What Flowers Do Florida Deer Not Eat?

Black-Eyed Susan

• Rudbeckia hirta, or black-eyed Susan as the perennial is commonly known, is a sturdy perennial with deep orange petals and a dark brown center. The plants form 2-foot high clumps of deep green foliage and make an attractive border, ideal for edging your garden in an area where deer roam.

Purple Coneflower

• The pinkish-purple petals of Echinacea purpurea, also known as purple coneflower, surround a deep brown, elongated center. In Florida they bloom in spring and early summer, just when young deer are most inquisitive, but are rarely damaged. Grow several of these perennial plants so that you can pick bouquets for indoors.

Angenolia

• Ideal for container gardens, hanging baskets or color spots in a corner of the garden, Angenolia look like snapdragons but are better suited to the warmth and moisture of Florida gardens. Angenolia bloom in shades of pink, purple, blue and white. Grow several of these plants near a seating area where you can enjoy the grape-like scent without concern that deer will eat them when your back is turned.

Bird-of-Paradise

• Bird-of-paradise flowers perch dramatically on stems 3- to 5- feet tall, surrounded by spiky evergreen leaves. Also known by the scientific name Strelitzia reginae, or as crane flowers, bird-of-paradise thrive in the warmth of Florida gardens, but do need protection in the cooler winter temperatures in the northern parts of the state. Use a large clump of these plants to create a focal point in your garden that deer will not eat.