Fionuala Campion says in her article, Dazzling Deer-Resistant Perennials, “Though very graceful and delightful to behold in their native habitat, deer are a voracious force to reckon with in many Northern California gardens, particularly in summer and fall.” But these majestic creatures are not just an issue for gardeners on the west coast. There are populations of deer in all 50 states, and all are munching on the many different plants we’re growing across the country.
There are a vast array of deterrents that can offer various levels of success, but sometimes the best method to deter pests is growing plants they won’t bother with. While results can always vary, these four expert-selected plants for the Northeast are the closest you’ll get to deer-proof.
Zones: 4–8
Size: 8 to 12 inches tall and wide
Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist, well-drained soil
Native range: Europe
Yellow corydalis is a standout in the front half of the season. Beautifully and delicately dissected compound leaves create soft, airy mounds that are pale or grayish green. In spring, tubular yellow blooms float over the canopy of fine leaflets. While yellow corydalis is much more heat resistant than its eye-popping, blue-flowered cousins, its stems are similarly brittle and easily broken. In very hot summers or during drought it may die back, although it can flush new growth when cooler, moister conditions return. But with consistently moist soil and/ or cooler temperatures, it may not go dormant until fall. This is a short-lived perennial, but it can easily self-sow to give the appearance of longevity. You will like this one much more than marauding deer, who will pass it by without a second thought.
Zones: 5–9
Size: 8 to 12 inches tall and
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