Deer-Resistant - Gardening in Michigan - Michigan State University
Deer-Resistant - Gardening in Michigan - Michigan State University
Deer-Resistant - Gardening in Michigan - Michigan State University
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EXTENSION BULLETIN E-3042<br />
NEW JULY 2008<br />
Infor-<br />
“<strong>Deer</strong>-<strong>Resistant</strong>” Plants<br />
For Homeowners<br />
AUTHORS:<br />
conditions and the availability of alternative<br />
foods. <strong>Deer</strong> are creatures of habit, and<br />
prior movement patterns or forag<strong>in</strong>g experience<br />
can help predict where damage<br />
can occur. New plant<strong>in</strong>gs added to an exist<strong>in</strong>g<br />
landscape already severely damaged by<br />
deer will likely suffer extreme brows<strong>in</strong>g<br />
pressure.<br />
Jordan Pusateri Burroughs<br />
Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife<br />
<strong>Michigan</strong> <strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
Thomas A. Dudek<br />
MSU Extension, Ottawa County<br />
J. Burroughs, MSU<br />
Damage to ornamental plants by whitetailed<br />
deer (Odocoileus virg<strong>in</strong>ianus) cont<strong>in</strong>ues<br />
to <strong>in</strong>crease. This damage has been<br />
associated with:<br />
<strong>Deer</strong> may sample some less palatable<br />
plants until they determ<strong>in</strong>e the plants are<br />
varieties they do not prefer. Snow cover<br />
may prevent deer from f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g food, and<br />
high deer numbers can create competition<br />
for available food, which can cause hungry<br />
deer to eat whatever plants are available.<br />
Note that unpalatable landscape plants<br />
may still <strong>in</strong>cur antler rubb<strong>in</strong>g damage.<br />
Only physical protection such as exclusion<br />
techniques can reduce or prevent deer antler<br />
rub damage to trees and shrubs.<br />
Bullet<strong>in</strong> produced <strong>in</strong> cooperation<br />
with the <strong>Michigan</strong> <strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
Department of Fisheries and<br />
Wildlife and Department of Horticulture,<br />
MSUE Fisheries and<br />
Wildlife Area of Expertise Team,<br />
<strong>Michigan</strong> Dept. of Natural<br />
Resources and <strong>Michigan</strong> Natural<br />
Features Inventory.<br />
Increas<strong>in</strong>g deer abundance.<br />
Human population shifts to rural<br />
and suburban homesites.<br />
Matur<strong>in</strong>g of abandoned agricultural<br />
lands <strong>in</strong>to deer habitat.<br />
Landowner decisions to prevent<br />
deer hunt<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Restrictions on firearm use <strong>in</strong><br />
suburban regions.<br />
<strong>Deer</strong> prefer to feed on certa<strong>in</strong> plant species,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g some ornamental plants used for<br />
landscap<strong>in</strong>g. Additionally, ornamental<br />
plants may be more attractive to deer because<br />
they are fertilized and irrigated. <strong>Deer</strong><br />
avoid feed<strong>in</strong>g on some species of plants<br />
because they are less palatable. A technique<br />
to reduce deer brows<strong>in</strong>g of landscape<br />
plants is to substitute less palatable species<br />
of plants for those that deer prefer to eat.<br />
