#deer resistant

Plant of the Day

Wednesday 7 January 2026

Ideal for the front of borders, or under deciduous trees, Helleborus × hybridus 'Pretty Ellen Red' (hellebore, Lenten rose) will flower from autumn to early spring. This semi-evergreen perennial thrives in humus-rich, well-drained soil and is low maintenance, drought-tolerant once established, and disliked by deer.

As a Professional Landscape Designer in Malvern, PA, I always prioritize deer resistance at the top of my list when creating a custom landscape design. It feels as if each year this list shrinks. Very few of the properties we design and maintain are not impacted by deer populations at some level. They can cause damage by deer browsing or by antler rubbing, and our Plant Health Care division offers specialized deer repellent measures to protect your landscape from deer damage. We find that combining deer deterrents with deer-resistant plants results in decreased plant damage. Here is a list of my favorite ways to add color to a property with deer tolerant plants.

Early Spring Blooming Perennials and Bulbs

Hellebores (Helleborus spp.): Evergreen foliage with early blooms

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica): Vibrant blue flowers in early spring

Daffodils (Narcissus spp.): Classic Spring bulbs

Late Spring Blooming Perennials

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis): Beautiful, drooping flowers

Allium (Allium spp.): Ornamental onions with late spring blooms

Astilbe (Astilbe spp.): Feathery flowers, prefers moist soil

Columbine (Aquilegia spp.): Unusual, spurred flowers

Catmint (Nepeta): A pollinator’s favorite, prolific purple flowers

Peony (Paeonia lactiflora): Large fragrant blooms

Summer Blooming Perennials

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Aromatic and drought-tolerant

Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum): Tall native perennial with mauve flowers

Russian Sage (Salvia yangii -formerly Perovskia atriplicifolia): Low maintenance with a long summer bloom season

Fall Blooming Perennials

Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.): Bright fall clusters

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Sedum spectabile): Succulent-like leaves with late blooms

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Bright yellow plumes

Deer-Resistant Shrubs

Boxwood (Buxus spp.): Evergreen hedge

Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra): Evergreen, Native

Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): Evergreen, white flowers in spring

Miss Kim Lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. patula ‘Miss Kim’): Spring Blooming, fragrant purple bloom

Miss Ruby Butterfly bush (Buddleia x ‘Miss Ruby’): Non-invasive Summer Blooms

Bluebeard (Caryopteris): Powdery blue Last summer flower

Trust Burkholder For Expert Landscape Design in Main Line Properties

Choosing deer-resistant plants is only one step toward a vibrant, thriving landscape. We combine expert plant selection (including adding deer resistant color in landscapes) with professional design, installation, and ongoing maintenance to ensure your property stays healthy, colorful, and protected throughout the seasons. Our design team understands the challenges that deer damage presents in the Main Line area and beyond, and we take a comprehensive approach, blending design creativity with proven prevention and landscape maintenance strategies, to give you a beautiful landscape that thrives. Let Burkholder help you create your ideal outdoor space that reflects your style that you can enjoy year after year.

Blog is originally published at: https://www.burkholderlandscape.com/adding-deer-resistant-color-to-landscapes/

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