[Deer-Resistant](/problems/deer-resistant-perennials/) Plants for New Jersey
New Jersey has among the highest deer population densities in the eastern US. Per Rutgers NJAES, the state's combination of suburban habitat fragmentation, hunting restrictions in developed areas, and abundant food from residential plantings has created a white-tailed deer population that exerts.
—- title: "Deer-Resistant Plants for New Jersey" slug: nj-deer-resistant-plants hub: care category: "Regional" description: "Deer-resistant plants for New Jersey gardens, using Rutgers NJAES field research ratings. Practical plant list for zones 5-7 across NJ." date: 2026-06-10 updated: 2026-06-10 author: "Thomas A." reading_time: 8 —-
New Jersey has among the highest deer population densities in the eastern US. Per Rutgers NJAES, the state's combination of suburban habitat fragmentation, hunting restrictions in developed areas, and abundant food from residential plantings has created a white-tailed deer population that exerts intense pressure on garden plants throughout the state.
Rutgers NJAES publishes the most authoritative deer-resistance ratings for plants in the northeast US, based on systematic field evaluations rather than anecdotal reports. New Jersey gardeners are fortunate to have this resource produced by their state university.
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Rutgers NJAES Rating System
Per Rutgers NJAES:
- A: Rarely Damaged — Seldom or never eaten
- B: Seldom Severely Damaged — Occasional minor browsing
- C: Occasionally Severely Damaged — Significant browsing in high-pressure conditions
- D: Frequently Severely Damaged — Routinely eaten; not suitable for open planting in NJ
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Category A: Rarely Damaged
Perennials
- Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) — aromatic foliage
- Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop)
- Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove) — toxic
- Euphorbia spp. (Spurge) — toxic, irritating sap
- Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)
- Nepeta spp. (Catmint) — aromatic
- Narcissus spp. (Daffodil) — toxic alkaloids
Per Rutgers NJAES, the most reliable deer-proof perennials in New Jersey share one trait: either they are toxic, strongly aromatic, or have some physical deterrent. Yarrow, catmint, lavender, and daffodil have a long track record of minimal browse in NJ landscapes.
Shrubs
- Buxus spp. (Boxwood) — toxic, bitter taste
- Taxus spp. (Yew) — toxic alkaloids
- Ilex opaca (American Holly)
- Ilex glabra (Inkberry Holly)
- Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel) — toxic
- Leucothoe fontanesiana (Drooping Leucothoe)
- Pieris japonica (Japanese Andromeda) — toxic
Per Rutgers NJAES, most ericaceous shrubs (kalmia, leucothoe, pieris) are rarely damaged because they contain grayanotoxins. Hollies are reliably avoided, making them the best choice for deer-country screening and foundation planting in NJ.
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Category B: Seldom Severely Damaged
Perennials
- Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower)
- Rudbeckia spp. (Black-Eyed Susan)
- Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo)
- Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
- Liriope muscari (Lilyturf)
- Hemerocallis spp. (Daylily) — less browsed than hosta; some loss in high pressure
Shrubs
- Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet)
- Viburnum dentatum (Arrowwood Viburnum)
- Ilex verticillata (Winterberry Holly)
- Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)
- Myrica pensylvanica (Northern Bayberry)
Per Rutgers NJAES, the native shrubs in Category B represent the best options for deer-area landscaping in New Jersey — combining ecological value with reasonable deer resistance.
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Category D: Frequently Severely Damaged — Avoid in Deer Country
Per Rutgers NJAES, these plants are routinely eaten in New Jersey and should not be planted in open areas:
| Plant | Comment |
|---|---|
| Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae) | Most heavily browsed plant in the northeast per Rutgers |
| Tulipa (Tulip) | Eaten to the ground, usually before bloom |
| Hosta spp. | Readily eaten; need physical protection |
| Rosa (Non-native roses) | Heavily browsed |
| Rhododendron spp. | Browsed heavily in winter |
| Impatiens walleriana (Impatiens) | Readily eaten |
| Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) | Frequently browsed |
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Deer-Proofing Strategies
Per Rutgers NJAES:
Physical exclusion: The most reliable method. An 8-foot fence excludes deer completely. Per Rutgers, 6-foot fences work for most deer pressures but will not stop motivated deer in jump. Polypropylene mesh fencing at 8 feet is cost-effective for large areas.
Repellents: Per Rutgers NJAES, contact repellents (Plantskydd deer repellent, Deer Out, Tree Guard) applied to foliage reduce browsing but must be reapplied every 2–4 weeks and after rain. Effectiveness varies with deer density — at very high populations, even repellents become less effective as hungry deer override aversion.
Planting design: Per Rutgers NJAES, plant preferred species (hostas, rhododendrons) close to the house where deer are less comfortable, and use deer-resistant species at the perimeter and in open areas where deer are present regularly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best deer-resistant flowering perennial for full sun in New Jersey? Per Rutgers NJAES, catmint (Nepeta × faassenii 'Walker's Low') is the single most consistently recommended deer-resistant flowering perennial for full-sun conditions in New Jersey — rated A, blooms from May through frost with deadheading, and is visually attractive.
Are ornamental grasses deer-resistant in New Jersey? Per Rutgers NJAES, most ornamental grasses are in Category B (seldom severely damaged). Switchgrass, feather reed grass, and little bluestem are generally not preferred browse. However, grasses can be browsed when other food is very scarce.
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Recommended gear: Best deer repellent: Liquid Fence vs Bobbex vs Plantskydd — our buyer's guide covering picks for every budget, ranked by Extension publication consensus and personal use.
Sources
- Rutgers NJAES — Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance
- Rutgers NJAES — Deer Management in New Jersey