Though no plants are totally resistant<br />
to deer brows<strong>in</strong>g, some are less<br />
palatable to deer and are less likely<br />
to receive heavy damage.<br />
Whether deer will eat a particular plant<br />
species or variety depends on the deer’s<br />
previous experience, nutritional needs,<br />
plant palatability, seasonal factors, weather<br />
To m<strong>in</strong>imize deer damage, select landscape<br />
and garden plants that are less preferred by<br />
deer. The follow<strong>in</strong>g tables provide a guide<br />
to the relative likelihood of deer damage to<br />
plants used by <strong>Michigan</strong> landscape contractors<br />
and landowners. This <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
can be useful for both select<strong>in</strong>g plants that<br />
are less likely to be damaged by deer and<br />
identify<strong>in</strong>g those ornamentals that frequently<br />
require protection. Plants listed as<br />
rarely damaged are <strong>in</strong>frequently fed<br />
upon by deer and are the best candidates<br />
for landscapes prone to deer damage. <strong>Deer</strong><br />
sometimes feed on ornamentals listed as<br />
seldom severely damaged, but damage<br />
is usually m<strong>in</strong>or and has limited effect on<br />
the shape or attractiveness of the plant.<br />
The category occasionally damaged <strong>in</strong>cludes<br />
plants that may be severely damaged<br />
by deer. F<strong>in</strong>ally, ornamental plants <strong>in</strong><br />
the frequently damaged category appear<br />
to be preferred by deer and usually<br />
require physical or chemical protection<br />
whenever deer are present.<br />
Before plant<strong>in</strong>g any of the follow<strong>in</strong>g plant<br />
species, check to make sure that they are<br />
adapted to local climate and soil conditions.<br />
For additional <strong>in</strong>formation, contact<br />
your local county <strong>Michigan</strong> <strong>State</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> Extension office.
2<br />
Plants rarely<br />
damaged<br />
Botanical name<br />
Common name<br />
Perennials<br />
Achillea spp.<br />
Yarrow<br />
Aconitum spp.<br />
Monkshood<br />
Allium spp.<br />
Onion<br />
Allium christophii<br />
Star of Persia<br />
Allium neapolitanum<br />
Daffodil garlic<br />
Allium ostrowskianum Lily leek<br />
Anemone x hybrida<br />
Japanese anemone<br />
Anemonella thalictroides Rue anemone<br />
Aquilegia spp.<br />
Columb<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Arabis spp.<br />
Rockcress<br />
Arisaema thiphylum<br />
Jack-<strong>in</strong>-the-pulpit<br />
Aubrietia deltoidea<br />
Rock cress<br />
Aur<strong>in</strong>ia saxatilis<br />
Basket-of-gold<br />
Bergenia spp.<br />
Bergenia<br />
Ceratostigma plumbag<strong>in</strong>oides Plumbago<br />
Cimicifuga racemosa<br />
Snakeroot<br />
Colchicum autumnale Colchicum<br />
Colchicum speciosum Colchicum<br />
Consolida ambigua<br />
Larkspur<br />
Coreopsis verticillata<br />
Threadleaf coreopsis<br />
Cyclamen hederifolium Neapolitan cyclamen<br />
Dicentra spectabilis<br />
Bleed<strong>in</strong>g heart<br />
Digitalis spp.<br />
Foxglove<br />
Dryopteris marg<strong>in</strong>alis Wood fern<br />
Ech<strong>in</strong>acea purpurea<br />
Purple coneflower<br />
Epimedium spp.<br />
Barrenwort<br />
Euphorbia spp.<br />
Euphorbia<br />
Fritillaria spp.<br />
