Complete Gardening
Creating a beautiful garden that thrives without being nibbled away by deer and rabbits can seem like a challenge.
However, nature provides a wonderful selection of perennials that are naturally resistant to these common garden visitors.
In this post, we’ll explore 20 stunning perennials that you will love for their beauty and resilience, while deer and rabbits will avoid them.
1. Lavender
Lavender is a fragrant herb that not only adds beauty to any garden but also repels deer and rabbits with its strong scent. Its purple flowers and silvery-green foliage provide a calming aesthetic.
2. Yarrow
Yarrow is a hardy perennial known for its feathery leaves and clusters of yellow, white, or pink flowers. Its bitter taste deters deer and rabbits, making it a low-maintenance choice.
3. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart features delicate, heart-shaped flowers that dangle along graceful arching stems. Its unique appearance and unpalatable taste keep deer and rabbits away.
4. Russian Sage
Russian Sage offers a burst of blue with its spiky flowers and aromatic leaves. Deer and rabbits tend to ignore this plant due to its strong fragrance.
5. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, with its sunny, daisy-like flowers, is a vibrant addition to any garden. Its hardiness and unappetizing taste make it undesirable to deer and rabbits.
6. Salvia
Salvia is cherished for its rich blue and purple flower spikes. Its aromatic nature deters deer and rabbits, and its drought resistance makes it easy to care for.
7. Foxglove
Foxglove features tall spires of tubular flowers that are both beautiful and toxic, a combination that effectively repels deer and rabbits.
8. Catmint
Catmint is related to catnip and shares its aromatic qualities. Its fragrance and texture are off-putting to deer and rabbits, while its blooms attract pollinators.
9. Peony
Peonies are known for their large, fragrant flowers and lush foliage. Their bitter taste makes them unappealing to deer and rabbits, while they enchant gardeners.
10. Brunnera
Brunnera’s heart-shaped leaves and delicate blue flowers add charm to shaded areas. Its texture and taste are unattractive to deer and rabbits.
11. Astilbe
Astilbe produces beautiful plumes of flowers in a range of colors. Its fibrous texture and bitter taste keep deer and rabbits at bay.
12. Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is loved for its soft, woolly leaves that cover the ground. Its texture deters deer and rabbits, making it a great ground cover option.
13. Japanese Anemone
Japanese Anemones are late bloomers that bring color to fall gardens. Their unpalatable nature makes them resistant to deer and rabbit browsing.
14. Bee Balm
Bee Balm is not only a magnet for pollinators but also unappealing to deer and rabbits due to its strong scent and taste.
15. Echinacea
Echinacea, or coneflower, is celebrated for its daisy-like appearance and medicinal properties. Its spiky center and scent deter deer and rabbits.
16. Hellebore
Hellebores are winter bloomers with tough leaves and flowers, making them unappealing to deer and rabbits while providing early garden color.
17. Ferns
Ferns add texture and greenery to shaded gardens. Their leathery fronds make them less appetizing to deer and rabbits.
18. Baptisia
Baptisia, also known as false indigo, boasts beautiful blue flowers and a tough constitution, which helps it resist deer and rabbit damage.
19. Sedum
Sedum’s succulent leaves and late-season blooms are drought-tolerant and unappealing to deer and rabbits, making it a resilient choice.
20. Daffodils
Daffodils are iconic spring flowers with toxic bulbs and leaves that deer and rabbits avoid. Their cheerful blooms mark the arrival of spring.