F-6427
Ornamental and Garden Plants:
Controlling Deer Damage
Ron Masters
Extension Wildlife Specialist
Paul Mitchell
Professor
Steve Dobbs
Extension Consumer Horticulturist
Oklahoma’s white-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus) population has increased from 40,000 to
more than 250,000 since the 1960s. As the deer
population expanded, deer moved into peripheral sub-
urban areas. Increasingly, homeowners at the rural/
urban interface must deal with damage to ornamental
and garden plants. Land use patterns often change in
areas adjacent to rural subdivisions or where a number
of homes are being built. Land taken out of agricultural
production will generally become good deer habitat in
several years if it isn’t already. As deer begin moving
into an area, homeowners initially enjoy seeing them
and may actually encourage deer to come into their yard
by feeding them. Rural subdivisions may ban hunting
or place restrictions on firearm use to protect their deer
or for safety reasons. Homeowner attitudes begin
changing after deer numbers increase to the extent that
shrubbery shows heavy browsing and gardens become
difficult to grow because of continued depredation. In
addition to browsing, damage may occur in the fall when
bucks begin rubbing antlers on small trees or young
nursery stock.
Commonly Used Control Methods
The problem of damage control is not an easy one
to solve. Trapping and moving excess deer is often
suggested by homeowners as a humane alternative to
hunting with guns or even limited hunting with archery
tackle. However, at $200 to $500 per animal, the cost
to move enough deer to lower damage to tolerable
levels is definitely prohibitive. It should be recognized
that most areas of Oklahoma are well populated with
deer. Any deer moved to another area will only shorten
food supplies for both resident and transplanted ani-
mals. Nature will then control the excess through
starvation or decreased reproductive success because
of chronic malnutrition. At best, trapping and relocating
problem deer is only a short term solution.
Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets
are also available on our website at:
http://www.osuextra.com
Deer damage control methods fit into six catego-
ries:
1) exclusion—by electric fence or eight-foot high, deer-
proof fence (Figures 1 and 2),
2) scare or frightening tactics—with tethered dogs,
gas exploders, fireworks or discharging firearms,
3) habitat modification,
4) population reduction through sport hunting,
5) repellents—area repellents repel by smell and con-
tact repellents repel by taste, and
6) alternative plantings.
Control methods other than an eight-foot high,
deer-proof fence or an electric fence (e.g., Figures 1
and 2) reduce damage by 50 to 75 percent at best, and
often much less. A deer-proof fence does not fit well
with most landscaping plans and can be expensive if
large areas are to be protected. For small gardens, a
deer-proof fence can be cost effective. They are easily
constructed using standard hog wire fence and 12-foot
posts. Electric fences are less expensive and can be
just as effective; however, they do require greater
maintenance. For best results they should be con-
structed before serious damage occurs and electrified
at all times. Researchers have had some success with
a three-wire electric fence (“New Hampshire” spacing)
when baited aluminum foil strips are attached at 5- to
• Oklahoma State University
 Figure 1. The “Penn State” five-wire electric deer fence. Figure 2. A “New Hampshire” three-
wire electric deer fence.

