Susceptibility of Plants to Deer Damage

Care and How-To

Damage caused by deer browsing on garden plants can be a problem in rural and suburban areas in Iowa. The amount of damage depends upon seasonal factors, weather conditions, availability of alternative foods, and plant palatability. Prevention of deer browsing is difficult.
More information about deer management can be found on this website: White-Tailed Deer: Damage Management

Hosta with Deer Damage
Hosta damaged from deer browsing 

Home gardeners may be able to avoid some deer damage with careful plant selection. The lists below are compiled from several sources across the United States based on surveys and observations. 

Plant species that will be damaged by deer can vary widely based on the location, the deer population, and the other food sources available.  Nearly any plant (including those listed on the "Rarely Damaged by Deer" list below) can be browsed on by deer, but some species are much more likely to be damaged than others. 

Use these lists to select annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs that are less likely to be damaged by deer.


Rarely Damaged | Seldom Damaged | Occasionally Damaged | Frequently Damaged


Plants Rarely Damaged by Deer

Perennials | Ornamental Grasses | Ferns | Groundcovers | Bulbs | Annuals | Trees & Shrubs | Fruits & Vegetables | Herbs

Perennials Rarely Damaged by Deer

  • Monkshood (Aconitum spp.)
  • Anise Hyssop (Agastache spp.)
  • Bluestars (Amsonia spp.)
  • Rock-Cress (Arabis caucasica)
  • Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphylum)
  • Wormwood, Silver Mound (Artemisia spp.)
  • Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
  • European Ginger (Asarum europaeum)
  • Basket of Gold (Aurinia saxatilis)
  • False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
  • Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla)
  • Cactus (Cactaceae family)
  • Threadleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)
  • Corydalis (Corydalis spp.)
  • Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia)
  • Common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
  • Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro)
  • Spurge (Euphorbia spp.)
  • Lenten Rose, Christmas Rose (Helleborus spp.)
  • Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
  • Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
  • Iris (Iris spp.)
  • Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
  • Bush Clover (Lespedeza bicolor)
  • Leopard Plant (Ligularia spp.)
  • Statice (Limonium latifolium)
  • Butter & Eggs (Linaria vulgaris)
  • Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria)
  • Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
  • Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
  • Peony (Paeonia spp.)
  • Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
  • May Apple (Podophyllum spp.)
  • Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)
  • Rodgers Flower (Rodgersia spp.)
  • Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
  • Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantine)
  • Meadow Rue (Thalictrum spp.)
  • Adam's Needle (Yucca filimentosa)

Perennials Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Ornamental Grasses Rarely Damaged by Deer *

  • Big Bluestem (Andropogon spp.)
  • Giant Reed (Arundo donax)
  • Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis spp.)
  • Sedge (most)  (Carex spp.)
  • Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
  • Ravenna Grass (Erianthus ravennae)
  • Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
  • Hakonechloa (Hakonechloa macra)
  • Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
  • Hard Rush (Juncus effusus)
  • Lyme Grass (Leymus arenarius glaucous)
  • Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
  • Purple Moor Grass (Molinia caerulea)
  • Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)
  • Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
  • Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
  • Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
  • Cattail (Typha latifolia)

*Nearly all ornamental grasses are not browsed on by deer.

Ferns Rarely Damaged by Deer **

  • Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium nipponicum)
  • Lady Fern (Athyrium spp.)
  • Hayscented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula)
  • Wood Fern (Dryopteris marginalis)
  • Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
  • Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
  • Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
  • Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)
  • Christmas Fern (Polystichum arcostichoides)

**Nearly all species of ferns are not browsed on by deer.

Groundcovers Rarely Damaged by Deer

  • Bishop's Weed (Aegopodium podagaria)
  • Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
  • Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
  • Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
  • Barrenwort (Epimedium spp.)
  • Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
  • Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium spp.)
  • Allegheny Spurge (Pachysandra procumbens)
  • Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)

Groundcovers Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally

Bulbs Rarely Damaged by Deer

  • Ornamental Onion (Allium spp.)
  • Autumn Crocus (Colchicum spp.)
  • Winter Aconite (Eranthus hyemalis)
  • Crown Imperial, Fritilia (Fritilaria imperialis)
  • Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)
  • Snowflake (Leucojum vernum)
  • Daffodil (Narcissus spp.)
  • Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)

