Deer are a big problem for those who live among them. While they may be cute and fun to watch, they can wreak havoc on a landscape. Deer resistant plants for Austin and Central Texas are what you have to look for. Otherwise, you’re planting a salad bar.
Start by using deer resistant plants that belong in Austin and the surrounding area. The best plants that are stinky, spikey or stabby.
Choose “Spikey” Plants
Texas Sotol, drought and deer resistant
The good news is that there are many deer resistant plants, the bad news is that even deer resistant plants can be nibbled on if the deer are hungry enough. It is recommended that you do not feed deer to discourage them from eating in your yard as it can have the reverse affect.
Agaves of all kinds are great for deer resistance.
Dwarf Burford Holly, 8x 8’
Yucca Rostrada 3 x 8’
Agarita, 4 x 4’
Choose Highly Scented Plants
Texas Lantana
There are a variety of beautiful lantana in an array of colors that do very well in the Texas landscape. They are also very low water, low-maintenance and deer resistant
White Mealy Sage
All salvia’s and sages are deer resistant, drought tolerant and low maintenance. Look for members of the mint family and you can’t go wrong. Remember Deers don’t like stinky stuff so if the leaves are pungently you, then it’s a good choice.
Pink Salvia Greggi
Mexican Mint Merigold
Walkers low Catmint
Echinacea purple coneflower
Diversify:
Look For A Selection Of Plants
The spikier the better. Plants that are unpleasant for you to touch are unpleasant for them to eat.
Greggs Mist, almost glows in the dark at dusk. deciduous, full to part sun
Gregg’s Blue Mistflower is a butterfly magnet but the deers aren’t so crazy about it. That makes this an excellent choice for any gardener.
Moonflower is a stunning dusk and night blooming flower that is fragrant and deer resistant.
Pink or paprika Yarrow are excellent plants for Central Texas, Evergreen colorful and medicinal. Plant in full to part sun.
Find Them in Nature
if you see them in the wild or by the side of the on road, commercial properties or in neighbors yards, you know those are good selections for deer resistant plants.
Mint, paddle cactus and bluebonnet.
Mint, seasonal bluebonnets and cactus of all kinds are deer resistant, though deer will eat cactus fruits. They like full to part sun.
Twistleaf Yucca
Native Milkweed
Don’t Be Afraid Of Color
Fireman’s Cap Coral Bean
Golden Showers Thryallis, semi-evergreen, full to part sun 4 x 3
Thryallis is a grossly underestimated plant in the Central Texas Landscape. It’s a profusion of yellow flowers all summer long and love the heat.
Wonderful Pomegranate, full to part sun, edible fruit 8 x 8
What can you say about growing your own fruit while enjoying spring flowers? While you might have to keep the squirrels at bay, the deer shouldn’t be a problem.
Yellow Bells Esperanza-beautiful and drought tolerant. deciduous, full sun. 8 x 6
This is one of those plants you never forget. Like a ray of sunshine, it blooms all summer long.
Pride of Barbados-super drought tolerant. Deciduous, full sun. 8 x 6
Right out of tropics, this butterfly attraction is a gift of flower and unusual leaves that stand out in any landscape.
Bearded Iris, Evergreen, full to part sun 2 x 2
Bearded Iris are one of my personal favorites for obvious reasons. Evergreen, low water and low maintenance.
Texas flowery Senna tree, semi evergreen, full to part sun 8 x 8
Evergreen Wysteria, Spectacular Bloom! Full sun.
Jerusalem Sage, 2.5 x 2.5
Confederate Jasmine (or Star) vine is Incredibly fragrant
While most of what I would say about this plant is a positive, it can be cold sensitive. So don’t plant this where you need privacy because you may be looking at your neighbors if you’re counting on this one sustaining a deep freeze.
Desert Willow Tree, deciduous, full sun. 20 x 20
This heat loving flower bomb has a “Willowee” structure with long narrow leaves and fragrant flowers. You can enjoy them but the deers won’t.
Pineapple Guava, Lg. evergreen shrub, full to part sun. 8 x 6
Mexican Bush Sage 4 x 5’
Mexican Honeysuckle Bush, 3 x 3’
Grass is a Great Way to Go
Mexican Feather Grass, evergreen, full to part sun. 2 x 2
Mexican feather grass and all grasses are deer resistant so look for varieties for your son conditions and you will be pleasantly surprised by the varieties you have to choose from.
Gulf Muhly, 3 x 3’
Lemon Grass, 2.5 x 3’
Textural Interest
Foxtail Fern, evergreen, shade to sun. 2 x 2
Ferns of all kinds are great deer resistant plants. Be sure you are choosing the right fern for your light requirements. Kimberly Queen, Wavy Cloak and Asparagus ferns are great for light and river, holly and wood ferns are great for shade and low light.
Kidneywood Tree, Deciduous, sun to part shade. Super fragrant when it blooms. 10 x 10
Compact Cherry laurel
Compact Cherry Laurel, 6 x 12”
Firecracker Fern, 2 x 2’
Powis Castle Artimesia
Leather Leaf Mahonia, both spikey and textural.
These are just some of the plants I love to use in problem areas to deter deer from inviting thier friends to your buffet. With many colors, textures and light requirements you can find an array of plants to choose from. Plant strategically and send those pesky deer over to the neighbors house for lunch.
Lisa LaPaso
Lisa’s Landscape & Design (“like” me on facebook!)
“Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time”