Some Outstanding Deer Resistant Perennials

A Great Deer Resistant List Too

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Hellebore - float the flowers on water

Now is the time to think about what plants to plant in spring – I always go for deer resistant plants because in my part of the world, deer are rampant.

The situation is so bad that deer walk down the streets of my village, chomping on our plants like a free buffet. It makes a plant lover sigh with resignation. 

But - with a little knowledge and some design ideas - you can have a lovely garden that deer avoid, or at least, not chew on. In this post I am going to look at a few perennial flowering plants (those plants that come back every year) that deer rarely damage. These suggestions are from my 2021 book - Floratopia: 110 Flower Garden Ideas for Yard, Patio or Balcony. All photos are by Jan Johnsen

Columbine

Every year, in early spring, I plant a blue columbine in a planter by my front door. Here is the hybrid ‘Swan Blue and White’ columbine (Aquilegia × hybrida ‘Swan Blue and White’), which has fine, long spurs and large bicolor blossoms held atop sturdy 24- inch stems. It is a deer- resistant, spring- blooming perennial. After the flowers have passed in summer, I lift it and plant it in a flower bed for future flowering. Excellent for cutting. Zones 3– 8.

Swan Blue and White’ columbine (Aquilegia × hybrida ‘Swan Blue and White’