Deer browsing presents a rapidly increasing challenge for city dwellers, suburbanites, and country folk alike. As the deer population grows and spreads, people who never dreamed they'd see one in their backyard are waking up to find their landscapes and gardens obliterated nearly overnight. While this presents a great opportunity for the ornamental horticulture industry, it also presents a challenge for the homeowners: which plants to pick to avoid it happening again?

The list was compiled with input from nursery and landscape professionals, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension personnel, and Rutgers Master Gardeners in northern New Jersey.

Realizing that no plant is entirely deer proof, plants in this program would be best for landscapes prone to deer damage. Success of any of these plants in the landscape will depend on local deer populations and weather conditions.

The Proven Winners^® ColorChoice^® Deer Proof^™ program adds an insignia to containers and tags of the species least likely to be damaged by deer. This placement makes these plants a clear choice for long-lasting landscaping that provides beauty and peace of mind.

Check out these tough and deer-resistant cultivars below: