Which Shrubs Make Good Deer Resistant Hedges?

Lilac

• Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a medium to large shrub that grows eight to 13 feet high and six to 12 feet wide. The shrub produces fragrant flowers often colored white to violet but available in other colors. Smooth, leathery dark green leaves grow in an oval to round shape. The shrubs tolerate drought but not standing water and take full sun. Deer do not like the taste of lilac leaves or flowers.

Boxwood

• Boxwood (Buxus spp.) is a popular edging shrub that is deer resistant. Small deep green leaves grown densely on the shrub. The bush can grow from five to 20 feet tall with equal width. They can be easily pruned to desired shape. The shrub prefers moist, well-draining soil and partial sun. Boxwoods are not generally eaten by deer.

Mountain Laurel

• Mountain laurel (Kalmia latfolia) is an evergreen shrub that grows from six to nine feet tall in thickets. Smooth leaves grow one to five inches long and one inch wide. Shrubs thrive in moist, gravely soil with partial to full sun. There is small fruit that grow mostly unnoticed. The leaves are poisonous to humans and livestock, so deer avoid the shrub.

Pieris

• Pieris (Pieris japonica) features evergreen broad, dense leaves. Bell-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink or red arrive in spring and stay for six weeks. The hardy plants are drought and cold resistant but will suffer in bitter cold. Shrubs grow from two to six feet tall and two to four feet wide. Deer will only eat this shrub if no other food source is present.