple Pairs with Silver Maple.
- Hardy Geranium Rozanne Rose 'Albertine' Pairs with Rose 'Albertine'.
- Hidcote Lavender Achillea (Yarrow) Yarrow’s flat flower heads support Lacewings and Ladybugs.
- Hidcote Lavender Lavender Cotton Shares Hidcote’s dry-sun preference.
- Hidcote Lavender Sheep Fescue Low, non-competitive grassy companion for gravel edges.
- Hidcote Lavender Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian) Dry-sun partner that extends colour after lavender’s peak and feeds pollinators.