10-foot intervals. The ends of the strips are smeared sport hunting is the most cost effective, long-term
with peanut butter for “bait.” Deer may learn to jump solution and should be seriously considered if damage
electric fences if incorrectly installed or maintenance is is wide spread.
lacking. Repellents which provide an unpleasant taste or
Scare tactics work for only short periods of time, but odor can be used, but damage will not be entirely
may be useful by providing enough protection to allow eliminated. Effectiveness will vary with deer density,
the crop to be harvested. Habitat modification is expen- season, and availability of alternate foods. To be
sive and may actually attract deer if misapplied. A effective, repellents must be applied before deer begin
professional wildlife biologist should be consulted if this actively browsing in the affected area. Area repellents
is the desired course of action. Population reduction by are generally less effective than contact repellents.
Table 1 summarizes recent research results on the
Table 1. Comparison of damage reduction with relative effectiveness of area and contact repellents
commonly used area or contact repellents.a from several sources. Bear in mind that repellents will
not completely eliminate damage and that a given
Class of Percent Reduction method’s effectiveness will change seasonally, based
Repellents of Damage on what natural foods are available to deer. Many
repellents do not weather well and will need to be
Area reapplied after a rain.
Magic Circle (bone tar oil) 15-34
Hinder (ammonia soaps of Using Deer Feeding Behavior
higher fatty acids) 43 Deer forage or feed selectively on different plants or
human hair 15-34 plant parts. Feeding habits change with the seasonal
bar soap 38 availability of plants. Deer choose different plants and
blood meal NEb plant parts based on nutritional needs, palatability, and
cat/dog feces NEb past experience. Deer demonstrate preference for new
moth balls NEb plantings and fertilized and cultivated domestic variet-
putrefied meat scraps NEb ies. In Oklahoma, damage to ornamentals may occur
Contact at any time of the year. However, most complaints
Big Game Repellent (BGR) occur in late spring, in August during dry years, and after
(putrescent egg solids) 30-46 the first cold spell in fall. Damage may occur on plants
Ro-pel (Benzyldiethyl that deer are not prone to use under circumstances of
ammonium saccharide) <15 high population density or low food availability. Deer
Hot Sauce 15-34 also may exhibit some regionalized taste preferences.
Thiram based (e.g., Chaperone, Like humans, deer consume a wide variety of plants
Spotrete-F) 43-78 to meet their nutritional requirements. Dietary and
browse research in Oklahoma have documented more
a
Use of a trade name does not imply an endorsement, than 100 different species of plants comprising a deer’s
other products with the same active ingredients will diet in a given locale. However, deer do tend to avoid
generally have similar results. certain plants and this knowledge can be used to
b
NE—generally considered not effective.

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determine which plants to use for landscaping and Garden Plants—Occassionally Damaged
gardening. The following list details many plants used
in landscaping and in gardening by relative deer use. Common name Botanical name
From this list, you should be able to choose plants that Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
will lower chances of damage occurring, or at least Okra Abelmoschus esculentus
identify plants that may require some type of protection Potatoes, Irish Solanum tuberosum
if they are to be grown successfully. Radish Raphanus sativus
Judicious selection of plants in combination with Squash Cucurbita pepo
various control methods should provide the rural or
suburban homeowner with some realistic means of
damage reduction. Remember to begin control mea- Garden Plants—Rarely Damaged
sures before significant damage occurs. Garden plants
that suffer rare or occasional damage when mature may Common name Botanical name
suffer frequent damage at transplanting time (e.g., pep- Canteloupe Cucumis melo cantalupensis
pers, corn, okra, squash). The same may be true with Cucumber Cucumis sativus
garden plants that are planted early in season and again Eggplant Solanum melongena
in fall. Hot peppers Capsicum annuum
In areas with severe problems, select only orna- Onion Allium spp.
mental plants that are less frequently browsed by deer. Sweet peppers Capsicum frutescens
Even if a combination of plants prone to browsing and Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum
those less prone to browsing are used, damage may still Watermelon Citrulus lanatus
occur because deer are selective feeders. Realize that
new plantings of less preferred plants may sustain
damage in an area where extensive damage has previ- Herbaceous Plants—Annual Flowers
ously occurred, and that younger plants frequently sus- Rarely Damaged
tain damage because they are more palatable.
For additional information on any of the above Common name Botanical name
control measures contact your local county office of the Ageratum Ageratum houstonianum
Cooperative Extension Service. Amaranth Amaranthus tricolor
Castor bean Ricinus communis
Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
Garden Plants—Severely Damaged Chinese forget-me-not Cynoglossum amabile
Cuplower Nierembergia hippomanica
Common name Botanical name Dusty Miller Senecio cineraria
Beans Phaseolus spp. Globe amaranth Gomphrena globosa
Broccoli Brassica oleracea italica French marigold Tagetes patula
Cabbage Brassica oleracea capitata Lantana Lantana spp.
Carrot Daucus carota sativa Ornamental pepper Capsicum annuum
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea botrytis Periwinkle Catharanthus roseus
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea Polygonum Polygonum capitatum
Lettuce Lactuca sativa Salvia Salvia viridis
Peas Pisum sativum Sanvitalia Sanvitalia procumbens
Spinach Spinacia oleracea Signet marigold Tagetes tenuifolia
Turnip Brassica rapa Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
Snow-on-the-mountain Euphorbia marginata
Spider flower Cleome hasslerana
Garden Plants—Frequently Damaged Stock Matthiola incana
Sweet alyssum Lobularia maritima
Common name Botanical name
Wax begonia Begonia semperflorens
Beets Beta vulgaris Zinnia Zinnia angustifolia
Corn, sweet Zea mays Zinnia Zinnia elegans
Potatoes, sweet Ipomoea batatas
Strawberries Fragaria spp.