Fritillary<br />
Galium odoratum<br />
Sweet woodruff<br />
Gloriosa superba<br />
Glory lily<br />
Hemerocallis ‘Stella d’Oro’ ‘Stella d’Oro’ daylily<br />
Lamium maculatum<br />
Deadnettle<br />
Lavandula spp.<br />
Lavender<br />
L<strong>in</strong>aria vulgaris<br />
Toadflax<br />
L<strong>in</strong>dera benzo<strong>in</strong><br />
Native spicebush<br />
Lychnis coronaria<br />
Rose campion<br />
Matteuccia struthiopteris Ostrich fern<br />
Narcissus spp.<br />
Daffodil<br />
Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis Royal fern<br />
Pachysandra procumbens Allegheny spurge<br />
Pachysandra term<strong>in</strong>alis Japanese spurge<br />
Papaver orientale<br />
Oriental poppy<br />
Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian sage<br />
Rudbeckia spp.<br />
Coneflower<br />
Salvia spp.<br />
Sage<br />
Santol<strong>in</strong>a chamaecyparissus Lavender cotton<br />
Scilla spp.<br />
Squill<br />
Stachys byzant<strong>in</strong>a<br />
Lamb's ears<br />
Tanacetum vulgare<br />
Common tansy<br />
Thymus spp.<br />
Thyme<br />
Tiarella cordifolia<br />
Foam flower<br />
Yucca spp.<br />
Yucca<br />
Botanical name<br />
Annuals<br />
Ageratum houstonianum<br />
Anethum graveolens<br />
Antirrh<strong>in</strong>um majus<br />
Capsicum annuum<br />
Capsicum frutescens<br />
Citrulus lanatus<br />
Cucumis melo cantalupensis<br />
Cucumis sativus<br />
Hyac<strong>in</strong>thus orientalis<br />
Lobularia maritima<br />
Nicotiana spp.<br />
Pelargonium spp.<br />
Rheum rhabarbarum<br />
Solanum melongena<br />
Tagetes spp.<br />
Tropaeolum majus<br />
Common name<br />
Ageratum<br />
Common dill<br />
Snapdragon<br />
Hot peppers<br />
Sweet peppers<br />
Watermelon<br />
Canteloupe<br />
Cucumber<br />
Hyac<strong>in</strong>th<br />
Sweet alyssum<br />
Flower<strong>in</strong>g tobacco<br />
Scented geranium<br />
Rhubarb<br />
Eggplant<br />
Marigold<br />
Nasturtium<br />
Botanical name<br />
Cultivar<br />
Ornamental Grasses<br />
Ravennae grass, hardy pampas grass<br />
Saccharum ravennae<br />
Japanese silver grass<br />
Miscanthus s<strong>in</strong>ensis<br />
Miscanthus s<strong>in</strong>ensis<br />
Miscanthus s<strong>in</strong>ensis<br />
Miscanthus s<strong>in</strong>ensis<br />
Miscanthus s<strong>in</strong>ensis<br />
Miscanthus s<strong>in</strong>ensis<br />
Miscanthus s<strong>in</strong>ensis<br />
Switch grass<br />
Panicum virgatum<br />
Panicum virgatum<br />
Panicum virgatum<br />
Panicum virgatum<br />
Panicum virgatum<br />
Tall purple moor grass<br />
Mol<strong>in</strong>ia litoralis<br />
Mol<strong>in</strong>ia litoralis<br />
Feather-reed grass<br />
Calamagrostis xacutifolia<br />
Northern sea oats<br />
Chasmanthium latifolium<br />
Founta<strong>in</strong> grass<br />
Pennisetum orientale<br />
Japanese grass<br />
Hakonechloa macra<br />
Sedges<br />
Carex morrowii<br />
Carex oshimensis<br />
Carex flagellifera<br />
‘Cabaret’<br />
‘Cosmopolitan’<br />
‘Malepartus’<br />
‘Morn<strong>in</strong>g Light’<br />
‘Strictus’<br />
‘Variegatus’<br />
‘Zebr<strong>in</strong>us’<br />
‘Cloud N<strong>in</strong>e’<br />
‘Dallas Blues’<br />
‘Heavy Metal’<br />
‘Northw<strong>in</strong>d’<br />
‘Shenandoah’<br />
‘Skyracer’<br />
‘Transparent’<br />
‘Karl Foerster’<br />
‘Karley Rose’<br />
‘Aureola’<br />
‘Variegata’<br />
‘Evergold’<br />
‘Toffee Twist’
3<br />
Botanical name<br />
Native grasses<br />
Andropogon gerardii<br />
