There are few plants that are 100% animal resistant! The term resistant means less likely!

In general, deer and rabbits avoid plants with a sticky, rough, or fuzzy texture and plants with spiny protection like cacti and American Holly. They also turn up their noses at plants with fragrant leaves.

Annuals

Ageratum, Alyssum, Calendula, Cleome, Cornflower, Cosmos, Dahlia, Dianthus, Dusty Miller, Four O’Clock, Geranium, Grape Hyacinth, Impatiens, Lobelia, Marigold, Morning Glory, Nicotiana, Salvia, Snapdragon, Sweet Pea, Verbena, Zinnia

Perennials

Anemone, Aster, Balloon Flower, Barrenwort, Bee Balm (Monarda), Bellflower, Bergenia, Black-Eyed Susan, Blanket Flower, Bleeding Heart, Bugbane, Butterfly Weed, Catmint, Chrysanthemum, Columbine, Dianthus, Foxglove, Hollyhock, Iris, Lambs Ear, Lamium, Lupine, Maltese Cross, Monkshood, Ostrich Fern, Peony, Poppy, Purple Coneflower, Salvia, Sedum, Shasta Daisy, Snow on the Mountain, Tiger Lily, Yarrow, Yucca

Grasses

Hair Grass, Big Bluestem, Blue Grama Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Oat Grass, Sweet Grass, June Grass, Moor Grass, Little Bluestem, Common Blue-Eyed Grass

Shrubs

Barberry, Cotoneaster, Forsythia, Honeysuckle, Juniper, Lilac, Mockorange, Nannyberry Viburnum, Potentilla, Smoke Bush, Snowberry, Spirea, Spruce

Trees

Alder, Ash, Birch, Blue Beech, Catalpa, Chestnut, Gingko, Hazel, Hemlock, Honeylocust, Larch, Magnolia, Mountain Ash, Oak, Pines- Austrian and Scotch, Purple Robe Locust, Redbud, Yellow Wood

Careful plant selection is an excellent way to reduce deer and rabbit problems in your garden. If however, these and other critters are still causing an unacceptable amount of damage in your garden, non-toxic repellents, physical barriers and more options might need to be considered.