Skip to main content
Customize by Zip Code

User account menu

  • Help Center
Menu Search
Home Home
Miracle-Gro

Main Navigation (US)

  • Products

    • Soils and Amendments

    • Plant Food and Care

    • Aerogarden

    • Seeds

    • Garden Tools

    • Featured Products

      Miracle-Gro® Liquafeed® All Purpose Plant Food Advance Starter Kit
      Miracle-Gro® Watering Can Singles® All Purpose Water Soluble Plant Food
  • Learn and Grow

    • Container Gardening

    • Raised Bed Gardening

    • Community Gardening

    • Edible Gardening

    • Flowers & Landscaping

    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb

    • Garden Planning

    • Gardening Basics

    • Indoor Gardening

    • Rose & Flower Gardening

    • Garden Recipes

    • Small Space Gardening

    • Trees, Shrubs & Landscaping

    • Water Friendly Gardening

    • What's in our potting mix?

    • Featured Articles

      Growing Strawberries
      Growing Strawberries
    • My Garden App for iOS and ANDROID

Search
tree and shrub category header

Trees, Shrubs & Landscaping

Deer Resistant Landscaping

Using the right strategies in your landscape will help to keep deer munching elsewhere

deer

High deer populations and bad weather can strain habitat and make deer eat plants they don't normally like - which means you have to be proactive in keeping deer away from the tasty treats in your garden. For the most effective defense, try a combination of the three most popular remedies: deer-resistant plants, deer fencing and deer repellents.

Deer in the lawn

Deer-Resistant Plants

If given a choice, deer prefer plants that are bland. In general, they shy away from certain aromatic plants or those plants whose foliage or sap they find irritating. Remember, though, if they're hungry enough, deer will feed on plants they normally avoid. If you're looking for shrubs that are hardy, easy to plant and unappealing to deer, try these three.

People landscaping in smaller yards are starting to grow vines for vertical color and appeal. To keep your neighborhood deer browsing elsewhere, check out these 3 beautiful vines that are usually off the deer menu.

There are flowers you can grow to keep deer at bay, too. Here are 3 perennials deer don't like. But growing deer resistant plants won't prevent deer from munching on selections from your garden they do like. For that you'll need to rely on some additional measures.

Deer Fencing

Enclosing your entire yard with fencing may not be possible, but you can consider erecting deer fencing around your vegetable garden, back yard, or other select areas. The most popular type of fencing is a black, polypropylene mesh, which generally comes in heights ranging from 4 - 7.5 feet. Because deer have a problem with depth perception and certain colors, the black mesh makes it difficult for them to distinguish the top of the fence. Instead of trying to jump it, they move along it - and, with luck, away from your landscape.

deer in the street

Deer Repellents

Two common types of repellents dominate the market: contact repellents, which are applied directly to the plants, and area repellents, which are applied around areas you wish to deter deer from visiting. Most repellents, like Ortho® Deer B Gon® Deer & Rabbit Repellent, contain natural ingredients and emit an odor that turns deer off. Depending on the time of year and rainfall, repellents may need to be re-applied to remain effective. With some trial and error, you can discover a combination of deer fencing, deer-resistant plants and deer repellents that can encourage your 4-legged friends to feast elsewhere, and you can enjoy their beauty from a distance rather than close up.

miracle gro soft wire tie
Miracle-Gro® Soft Wire Tie
5.00
Learn More
Related Article
Bird Shelter Benefits & Tips

Trees, shrubs, brush piles and boxes provide year-round shelter for birds.

Learn More
phone
Call us or text questions.1-888-270-3714
contact us
Send us an email.Contact us

Main navigation (US)

  • Products

    • Soils and Amendments

    • Plant Food and Care

    • Aerogarden

    • Seeds

    • Garden Tools

  • Learn and Grow

    • Container Gardening

    • Raised Bed Gardening

    • Community Gardening

    • Edible Gardening

    • Flowers & Landscaping

    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb

    • Garden Planning

    • Gardening Basics

    • Indoor Gardening

    • Rose & Flower Gardening

    • Garden Recipes

    • Small Space Gardening

    • Trees, Shrubs & Landscaping

    • Water Friendly Gardening

    • What's in our potting mix?

Social Media

  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Download Our App

My Garden App by Miracle-Gro helps simplify your lawn care.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Return Policy
  • Site Map
  • The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
  • Our Brands
  • Investor Relations
  • Careers

©2018 The Scotts Company LLC, all rights reserved.