Bulbs Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Annuals Rarely Damaged by Deer

  • Floss Flower (Ageratum houstonianum)
  • Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
  • Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.)
  • Pot Marigold (Calendula spp.)
  • Annual Vinca (Catharanthus rosea)
  • Dusty Miller (Centaurea cineraria)
  • Spider Flower (Cleome spp.)
  • Elephant Ear (Colocasia spp.)
  • Larkspur (Consolida ambigua)
  • Angel's Trumpet (Datura spp.)
  • Strawflower (Helichrysum spp.)
  • Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)
  • Polka-dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
  • Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
  • False Camomile (Matricaria spp.)
  • Four O'Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)
  • Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.)
  • Dusty Miller (Senecio spp.)

Annuals Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Trees and Shrubs Rarely Damaged by Deer

  • Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora)
  • Devil's Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa)
  • Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
  • Barberry (Berberis spp.)
  • River Birch (Betula nigra)
  • Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
  • Butterfly Bush (Buddleia spp.)
  • Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
  • Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
  • Daphne (Daphne spp.)
  • Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
  • Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia aquifolium)
  • Russian Cypress (Microbiota decussata)
  • Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)
  • Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica')
  • Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)
  • Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
  • Bush Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)
  • Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)
  • Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)

Trees and Shrubs Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Fruits and Vegetables Rarely Damaged by Deer

  • Hot Peppers, Sweet Peppers (Capsicum spp.)
  • Onion, Garlic (Allium spp.)
  • Watermelon (Citrulus lanatus)
  • Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo)
  • Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
  • Eggplant (Solanum melongena)

Fruits and Vegetables Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Herbs Rarely Damaged by Deer

  • Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
  • Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
  • Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
  • Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
  • Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
  • Mint (Mentha spp.)
  • Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
  • Oregano (Origanum spp.)
  • Anise (Pimpinalla anisum)
  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
  • Rue (Ruta spp.)
  • Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis)
  • Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
  • Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)
  • Thyme (Thymus spp.)

Herbs Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly 


Plants Seldom Severely Damaged by Deer

Perennials | Groundcovers | Vines | Bulbs | Annuals | Trees & Shrubs | Fruits & Vegetables | Herbs

Perennials Seldom Damaged by Deer

  • Yarrow (Achillea spp.)
  • Ladys' Mantle (Alchemilla spp.)
  • Bugloss (Anchusa spp.)
  • Japanese Anemone (Anemone × hybrida)
  • Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
  • Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima)
  • Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
  • Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
  • Heartleaf Bergenia, Pig Squeak (Bergenia spp.)
  • White Boltonia (Boltonia asteroids)
  • Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium spp.)
  • Snakeroot, Bugbane (Cimcifuga spp.)
  • Lance Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
  • Delphinium (Delphinium spp.)
  • Carnation, Pinks (Dianthus spp.)
  • Gas Plant (Dictamus alba)
  • Yellow Foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora)
  • Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
  • Trout Lily (Erythronium)
  • White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum)
  • Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.)
  • Baby's Breath (Gypsophila spp.)
  • Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
  • Coralbells (Heuchera spp.)
  • St. John's Wort (Hypericum calycinum)
  • Candytuf (Iberis sempervirens)
  • Yellow Wax-Bells (Kirengeshoma palmata)
  • Red-Hot Poker (Kniphofia tritoma)
  • Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)
  • Lupine (Lupinus spp.)
  • Maltese Cross  (Lychnis chalcedonica)
  • Plume Poppy (Macleaya cordata)
  • Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
  • Beebalm (Monarda didyma)
  • Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis spp.)
  • Poppy (Papaver spp.)
  • Obedient Plant (Physostegia spp.)
  • Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum)
  • Primrose (Primula spp.)
  • Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.)
  • Meadow Sage (Salvia nemorosa)
  • Soapwort (Saponaria spp.)
  • Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa caucasica)
  • Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.)
  • Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
  • Stokes' Aster (Stokesia laevis)
  • Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.)
  • Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpos foetidus
  • Foam Flower (Tiarella cordifolia)
  • Spiderwort (Tradescantia spp.)
  • Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta)
  • Mullein (Verbascum spp.)
  • Speedwell (Veronica spp.)

Perennials Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Groundcovers Seldom Damaged by Deer

  • Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
  • Lilyturf  (Liriope spp.)
  • Large Periwinkle (Vinca major)

Groundcovers Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally

Vines Seldom Damaged by Deer

  • American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)
  • Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda)

Vines Damaged: Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Bulbs Seldom Damaged by Deer

  • African Lily (Agapanthus spp.)
  • Camassia (Camassia leichtlini)
  • Canna Lily (Canna spp.)
  • Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta)
  • Dahlia (Dahlia spp.)
  • Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.)
  • Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba)
  • Hyacinth (Hyacinthus spp.)
  • Grape Hyacinth (Muscari spp.)
  • Calla Lily (Zantedeschia spp.)

Bulbs Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Annuals Seldom Damaged by Deer

  • Wax Begonia (Begonia semperflorens)
  • Cock's Comb (Celosia spp.)
  • Bachelor's Buttons (Centaurea cyanus)
  • Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
  • California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
  • Lantana (Lantana spp.)
  • Lobelia (Lobelia spp.)
  • Stock (Matthiola spp.)
  • Poppy (Papaver spp.)
  • Salvia (Salvia spp.)
  • Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
  • Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
  • Verbena (Verbena × hybrida)
  • Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)

Annuals Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Trees and Shrubs Seldom Damaged by Deer

  • Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)
  • Paperbark Maple (Acer griseurn)
  • Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
  • Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum)
  • Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
  • Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
  • Ruby Horsechestnut (Aesculus × carnea)
  • Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
  • Yellow Birch (Betula lutea)
  • European White Birch (Betula pendula)
  • Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.)
  • Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)
  • Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles spp.)
  • Japanese Falsecypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera)
  • Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra spp.)
  • Red Twigged Dogwood (Cornus alba)
  • Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa)
  • Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
  • Hazelnut (Corylus spp.)
  • Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria)
  • Cotoneaster (most) (Cotoneaster spp.)
  • Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
  • Deutzia (Deutzia spp.)
  • Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellatus)
  • European Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
  • Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)
  • Fothergillia (Fothergila spp.)
  • Ash (Fraxinus spp.)
  • Ginkgo (Ginkgo spp.)
  • Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
  • Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina)
  • Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
  • Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
  • Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
  • Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillate)
  • Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica)
  • Juniper (Juniperus spp.)
  • Japanese Kerria (Kerria japonica)
  • Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
  • Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis)
  • Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
  • Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
  • Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
  • Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginica)
  • Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia × soulangiana)
  • Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
  • Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
  • Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum)
  • Sweet Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius)
  • Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
  • White Spruce (Picea glauca)
  • Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika)
  • Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
  • Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora)
  • Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo)
  • Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra)
  • Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
  • Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
  • Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
  • Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
  • Buckthorn (Rhamnus spp.)
  • Corkscrew Willow (Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’)
  • Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
  • Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
  • Japanese Spirea (Spiraea japonica)
  • Bridalwreath Spirea (Spiraea prunifolia)
  • Anthony Waterer Spirea (Spiraea × bumalda)
  • Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
  • Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)
  • Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
  • Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
  • Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
  • Koreanspice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)
  • Cranberry Bush Viburnum (Viburnum opulus)
  • Doublefile Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum tomentosurn)
  • Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)
  • Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum)
  • Judd Viburnum (Viburnum × juddii)
  • Weigela (Weigela florida)

Trees and Shrubs Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Fruits and Vegetables Seldom Damaged by Deer

  • Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)
  • Currant (Ribes spp.)
  • Raspberry, Blackberry, Brambles (Rubus spp.)
  • Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Fruits and Vegetables Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Herbs Seldom Damaged by Deer

  • Dill (Anethumus graveolens)
  • Borage (Borage officinalis)
  • Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium)
  • Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
  • Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
  • Savory (Satureja montana)

Herbs Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly 


Plants Occasionally Severely Damaged by Deer

Perennials | Groundcovers | Vines | Bulbs | Annuals | Trees & Shrubs | Fruits & Vegetables 

Perennials Occasionally Damaged by Deer

  • Goat's Beard (Aruncus spp.)
  • Bellflower (Campanula spp.)
  • Mountain Bluet (Centaurea montana)
  • Pink Turtlehead (Chelone spp.)
  • Mum (Chrysanthemum spp.)
  • Meadowsweet (Filipendula spp.)
  • Perennial Geranium (Geranium spp.)
  • Geum, Avens (Geum spp.)
  • Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
  • Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)
  • Showy Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile)
  • Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum maximum)
  • Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
  • Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides)
  • Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum spp.)
  • Sundrops (Oenethera spp.)
  • Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
  • Phlox (Phlox spp.)
  • Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflora)
  • Buttercup (Rannunculus asiaticus)
  • Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
  • Trillium (Trillium spp.)
  • Globeflower (Trollius spp.)

