Some deer-resistant plants from a master gardener

Some deer-resistant plants

for Calvert & Anne Arundel Gardens

The following list comes to us by way of our yogini master gardener, Mary Stuart Sierra:

These are plants I’ve had good luck with, even as deer populations have steadily increased in most of our area. Of course, deer will sometimes experiment, and if they’re hungry enough they’ll try anything. No plant is totally deer-proof.

* Indicates a species native to this region

Late winter to spring:

Daffodils
Columbine (Aquilegia)*
Christmas/Lenten Roses (Helleborus)
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia)*
Bluestar (Amsonia)*
Spicebush (Lindera)*
Grape Holly (Mahonia)
Sweetbox (Sarcococca)

Early to mid- summer:

Astilbe (Astilbe)
Cohosh (Actaea)*
Iris (Iris)
Crocosmia (Crocosmia)
Foxglove (Digitalis)
Hyssop (Agastache)*
Beebalm/Wild Bergamot (Monarda)*
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)*
Glossy Abelia (Abelia)
Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

Late summer to fall:

Autumn Crocus (Colchicum)
Turtlehead (Chelone)*
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa)*
Monkshood (Aconite)
Japanese Anemone (Anemone)
Obedient Plant (Physostegia)*
White Snakeroot (Ageratina)*
Resurrection Lily (Lycoris)
Ferns and grasses are generally safe from deer, as are strong-scented herbs.

Kindly share your gardening tips with us….