Deer-Resistant Plants

Long Island has plenty of hungry deer and they are not interested in how much you paid for your trees and shrubs. This photo of a deer-damaged hedge (1) is a common sight in local backyards. With rising populations and constantly growing tastes, deer are survivors and they’re not going anywhere soon.

There are organic methods available for deterring deer-feeding but the most effective way is to prevent it by planting deer-resistant plants! They can surprise us on what new plants they add to the menu each new winter but here’s a short list of some plants that usually get skipped by browsing deer:

• Helleborus sp., Hellebore, Lenten Rose

• Cryptomeria japonica, Japanese Cryptomeria

• Osmanthus sp., Holly Osmanthus, False Holly

• Illicium floridanum, Florida Anise Tree

• Cephalotaxus harringtonia, Plum Yew

• Pieris japonica, Japanese Pieris

• Leucothoe fontanesiana, Drooping Leucothoe

Further reading and recommendations:

•Recommended Evergreens for a Deer-Challenged Landscape, Branching Out Supplemental at:

https://tinyurl. com/yc5fwcrz

• Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance:

https://njaes.rutgers.edu/deer-resistant-plants/?search=deer&submit=Search

• Dr. Bridgen's List of Plants that Deer Do Not Like to Eat:

http://hort.cornell.edu/bulb/landscape/Mark_Bridgen%27s_ Deer_Resistant_Plants_List.pdf

• Vincent Simeone Deer Resistant Plant List:

https:// www.vincentsimeone.com/plant-lists