[Deer-Resistant](/problems/deer-resistant-perennials/) Plants for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has one of the largest white-tailed deer populations in the US and one of the most serious deer browse problems in northeastern horticulture. Per Penn State Extension, the white-tailed deer density in some suburban and rural Pennsylvania counties exceeds 50 deer per square mile -- a.
—- title: "Deer-Resistant Plants for Pennsylvania" slug: pa-deer-resistant-plants hub: care category: "Regional" description: "Deer-resistant plants for Pennsylvania gardens: rated species lists, protection strategies, and zone-appropriate selections from Penn State Extension." date: 2026-06-10 updated: 2026-06-10 author: "Thomas A." reading_time: 8 —-
Pennsylvania has one of the largest white-tailed deer populations in the US and one of the most serious deer browse problems in northeastern horticulture. Per Penn State Extension, the white-tailed deer density in some suburban and rural Pennsylvania counties exceeds 50 deer per square mile — a level at which even normally deer-resistant plants begin to show browse damage.
The problem is particularly acute in counties where development has reduced hunting access while increasing food sources (residential plantings, mast crops, agriculture). Centre, Chester, Montgomery, Lancaster, and York counties consistently report the highest deer-plant conflict levels.
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Most Reliable Deer-Resistant Plants for Pennsylvania
Per Penn State Extension, the following plants have demonstrated consistent resistance to deer browse in Pennsylvania field trials:
Bulbs
Narcissus (Daffodil) — Per Penn State, all narcissus species are reliably deer-resistant due to toxic alkaloids. Replace tulips with daffodils in open beds.
Ornamental Allium — Per Penn State, ornamental alliums (Allium hollandicum, A. 'Globemaster', A. aflatunense) are reliably avoided due to allicin compounds.
Camassia (Camas) — Per Penn State, native camassia bulbs are reliably deer-resistant and produce beautiful blue flower spikes in May.
Perennials
Per Penn State Extension, the most consistently deer-resistant perennials in Pennsylvania:
- Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii) — strongly aromatic, consistently avoided
- Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) — aromatic, rating: rarely damaged
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) — aromatic, toxic in large amounts
- Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) — seldom severely damaged
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) — seldom severely damaged
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) — rarely browsed; grasses are generally low-preference
- Blue wild indigo (Baptisia australis) — seldom severely damaged; toxic
- Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) — rarely damaged; toxic alkaloids
- Ferns — most fern species are rarely browsed; Christmas fern and cinnamon fern are good choices
Shrubs
Per Penn State Extension, the most deer-resistant shrubs for Pennsylvania:
- Boxwood (Buxus) — rarely damaged; toxic grayanotoxin-like compounds
- American holly (Ilex opaca) — rarely damaged; use instead of arborvitae for screens
- Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra) — rarely damaged
- Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) — rarely damaged; contains grayanotoxins
- Yew (Taxus spp.) — rarely damaged when established; toxic alkaloids
- Bayberry (Myrica pennsylvanica) — seldom severely damaged
- Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) — seldom severely damaged
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Plants Frequently Destroyed by Deer in Pennsylvania
Per Penn State Extension, do not plant these in unfenced areas in Pennsylvania:
| Plant | Comment |
|---|---|
| Arborvitae | Catastrophically browsed; stripped to bare stems |
| Hostas | Eaten completely; stems bitten off |
| Tulips | Eaten before bloom in most counties |
| Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) | Frequently browsed |
| Roses | Heavily browsed; especially new growth and canes |
| Rhododendron | Heavily browsed in winter |
| Impatiens | Consumed readily |
| Burning bush | Frequently browsed |
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Protection Methods
Fencing
Per Penn State Extension, an 8-foot woven wire fence is the most reliable exclusion method. Electric fence options include a single-strand baited (peanut butter or apple) fence or a two-fence system with an inner and outer line 3 feet apart. Per Penn State, deer will not jump two fences simultaneously.
Repellents
Per Penn State Extension, repellents containing putrescent egg solids (Plantskydd deer repellent) or capsaicin (Deer Out, Deer-Off) are the most effective commercial options. All must be reapplied every 2–4 weeks and after rain. They are most effective when applied before deer establish a browsing habit at a new location.
Repellent rotation: Per Penn State, deer adapt to a single repellent type over time. Rotating between different repellents (egg-based, then capsaicin-based, then botanical oils) maintains effectiveness longer than using one product continuously.
Individual Plant Protection
Per Penn State Extension, tree tubes and spiral plastic guards protect young woody plants until they are large enough to sustain browse damage. Wire cylinders (30-inch diameter, 4-foot tall) protect established perennial clumps.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is arborvitae truly the most deer-damaged plant in Pennsylvania? Per Penn State Extension, arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) consistently receives the most deer browse complaints in Pennsylvania — partially because it is one of the most widely planted evergreens. Deer strip the lower branches down to bare wood, effectively destroying the plant's appearance permanently. Per Penn State, American holly is a direct substitution for screening in deer country.
Do motion-activated sprinklers work in Pennsylvania? Per Penn State Extension, motion-activated water sprinklers (ScareCrow, Orbit) provide deterrence but require maintenance, a water supply, and deer learn to avoid activation times. They are most useful in small areas around specific high-value plantings rather than as perimeter exclusion devices.
What can I plant under a deer fence to extend the deer-resistance zone? Per Penn State Extension, deer can reach under a fence to browse plants within 18 inches of the fence line. Plant smaller deer-resistant perennials (catmint, daffodils, ferns) in this zone rather than preferred species that would be vulnerable.
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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
- Penn State Extension — Deer-Resistant Plants
- Penn State Extension — Deer Management
- Rutgers NJAES — Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance