When considering plants in terms of their deer resistance, keep in mind that there are no plants— none—that are 100% deer-proof. In times of privation, deer will eat even poisonous plants, and fawns are notorious for nibbling almost anything. Seedlings and young shrubs and trees may need protection for a few seasons even though they are resistant when mature.
Deer generally won’t:
-Browse very low or very high (extend their necks much) or stand on their hind legs
-Eat aromatic plants, such as most herbs
-Eat plants with fuzzy or prickly foliage
Deer often will:
-Eat moist, leafy plants
-Nibble plants—especially new ones—just to test them out
-Eat the flowers on resistant plants just for their moisture
-Eat resistant plants when they are hungry
-Eat roses, tulips, pansies, petunias, agapanthus, photinia and rhaphiolepis