Bouteloua curtipendula<br />
Carex musk<strong>in</strong>gumensis<br />
Carex pennsylvanica<br />
Elymus canadensis<br />
Koeleria macrantha<br />
Luzula multiflora<br />
Panicum virgatum<br />
Schizachrium scoparium<br />
Sorghastrum nutans<br />
Sprobolis heterolepis<br />
Shrubs<br />
Buxus sempervirens<br />
Ilex opaca<br />
Leucothoe fontanesiana<br />
Pieris japonica<br />
Trees<br />
Betula papyrifera<br />
Picea pungens<br />
Botanical name<br />
Shrubs<br />
Celastrus scandens<br />
Cornus florida<br />
Cornus kousa<br />
Cornus sericea<br />
Crataegus laevigata<br />
Enkianthus campanulatus<br />
Forsythia spp.<br />
llex cornuta<br />
llex glabra<br />
Juniperus ch<strong>in</strong>ensis<br />
Kolkwitzia amabilis<br />
P<strong>in</strong>us mugo<br />
Salix matsudana tortuosa<br />
Sassafras albidum<br />
Syr<strong>in</strong>ga vulgaris<br />
Wisteria floribunda<br />
Trees<br />
Betula pendula<br />
Fagus sylvatica<br />
Gleditsia triacanthos<br />
Kalmia latifolia<br />
Picea abies<br />
Picea glauca<br />
P<strong>in</strong>us nigra<br />
P<strong>in</strong>us res<strong>in</strong>osa<br />
P<strong>in</strong>us rigida<br />
Prunus serrulata<br />
Common name<br />
Big bluestem<br />
Sideoats grama<br />
Palm sedge<br />
Pennsylvania sedge<br />
Canada wild rye<br />
Prairie June grass<br />
Woodrush<br />
Switch grass<br />
Little bluestem<br />
Indian grass<br />
Prairie dropseed<br />
Common boxwood<br />
American holly<br />
Droop<strong>in</strong>g leucothoe<br />
Japanese pieris<br />
Paper birch<br />
Colorado blue spruce<br />
Plants SELDOM SEVERELY<br />
damaged<br />
Common name<br />
American bittersweet<br />
Flower<strong>in</strong>g dogwood<br />
Kousa dogwood<br />
Red osier dogwood<br />
English hawthorn<br />
Redve<strong>in</strong> enkianthus<br />
Forsythia<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>ese holly<br />
Inkberry<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>ese junipers<br />
Beautybush<br />
Mugo p<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Corkscrew willow<br />
Common sassafras<br />
Common lilac<br />
Japanese wisteria<br />
European white birch<br />
European beech<br />
Honey locust<br />
Mounta<strong>in</strong> laurel<br />
Norway spruce<br />
White spruce<br />
Austrian p<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Red p<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Pitchp<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Japanese flower<strong>in</strong>g cherry<br />
Plants OCCASIONALLY<br />
damaged<br />
Botanical name<br />
Perennials<br />
Asparagus offic<strong>in</strong>alis<br />
Campsis radicans<br />
Parthenocissus qu<strong>in</strong>quifolia<br />
Potentilla fruticosa<br />
Annuals<br />
Abelmoschus esculentus<br />
Cucurbita pepo<br />
Raphanus sativus<br />
Solanum tuberosum<br />
Common name<br />
Asparagus<br />
Trumpet creeper<br />
Virg<strong>in</strong>ia creeper<br />
Bush c<strong>in</strong>quefoil<br />
Okra<br />
Squash<br />
Radish<br />
Potatoes, Irish<br />
Shrubs<br />
Cornus racemosa<br />
Panicled dogwood<br />
Cot<strong>in</strong>us coggygria<br />
Smokebush<br />
Cotoneaster spp.<br />
Cotoneaster<br />
Cotoneaster apiculatus Cranberry cotoneaster<br />
Cotoneaster horizontalis Rockspray cotoneaster<br />
Cryptomeria japonica Japanese cedar<br />
Forsythia x <strong>in</strong>termedia Border forsythia<br />
Hamamelis virg<strong>in</strong>iana Common witchhazel<br />
