12 Beautiful Plants That Evolved Nasty Defenses Against Pests

My taste in plants is not exactly traditional. Somewhere along the line, when my gardening priorities shifted toward sustainability, my passion for pretty things morphed into an appreciation for survivalists. I’m fascinated by the ways in which plants have evolved to withstand voracious herbivores and fluctuating climate extremes. The tougher a plant is, the more I like it.

Where I garden in southwestern Oregon, we have a pseudo-Mediterranean climate that is becoming more of a wild card, as well as hordes of desensitized deer and exploding populations of various tunneling critters. Every year these conditions seem to intensify in different and unpredictable ways. So when I call a lethal-looking or odorous plant nasty, it is the ultimate compliment. This plant has harnessed the awesome powers of nature to thrive defiantly against all odds. Gardeners can employ the nasty properties of such plants as effective defenses in our ongoing battle to create beautiful, beneficial, and enduring gardens.

Grazing animals prefer their meals without a side of spikes or spines, so a hearty helping of prickly plants will help to dissuade those hungry beasts from treating your borders like a buffet. Plant the following nasties with care, in a spot where you can enjoy their fierce beauty from a distance.

Name: Ziziphus jujuba ‘Li’

Zones: 6–9

Size: 15 to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; average to dry soil

Native range: China

Jujubes are uncommon fruit trees that are usually sought out only by food foresters and folks who are culturally in the know. However, they deserve much wider recognition for their outstanding toughness and ornamentality. They have glossy, dark green foliage and a slightly weeping