Perennials Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Groundcovers Occasionally Damaged by Deer

  • Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Groundcovers Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally

Vines Occasionally Damaged by Deer

  • Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)
  • English Ivy (Hedera helix)
  • Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris)
  • Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Vines Damaged: Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently  

Bulbs Occasionally Damaged by Deer

  • Caladium (Caladium spp.)
  • Crocus (Crocus spp.)

Bulbs Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Annuals Occasionally Damaged by Deer

  • Coleus (Coleus spp.)
  • Cosmos (Cosmos spp.)
  • Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
  • Balsam, Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens balsamina)
  • Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
  • Morning Glory, Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomea spp.)
  • Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)
  • Petunia (Petunia spp.)
  • Pansy (Viola spp.)

Annuals Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Trees and Shrubs Occasionally Damaged by Deer

  • White Fir (Abies concolor)
  • Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri)
  • Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)
  • Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
  • Common Horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
  • Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
  • Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
  • Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtuse)
  • Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
  • White Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
  • Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
  • Corneliancherry Dogwood (Cornus mas)
  • Panicled Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)
  • Bloodtwig Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
  • Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alata)
  • Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
  • Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
  • Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
  • Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
  • Blue Holly (Ilex × meserveae)
  • European Larch (Larix decidua)
  • Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
  • Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium)
  • Purple Leaf Sand Cherry (Prunus × cistena)
  • Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
  • White Oak (Quercus alba)
  • Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus)
  • Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
  • Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
  • Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacia)
  • Willows (most) (Salix spp.)
  • Late Lilac (Syringa villosa)
  • Persian Lilac (Syringa × persica)
  • Basswood (Tilia americana)
  • Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata)
  • Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

Trees and Shrubs Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Fruits and Vegetables Occasionally Damaged by Deer

  • Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
  • Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
  • Squash (Cucurbita pepo)
  • Pear (Pyrus spp.)
  • Radish (Raphanus sativus)
  • Potatoes, Irish Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)

Fruits and Vegetables Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 


Plants Frequently Severely Damaged by Deer

Perennials | Vines | Bulbs | Annuals | Trees & Shrubs | Fruits & Vegetables 

Perennials Frequently Damaged by Deer

  • Hollyhock (Alcea spp.)
  • Sea-Holly (Eryngium spp.)
  • Hosta (Hosta spp.)
  • Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum spp.)

Perennials Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Vines Frequently Damaged by Deer

  • Clematis (Clematis spp.)

Vines Damaged: Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Bulbs Frequently Damaged by Deer

  • Lily (Lilium spp.)
  • Tulip (Tulipa spp.)

Bulbs Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Annuals Frequently Damaged by Deer

  • Sunflower (Helianthus spp.)
  • Stock (Matthiola incarna)

Annuals Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Trees and Shrubs Frequently Damaged by Deer

  • Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
  • Crabapples (Malus spp.)
  • Rhododendrons, Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.)
  • Rose (Rosa spp.)
  • Moutain Ash (Sorbus spp.)
  • Yew (Taxus spp.)
  • American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

Trees and Shrubs Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 

Fruits and Vegetables Frequently Damaged by Deer

  • Strawberry (Fragraria spp.)
  • Cherries, Plums (Prunus spp.)
  • Beets (Beta vulgaris)
  • Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes group )
  • Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)
  • Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
  • Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)
  • Turnip (Brassica rapa)
  • Carrot (Daucus carota sativa)
  • Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas)
  • Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
  • Apples (Malus spp.)
  • Beans (Phaseolus spp.)
  • Peas (Pisum sativum)
  • Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
  • Corn (Zea mays)

Fruits and Vegetables Damaged: Rarely | Seldomly | Occasionally | Frequently 


Sources: Rutgers University, Cornell University, Michigan State University

Authors: 

Aaron Steil Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist

Aaron Steil is the consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University where he works with county Extension offices across the state to answer home gardening questions for all Iowans.  This includes information related to trees, shrubs, vegetables, fruits, herbs, perennials, ...

Last Reviewed: 
July, 2022