Hibiscus syriacus<br />
Rose of Sharon<br />
Hydrangea anomala petiolaris Climb<strong>in</strong>g hydrangea<br />
Hydrangea arborescens Smooth hydrangea<br />
Hydrangea paniculata Panicle hydrangea<br />
Ilex crenata<br />
Japanese holly<br />
Ilex x meserveae<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>a Girl/Boy holly<br />
Juniperus virg<strong>in</strong>iana<br />
Eastern red cedar<br />
Ligustrum x vicaryi<br />
Golden privet<br />
Lonicera x heckrottii<br />
Goldflame honeysuckle<br />
Philadelphus coronarius Sweet mock orange<br />
Pyracantha cocc<strong>in</strong>ea<br />
Firethorn<br />
Rhododendron spp.<br />
Deciduous azaleas<br />
Rhododendron carol<strong>in</strong>ianum Carol<strong>in</strong>a rhododendron<br />
Rhododendron maximum Rosebay rhododendron<br />
Rhus typh<strong>in</strong>a<br />
Staghorn sumac<br />
Rosa rugosa<br />
Rugosa rose<br />
Salix spp.<br />
Willows<br />
Spiraea x bumalda<br />
Anthony waterer spiraea<br />
Spiraea prunifolia<br />
Bridalwreath spiraea<br />
Syr<strong>in</strong>ga x persica<br />
Persian lilac<br />
Syr<strong>in</strong>ga villosa<br />
Late lilac<br />
Viburnum x juddii<br />
Judd viburnum<br />
Viburnum carlesii<br />
Koreanspice viburnum<br />
Viburnum plicatum tomentosum Doublefile viburnum<br />
Viburnum rhytidophyllum Leatherleaf viburnum<br />
Weigela florida<br />
Old-fashioned weigela<br />
Trees<br />
Abies concolor<br />
Acer griseum<br />
Acer rubrum<br />
Acer sacchar<strong>in</strong>um<br />
Acer saccharum<br />
Aesculus hippocastanum<br />
Amelanchier arborea<br />
Amelanchier laevis<br />
White fir<br />
Paperbark maple<br />
Red maple<br />
Silver maple<br />
Sugar maple<br />
Common horsechestnut<br />
Downy serviceberry<br />
Allegheny serviceberry
4<br />
Botanical name<br />
Common name<br />
Trees (cont<strong>in</strong>ued)<br />
Chaenomeles speciosa Japanese flower<strong>in</strong>g qu<strong>in</strong>ce<br />
Larix decidua<br />
European larch<br />
Magnolia x soulangiana Saucer magnolia<br />
Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn redwood<br />
P<strong>in</strong>us strobus<br />
Eastern white p<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Prunus avium<br />
Sweet cherry<br />
Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas fir<br />
Pyrus communis<br />
Common pear<br />
Quercus alba<br />
White oak<br />
Quercus pr<strong>in</strong>us<br />
Chestnut oak<br />
Quercus rubra<br />
Northern red oak<br />
Syr<strong>in</strong>ga reticulata<br />
Japanese tree lilac<br />
Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire' Littleleaf l<strong>in</strong>den<br />
Tilia Americana<br />
Basswood<br />
Tsuga canadensis<br />
Eastern hemlock<br />
Tsuga carol<strong>in</strong>iana<br />
Carol<strong>in</strong>a hemlock<br />
Plants frequently<br />
damaged<br />
Botanical name<br />
Common name<br />
Perennials<br />
Aegopodium podagaria Bishop's weed<br />
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum Japanese pa<strong>in</strong>ted fern<br />
Syr<strong>in</strong>ga reticulata<br />
Wallflower<br />
Clematis spp.<br />
Clematis<br />
Euonymus fortunei var. coloratus W<strong>in</strong>tercreeper euonymus<br />
Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis' W<strong>in</strong>tercreeper<br />
Fragaria spp.<br />
Strawberries<br />
Hedera helix<br />
English ivy<br />
Hemerocallis spp.<br />
Daylily<br />
