Deer-resistant Plants

Acanthus mollis

Common Name

Bear's Breech

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Remains evergreen in summer with irrigation.

Achillea spp.

Common Name

Yarrow

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Flowers in a wide range of colors.

Agastache spp

Common Name

Hyssop

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Cut to ground in late winter.

Artemisia spp

Common Name

Artemisia

Exposure

Sun

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Some

Notes/Remarks

Evergreen.

Baccharis pilularis

Common Name

Coyote Brush

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Tough plant - withstands harsh conditions. Groundcovers and upright shrubs available.

Berberis spp

Common Name

Barberry

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Some have berries in winter. Many attractive foliage colors such as lime and burgundy.

Bouteloua gracilis

Common Name

Blue Grama

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Reddish flower heads in summer.

Buxus spp

Common Name

Box

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Slow growing. Classic hedge plant

Calamagrostis x acutiflora

Common Name

Feather Reed Grass

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Forms dramatic narrow clumps, attractive flowers.

Callistemon spp

Common Name

Bottle Brush

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Some varieties frost-tender.

Carex spp.

Common Name

Sedge

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Some

Notes/Remarks

Brown or green leaved varieties provide contrast in color and texture.

Catalpa bignoides

Common Name

Indian Bean

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

A tough, summer-flowering tree for difficult sites.

Cedrus spp or cv

Common Name

Cedar

Exposure

Sun

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Cedars need plenty of space; weeping forms need training.

Centauria cineraria

Common Name

Dusty Miller

Exposure

Sun

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Flowers in summer; foliage attractive year-round.

Choisya ternata

Common Name

Mexican Orange

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Fragrant white flowers late winter/early spring. Part shade in hottest locations.

Cistus spp.

Common Name

Rock rose

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Needs good drainage.

Citrus spp

Common Name

Orange, Lemon, etc

Exposure

Sun

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Dwarf varieties available for containers or patios

Correa spp

Common Name

Australian fuschia

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Yellow, pink, or orange winter flowers. May be hedged.

Crataegus phaenopyrum

Common Name

Washington Thorn

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Spring flowers, fall color, winter berries.

Cupressus spp

Common Name

Cypress

Exposure

Sun

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Some

Notes/Remarks

Scale-like foliage similar to juniper.

Daphne odora ‘Aureo-marginata’

Common Name

Winter Daphne

Exposure

Part Shade

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Compact forms available. Extremely fragrant flowers

Dietes spp.

Common Name

Fortnight lily

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Old stalks will re-flower.

Dodonaea viscosa

Common Name

Hop Bush

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Can be pruned to control size and shape. Good screen or hedge.

Elaeagnus pungens

Common Name

Silverberry

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Tough plant; withstands harsh conditions. Groundcovers and upright shrubs available.

Erica spp

Common Name

Heath

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Prefers acid soil with organic content. Some frost tender

Erigeron spp.

Common Name

Seaside Daisy, Mexican Daisy

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Some

Notes/Remarks

Cut back in winter to renew; most flower year-round .

Eryngium amethystinum

Common Name

Sea Holly

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Grown for dramatic foliage and showy bracts around flower heads.

Escallonia spp

Common Name

Escallonia

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Good hedge or screen. Long summer bloom. Can die back in hard freeze, generally recovers.

Eschscholzia californica

Common Name

California Poppy

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Native has orange flowers. Cultivars available with pink, white, cream, salmon flowers.

Euphorbia spp.

Common Name

Spurge

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Some reseed but seedlings are easy to pull out. Huge size variation amongst species.

Festuca californica

Common Name

California Fescue

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Good planted under native oaks

Festuca idahoensis

Common Name

Idaho Blue Fescule

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Small, low clumps need replacing every few years

Garrya elliptica

Common Name

Silktassel

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Winter catkins dramatic. Can be pruned to control size and shape.

Grevillea robusta

Common Name

Silk Oak

Exposure

Sun

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

No

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Fast-growing, bright golden flowers in summer. Leaf drop can be messy.

Helianthemum spp

Common Name

Sun Rose

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Brilliant flower display. Should be sheared afterwards to showcase evergreen foliage. Many different flower colors.

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Common Name

Blue Oat Grass

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Golden flower stalks contrast with blue foliage

Helleborus spp.

Common Name

Hellebore

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Water requirements vary greatly by species. H. argutifolia, foetidus, lividus and sternii most drought-tolerant.

Heteromeles arbutifolia

Common Name

Toyon

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Large shrub. Excellent fall/winter interest.

Iris spp

Common Name

Iris

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Some

Notes/Remarks

Native types take full sun along coast, some shade inland.

Juniperus spp

Common Name

Juniper

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Some

Notes/Remarks

Huge variety, from groundcovers to large shrubs. Many landscape uses. Tolerant of many conditions and useful in hot, sunny sites.

Kniphofia spp

Common Name

Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Attractive to hummingbirds; groom in spring to maintain appearance.

Lavendula spp

Common Name

Lavender

Exposure

Sun

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Cut back in winter to renew - plants generally need replacing in 4-6 years.

Lepechinia spp

Common Name

Pitcher Sage

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Remove stems in winter at ground level.

Luma apiculata

Common Name

Luma

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Beautiful bark, good hedge or screen or specimen plant.

Magnolia spp

Common Name

Magnolia

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Deciduous types are often called tulip trees for the shape of their white,yellow or pink flowers.

