Four Award-Winning, Deer Resistant Plants for Spring

FINE TEXTURE – ‘Cat’s Meow’ catmint (Nepeta)

This dependable, easy care perennial embodies three of the traits deer despise most: fine texture, fuzzy foliage and fragrance. Catmint is an ornamental herb that’s commonly grown as a low border or massed to fill the middle of garden beds. ‘Cat’s Meow’ is unique in that it maintains its tidy shape without overtaking nearby plants, and you’ll see blooms from early summer through early fall. 

Even if your soil is less than ideal, as long as it doesn’t stay waterlogged, this ruggedly handsome perennial will flourish. Heat and drought are tolerated easily, and plants thrive in a minimum of six hours of afternoon sun.  

2025 Landscape Perennial of the Year^™! Hardy perennial for zones 3-8, full sun, grows 17-20” tall x 2-3’ wide, attracts pollinators but is deer and rabbit resistant.

FUZZY TEXTURE – ‘Jack of Diamonds’ heartleaf brunnera (Brunnera)

Feel the leaves of this shade-loving perennial and you’ll know why deer don’t find it palatable. Its sandpapery texture keeps it out of the mouths of most critters, but the baby blue flowers are loved by pollinators in the springtime. It pairs beautifully with other deer resistant shade plants like ferns and lungwort. 

When it first emerges in the spring, you might mistake this heartleaf brunnera for any other. However, once it has finished blooming, Jack of Diamond’s leaves expand to the huge size you see here at right, measuring up to 9-10 inches across. An extra helping of disease resistance keeps them looking clean and silvery through fall. 

2025 Perennial of the Year^™! Hardy perennial for zones 3-8, part shade to full shade, grows 14-16” tall x 28-32” wide, attracts pollinators but is deer resistant.

FRAGRANCE – Scentara^™ Double Blue lilac (Syringa x hyacinthiflora)

The species of this lilac – hyacinthiflora - gives a clue to its deer resistance. Like hyacinths, this type of lilac is one of the most fragrant you’ll find. It fills the air with its classic heady lilac scent that most people welcome but makes deer steer clear. 

An abundance of robust panicles of cool lilac blue, double flowers bloom in spring each year. Thick, dark green, disease resistant foliage and a nicely rounded shape keeps this shrub looking pristine all season. Use it as a backdrop in a perennial garden or plant a hedge to create privacy between neighbors or to screen a view.

2025 Flowering Shrub of the Year^™! Hardy shrub for zones 2-8, full sun, grows 6-8’ tall and wide, attracts pollinators but is deer resistant.

POISONOUS – Heart to Heart^® ‘Blushing Bride’ caladium (Caladium)

Don’t let this beautiful ‘Blushing Bride’ fool you – it’s no shrinking violet when it comes to deer resistance. Caladiums contain calcium oxalate crystals which irritate a deer’s mouth, so while they may sample a leaf, they aren’t likely to devour the whole plant. 

With this unique variety, you’ll enjoy the benefit of two colors in one plant. The container pictured here is filled with only Heart to Heart ‘Blushing Bride’ caladiums. Its leaves unfurl bright pink, then soften to blush white with green accents. Fresh leaves sprout all summer, retaining the two-toned look.

In cooler climates, you can enjoy this caladium just about anywhere since it thrives in both sun and shade. In warmer zones, provide some afternoon shade. Growing in containers helps to keep the soil warmer, which caladiums appreciate.  

2025 Caladium of the Year^™! Tropical plant grown as an annual, sun to shade, grows 15-20” tall x 8-10” wide, deer resistant.