Plants Deer Don't Prefer

Kiawah and Seabrook Island gardeners, take note!

As beautiful as nature and wildlife can be, it is certainly discouraging to have your newly planted landscape nibbled on - or worse, devoured - by deer. Deer damage has become increasingly troubling in our Kiawah and Seabrook Island communities where deer are eating landscape plants that had previously been of no interest to them.

The good news? There are trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials, and palms we've used in landscape designs on Kiawah and Seabrook Island that seem to remain off of the dinner menu for foraging deer. We've compiled the following list for your reference:

Magnolia

Deer Non-Preferred TREES

• Arborvitae
  
• Cassia
  
• Eastern Red Cedar
  
• Crape Myrtle
  
• Magnolia

• Red Maple
  
• Bald Cypress
  
• Oak
  
• River Birch
  
• Vitex

Bottlebrush

Deer Non-Preferred Shrubs

• Anise
• Yaupon holly
• Oleander
• Wax Myrtle
• Barberry
• Leucothoe
• Podocarpus
• Plum yew
• Nandina
• Viburnum odoratissimum

• Viburnum suspensum
• Yucca
• Pineapple Guava
• Tea Olive
• Bottlebrush
• Spirea
• Horned holly
• Abelia
• Elaeagnus
• Juniper

Farfugium

Deer Non-Preferred Perennials

• Flax Lily
• Lantana
• Society garlic

• Ginger lily
• African Iris
• Farfugium

Muhly grass (Sweetgrass)

Deer Non-Preffered Grasses

• Lomandra
• Muhly grass (Sweetgrass)
• Pampas

• Spartina patens
• Maiden
• Fountain

European Fan Palm

Deer Non-Preffered Palms

• Sabal
• Sabal minor
• Sago
• Windmill
• European Fan

• Chinese Fan
• Needle
• Lady
• Pindo
• Mexican Fan

If you are looking to deter deer in an established landscape or would like to expand your planting palette, we offer an all-natural, liquid deer repellant at our Garden Center in both ready to use and concentrated forms. Deer Stopper™ is safe to use around edibles and in areas frequented by children and pets. Applications last approximately 30 days and are not washed off after heavy rainfall.

For advice on choosing deer non-preferred plants, creating attractive landscapes that deer avoid, or protecting your existing plants from grazing deer, visit our Garden Center to speak with one of our Nursery Professionals. We are here to assist!