What are the most deer resistant plants in New Jersey?
Hydrangeas are high on the list of plants that deer enjoy.
In 2010, Sussex County adopted its motto “People and Nature Together”. It really couldn’t be much closer to the truth. I know wildlife abounds in my yard. Fox, deer, squirrels, bears, birds, bats, possum, raccoons, teenagers. It’s amazing.
And when it comes to turning a New Jersey backyard patio into a little slice of heaven, the inclusion of at least a few flowering plants, shrubs, and ground cover is a must. This is especially true when a creating an outdoor living area with a natural landscape design. It’s perfect for easily attracting beautiful bees, birds, and butterflies. But like many of us in Sparta, or even many areas of New Jersey for that matter, we wage a constant war with Odocoileus virginianus (White-Tailed Deer), who often regard our gardens as an open salad bar.
There are different ways of persuading deer from participating in a back yard Smorgasbord. For example,
Spray and pellet repellents
Spices
Bar soap
Fencing
Garden sprayers
Large predatory cats
Dedicated S.W.A.T. teams
But for now, let’s concentrate on plants that are deer resistant.
Notice I used the term deer resistant and not deer proof. Plant nurseries, fellow homeowners, and other landscapers have confirmed my personal experience; When deer are hungry, they will eat just about anything. I’ve been floored at what has been lost to voracious deer throughout the winter. The only deer proof plants I know of are closed off by a tall fence.
We don't have the same weakness for a tasty Hosta that deer have. Instead, some fine folks at Rutgers have compiled an impressive list of plants preferred and not-so-preferred by deer.
This extensive list categorizes plants on a four-tier scale that ranges from Rarely Damaged to Frequently Severely Damaged. Again, noice the lack of extremes. No one will ever say never or always when it comes to plants and deer resistance. Rutgers compiled this list based on the input from nursery and landscape professionals, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension personnel, and Rutgers Master Gardeners in northern New Jersey.
This is a fantastic resource, but you may want to also visit your local plant nursery where you’ll be making your purchase. They’re likely to have a list of the deer resistant plants they sell. And they will be able to provide you with specific information about what plants would be best for your garden and your design. Shade or sun-loving? Perennials or annuals? Large or small? High maintenance or low maintenance? This can save a lot of guesswork and research.
Understand that even though plants may be deer resistant, some are considered invasive, which means they’ll have a tendency to take over an area. We advise not using them. This includes:
Barberry
Burning Bush
Forsythia
Honeysuckle
Wisteria
Silvergrass
Norway Maple
When we build country landscapes for our clients, we have our own favorites.
Boxwood - Used sparingly can help frame a natural landscape. A highly rated deer resistant plant, though susceptible to certain pests.
Catmint - A staple in our gardens. Also note that catmint provides a natural repellent to deer and damaging insects. Plant with your boxwoods.
Ornamental Grasses - A few here or there can be cool, avoid recreating your favorite hole at the local golf course.
Arrowwood Viburnum - A woodland favorite with a nice, white flower.
Bayberry - Not to be confused with Barberry. This citrus scented plant works well in the transition area.
Ferns - Got shade, get ferns. They will help the transition area remain natural and authentic.
Lungwort - A neat little accent perennial. Look for the variegated kind to add some interest.
In Sparta, we pay a bit of a “wildlife tax” for living in a picturesque area. We find most of our clients opt to work with nature rather than to fight it. Sometimes this requires a more lax approach to gardening, but this is supposed to be fun right? The great part about gardening is it is fluid, always evolving, and never fixed. Coming up with a plan for the future is always helpful, but testing and playing along the way is half the fun.
We understand that most people just need a simple and low maintenance garden to help beautify the property. Not everyone is right for a full-on boutique landscape design. The great part is that when working with an established professional in the natural landscape industry, you can custom tailor your property to meet your needs.
At Sierra, we help families create memories through well-planned outdoor spaces, bringing nature a little closer to the home, and helping these experiences remain authentic. If you are ready to create new memories and spaces, we encourage you call us or click the button below and get the conversation started. You might be surprised at how attainable a life-changing overhaul of your property can be.
Keeping nature close to home can be healing and wonderful, but with a little planning, your yard doesn’t have to be a wildlife buffet.