Deer-resistant plants and garden design are the focus of a front yard renovation project completed 40 years ago in New Jersey. The transformation of the property from a simple lawn into a multi-level setting showcases how structure and plant selection work together to manage terrain and deter wildlife.
A Slope Becomes a Multi-Level Garden
When the property was first purchased, the front yard consisted of a large lawn with standard foundation shrubs. Over time, the owner removed the lawn and expanded the garden space. She eventually established a garden design and maintenance firm with her daughter, focusing on creating curb appeal.
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To manage a 56-foot-wide by 35-foot-deep property with a significant slope, the owner had a curving stone wall installed. This one-foot-tall barrier divides the yard into three distinct terraces. The change created “stages” that allow plants to show off better. Instead of filling every inch with flowers, the design incorporates contrasting stone that remains visible even during the growing season. Structural plants like boxwoods and Japanese maples are placed first to frame the layout, followed by the colorful perennials.
The owner describes her approach as “organized chaos.” She relies on tidy evergreens like ‘Wintergreen’ Korean boxwoods, Japanese plum yew, and deodar cedar to provide the framework. These are interspersed with standard forms of lantana and ‘Seiryu’ Japanese maple for height. Supporting plants, such as black-eyed Susans, ornamental grasses, and hydrangeas, fill in the gaps. Chartreuse-foliaged plants are frequently used to make other colors pop.
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Managing Deer Without Barriers
Despite the variety of plants, keeping deer away is an ongoing challenge. The owner has learned that nothing is foolproof, even with a local deer-control service that sprays a proprietary solution monthly. She follows up with her own spray bottle weekly to cover tender new growth. She has also relocated her most susceptible plants, like David Austin® roses, to a fenced-in backyard or protected windowboxes.
Through years of experimentation, she has identified plants that deer typically avoid. Boxwoods, many junipers, and cherry laurel are considered deer-proof. Bigleaf hydrangeas and Drift series roses have shown relative resistance. The following five plants are among her favorites for resisting foraging animals.
- Helenium (Helenium spp. and hybrids): These long-blooming perennials tolerate heavy soil well. They produce yellow, orange or red daisy-shaped flowers from summer to fall. They grow 2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9.
- Calamint (Calamintha nepeta): The white, frothy blooms of well-behaved ‘Montrose White’ calamint complement many plants. They bloom from May through frost and reach 12 to 24 inches tall and wide, hardy in zones 5 to 9.
- Allium (Allium spp. and hybrids): After the purple lollipop blooms of ‘Millenium’ allium fade, the dried seedheads still have garden interest. They grow 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, hardy in zones 4 to 8.
- Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia): These flowers are everblooming and rarely fall over. They produce spiky white, purple, pink or raspberry blooms from spring through fall. They grow 12 to 30 inches tall and 10 to 18 inches wide, hardy in zones 9 to 11.
- Salvia (Salvia spp. and hybrids): Hummingbirds adore the tubular flowers of salvia, especially the red varieties. They bloom with blue, purple, white, red or pink flowers in summer through fall. They grow 1 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide, hardy in zones 7 to 11.
