Perennials That Repel Deer

Deer Repelling Perennial Flowers

• Astilbe (False Spirea) provides attractive foliage and striking pink, red or lavender blooms. Astilbe grows from 24 to 40 inches high and prefers partial to full shade and soil that is kept regularly moist.

  Coreopsis (Tickseed) grows from 18 to 24 inches high and prefers full sun. It blooms bright shades of yellow throughout the spring and summer.

  Gallardia (Blanket Flower) is also an effective ground cover. It blooms in warm shades of burgundy, yellow, orange and red for long periods from summer into the fall and reseeds itself. Gallardia grows from 12 to 36 inches tall and prefers full sun.

Deer Repelling Perennial Herbs

• Chives not only repel deer, but many other unwanted pests from the garden such as aphids. They are versatile in the kitchen and are easy and attractive to grow between other herbs or flowers.

  Lavender can grow up to 30 inches high and thrives in a variety of conditions, even poor soil, but prefers full sun. There are many varieties of lavender providing an array of colors including white, pink, blue, lavender and deep purple flowers that all are highly fragrant.

  All types of sage are thought to repel deer but Russian sage is particularly effective. Russian sage grows 3 to 4 feet tall and requires full sun. It has attractive silvery foliage and small bluish-lavender flowers that grow on tall spires.

Deer Repelling Perennial Bulbs

• Liatris (Blazing Star) grows 3 to 5 feet tall and has a purplish-pink blossom. It requires full sun and soil that drains well. In addition to repelling deer, liatris attracts butterflies into your garden.

  Iris (Miniature Dwarf Iris) blooms earlier in the season than its larger cousin the bearded iris and comes in a variety of shades of yellow, blue and purple and rust. Iris grows 6 to 9 inches tall in partial to full sun.