Deer-Resistant Plants in Sonoma County

Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

• Strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo), also known as cane apples, and silverthorn (Elaeagnus pungens), also known as spotted or thorny elaeagnus, are large evergreen shrubs. Both of them bloom in the fall and early winter. Strawberry trees produce pale, pink-white flowers. As the flowers fade, small green fruits are produced which ripen to yellow-red by the following fall. They commonly grow to a height of 10 to 15 feet and are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 10. Silverthorn grows to a height of 15 feet, producing an abundance of small, off-white, fragrant flowers followed by red-brown fruits, and is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9. Both of these deer-resistant shrubs are also tolerant of salty conditions and drought. There are smaller cultivars of both shrubs available and they can all be planted in partial shade or full sun.

Needle-leaved Evergreen Shrubs

• Chinese junipers (Juniperus chinensis) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata) are evergreen shrubs with cultivars available in a wide range of sizes and growth habits. Chinese junipers generally grow to a height of 50 to 70 feet as a tree but “Hetzii Glauca” (Juniperus chinensis “Hetzii Glauca”) grows to only 5 to 7 feet tall and “San Jose” (Juniperus chinensis “San Jose”) grows to a height of only 1 foot. They are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 and are tolerant of moderately salty conditions. Western red cedar generally grows to a height of 70 feet in cultivation. The “Hillieri” cultivar (Thuja plicata “Hillieri”), however, grows to only 6 to 10 feet, tall and “Rogersii” (Thuja plicata “Rogersii”) grows to a height of only 3 feet. They are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. Both of these deer-resistant shrubs grow best when given supplemental water, although dryer conditions are fine after they become established. Full sun is preferred, but some cultivars can be grown in partial or dappled shade.

Full-sun Flowering Perennials

• Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) and marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are deer-resistant flowering plants. Moss phlox, also known as moss pinks, creeping and mountain phlox, grows to a height of 6 inches and width of 2 feet. They bloom in the spring, producing flowers in white, pink or various shades of purple. Drought and air pollution are not a problem for these flowering plants, although rabbits enjoy them. They are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9. Marigolds are available in heights ranging from 6 inches to 4 feet with cream, gold, orange, red or yellow flowers, depending on the species, hybrid or cultivar. They bloom from spring to first frost and are hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11. Both of these plants prefer full sun.

Shade-tolerant Perennials

• Christmas ferns (Polystichum acrostichoides) and some plantain lilies (hosta spp.) are deer-resistant plants that can be grown in shady Sonoma County gardens. Christmas ferns grow to a height and width of 1 to 2 feet. Their evergreen fronds are medium green with Christmas-stocking shaped leaflets. They are drought-tolerant plants that are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9. Plantain lilies require a cool resting period in the winter with temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Many of them will not thrive in Sonoma County but some hybrids and cultivars can. “Elegans” (Hosta sieboldiana “Elegans”) is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. It grows to a height of 2 or 3 feet and blooms in pale purple in late spring and early summer. “Francee” (Hosta Francee”) is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9. It grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet and blooms in light lavender from late spring through summer. All of these plants will grow in partial to dense shade.