Hosta spp.<br />
Hosta<br />
Iberis sempervirens<br />
Candytuft<br />
Lilium spp.<br />
Lily<br />
Polygonatum biflorum Solomon's seal<br />
Trillium spp.<br />
Trillium<br />
Tulipa spp.<br />
Tulips<br />
V<strong>in</strong>ca m<strong>in</strong>or<br />
Periw<strong>in</strong>kle<br />
Annuals<br />
Beta vulgaris<br />
Brassica oleracea<br />
Brassica oleracea botrytis<br />
Brassica oleracea capitata<br />
Brassica oleracea italica<br />
Beets<br />
Kohlrabi<br />
Cauliflower<br />
Cabbage<br />
Broccoli<br />
Botanical name<br />
Annuals (cont<strong>in</strong>ued)<br />
Brassica rapa<br />
Daucus carota sativa<br />
Helianthus spp.<br />
Ipomoea batatas<br />
Lactuca sativa<br />
Matthiola <strong>in</strong>carna<br />
Pelargonium spp.<br />
Phaseolus spp.<br />
Pisum sativum<br />
Ranunculus asiaticus<br />
Sp<strong>in</strong>acia oleracea<br />
Viola spp.<br />
Zea mays<br />
Common name<br />
Turnip<br />
Carrot<br />
Sunflower<br />
Potatoes, sweet<br />
Lettuce<br />
Stock<br />
Geranium<br />
Beans<br />
Peas<br />
Buttercup<br />
Sp<strong>in</strong>ach<br />
Pansies & violas<br />
Corn, sweet<br />
Shrubs<br />
Chamaecyparis thyoides Atlantic white cedar<br />
Euonymus alatus<br />
W<strong>in</strong>ged euonymus<br />
Rhododendron spp.<br />
Rhododendrons<br />
Rhododendron spp.<br />
Evergreen azaleas<br />
Rhododendron catawbiense Catawba rhododendron<br />
Rhododendron periclymenoides P<strong>in</strong>xterbloom azalea<br />
Rosa x hybrid<br />
Hybrid tea rose<br />
Taxus spp.<br />
Yews<br />
Taxus baccata<br />
English yew<br />
Taxus brevifolia<br />
Western yew<br />
Taxus cuspidate<br />
Japanese yew<br />
Thuja occidentalis<br />
American arborvitae<br />
Trees<br />
Abies balsamea<br />
Abies fraseri<br />
Acer platanoides<br />
Cercis canadensis<br />
Cornus mas<br />
Malus spp.<br />
Prunus spp.<br />
Prunus spp.<br />
Sorbus aucuparia<br />
Balsam fir<br />
Fraser fir<br />
‘Crimson K<strong>in</strong>g’ maple<br />
Eastern redbud<br />
Cornelian cherry dogwood<br />
Apples<br />
Cherries<br />
Plums<br />
European mounta<strong>in</strong> ash<br />
Tables based on text by M.J. Farglone, P.D. Curtis and M.E. Richmond. 1991. Resistance<br />
of woody ornamental plants to deer damage. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell Coop. Ext.<br />
with <strong>in</strong>formation from Dr. Arthur Cameron, MSU Department of Horticulture.<br />
PLEASE REMEMBER:<br />
Under some conditions, deer may eat unpalatable<br />
or “deer-resistant” plants — no plant species will<br />
be avoided by deer under all conditions.<br />
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. <strong>Michigan</strong> <strong>State</strong> <strong>University</strong> Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to<br />
race, color, national orig<strong>in</strong>, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status<br />
or veteran status. Issued <strong>in</strong> furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, <strong>in</strong> cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.<br />
Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lans<strong>in</strong>g, MI 48824. This <strong>in</strong>formation is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products<br />
or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias aga<strong>in</strong>st those not mentioned.
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