Mahonia spp

Common Name

Mahonia, Oregon Grape

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Striking foliage, good flower display and showy berries. Part shade in hottest locations.

Monardella spp

Common Name

Monardella

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Requires fast-draining soil; good in native or rock gardens.

Muhlenbergia

Common Name

Muhly Grass

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Benefits from occasional summer irrigation

Muhlenbergia rigens

Common Name

Deer Grass

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Native; dramatic accent grass, cut back every few years to freshen

Myrtus communis

Common Name

Myrtle

Exposure

Sun

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Good in mixed or shrub border, small hedge or specimen planting. Good drainage.

Nandina domestica

Common Name

Heavenly Bamboo

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Flowers, persistent red berries, less water if shaded.

Nepeta spp

Common Name

Catmint

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Cut back in winter to renew.

Nerium oleander

Common Name

Oleander

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

All parts of plant toxic. Good hedge or screen. Tolerant of many conditions and useful in hot, sunny sites.

Olea europaea “Little Ollie”

Common Name

Dwarf Fruitless Olive

Exposure

Sun

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

No

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

This dwarf olive tree is actually a shrub that bears little if any fruit and
is valued for its low water needs, tolerance of pruning, and attractive
dark green foliage. Space plants 6 feet apart for a fast growing,
dense screen or hedge. Unsheared shrubs reach 12 feet high and
wide.

Olea spp

Common Name

Olive

Exposure

Sun

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Fruitless and dwarf varieties available.

Origanum spp.

Common Name

Oregano

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Cut back in winter to renew.

Osmanthus heterophyllus

Common Name

Hollyleaf Osmanthus

Exposure

Part Shade

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Good hedge or screen, in shrub border or woodland garden.

Pelargonium spp.

Common Name

Scented Geranium

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Aromatic foliage shunned by deer; some types are variegated.

Pennisetum orientale

Common Name

Fountain Grass

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Large, feathery plumes; clumps enlarge each year

Perovskia atriplicifolia

Common Name

Russian Sage

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Cut back in early spring to renew.

Phlomis spp

Common Name

Phlomis

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Showy spring display of yellow flowers. Wooly gray-green leaves.

Phormium spp.

Common Name

New Zealand Flax

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Good drainage. Some varieties are huge, many different foliage colors available. Great accent plants.

Quercus kelloggii

Common Name

Black Oak

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Leaves emerge in beautiful pinkish hues in spring, mature bright green, and turn yellow-orange in fall.

Rhamnus californica

Common Name

Coffeeberry

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Some

Notes/Remarks

Excellent hedge, screen or specimen. Prune to control size and shape. Some varieties have showy berries.

Rhus integrifolia

Common Name

Lemonade Berry

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Can be frost-tender inland, spring flowers, summer red fruit.

Rhus ovata

Common Name

Sugarbush

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Attractive foliage, good form.

Rhus spp

Common Name

Sumac

Exposure

Sun

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Brilliant fall color; some species spread by suckering.

Ribes spp

Common Name

Flowering Currant

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Flowers pink, yellow or white in spring; attracts hummingbirds.

Rosmarinus officinalis

Common Name

Rosemary

Exposure

Sun

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Varies from groundcover to upright or trailing shrubs. Blue flowers in winter attract butterflies and bees.

Salvia spp.

Common Name

Sage

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Some

Notes/Remarks

Huge genus with much variation. Virtually all suitable for Bay Area.

Santolina chamaecyparissus

Common Name

Lavender Cotton

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Fast growing but short-lived. Trim after flowering, cut back in spring.

Sarcococca

Common Name

Sweet Box

Exposure

Part Shade

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

White, fragrant flowers, berry-like fruit. Good drainage

Senecio spp

Common Name

Dusty Miller

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Classic dusty miller foliage; renew by shearing annually.

Senecio viravira

Common Name

Dusty Miller

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Palest white of Dusty Millers; pinch stem tips to encourage compactness.

Sesleria spp.

Common Name

Moor Grass

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Yellow seed heads contrast with pale green foliage

Sisyrinchium spp

Common Name

Blue Eyed Grass/Yellow Eyed Grass

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Some

Notes/Remarks

Several cultivars available, some variegated.

Solanum jasminoides

Common Name

Potato Vine

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Blue or white flowers, long summer bloom. Cut back to renew.

Symphoricarpos albus

Common Name

Snowberry

Exposure

Part Shade

Water

Occasional

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Yes

Notes/Remarks

Spring flowers followed by long-lasting dramatic white berries.

Teucrium spp

Common Name

Germander

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Some are large and shrubby, others much smaller.

Thymus spp

Common Name

Thyme

Exposure

Sn/Par-Shady

Water

Low

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Genus includes ground-covers and upright or mounding perennials.

Tulbaghia violacea

Common Name

Society Garlic

Exposure

Sun

Water

Moderate

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

Faint aroma of garlic; long bloom period spring through fall.

Westringia fruticosa

Common Name

Coast Rosemary

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

No

Notes/Remarks

White or pale blue flowers. Tolerates harsh conditions. Good drainage.

Yucca spp

Common Name

Yucca

Exposure

Sun

Water

Drought Tolerant

Deer Resist.?

Yes

Ca. Native?

Some

Notes/Remarks

Some species form woody trunks.