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 Colorado Blue Spruce Picea pungens glauca
Herbaceous Plants—Perennial Flowers Common Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
Rarely Damaged Loblolly Pine Pinus taeda
Common name Botanical name Shortleaf Pine Pinus echinata
Paper Birch Betula papyrifera
Allium Allium spp. Russian Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia
Amsonia Amsonia tabernaemontana
Baby’s-breath Gypsophila paniculata
Bleeding-heart Dicentra eximia
Woody Plants—Seldom Damaged
Bleeding-heart Dicentra spectabilis
Butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa
Common name Botanical name
Chrysanthemum Dendranthema spp.
Columbine Aquilegia spp. American Bittersweet Celastrus scandens
Coralbells Heuchera sanguinea Beautybush Kolkwitzia amabilis
Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata Chinese Junipers
Coreopsis Coreopsis verticilla (green) Juniperus chinensis
Flax Linum perenne ‘Pfitzerana’
Foxglove Digitalis grandiflora Chinese Junipers
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea (blue) Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetzi’
Gas Plant Dictamnus albus Common Sassafras Sassafras albidum
Gay-feather Liatris spicata Common Lilac Syringa vulgaris
Globe thistle Echinops exaltatus Corkscrew Willow Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’
Golden marguerite Anthemis tinctoria Dogwoods
Grasses many genera and species Red Osier Dogwood Cornus sericea
Iris Iris spp. Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida
Lamb’s ears Stachys byzantia Chinese Kousa
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia Dogwood Cornus kousa
Lavender cotton Santolina chamaecyparissus Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana
Lily-of-the-valley Convallaria majalis ‘Canaertii’
Lupine Lupinus polyphyllus English Hawthorn Crataegus laevigata
Narcissus Narcissus spp. European White Birch Betula pendula
Oriental poppy Papaver orientale Forsythia Forsythia spp.
Rose campion Lychnis coronaria Hollies
Sage Salvia farinacea Chinese Holly Ilex cornuta
Sage Salvia officinalis Inkberry Ilex galbra
Sage Salvia sclarea Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos
Sage Salvia splendens Japanese Flowering
Speedwell Veronica spp. Cherry Prunus serrulata
Wormwood Artemisia species Japanese Wisteria Wisteria floribunda
Yarrow Norway Spruce Picea abies
‘Coronation Gold’ Achillea filipendulina ‘C.G.’ Pines
Austrian Pine Pinus nigra
Mugo Pine Pinus mugo
Herbaceous Plants—Perennial Flowers Red Pine Pinus resinosa
Frequently Damaged Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris

Common name Botanical name

Woody Plants—Occasionally Damaged
Tulip Tulipa spp.
Common name Botanical name
Woody Plants—Rarely Damaged Basswood
American Basswood Tilia americana
Common name Botanical name Greenspire Linden Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’
Border Forsythia Forsythis x intermedia
American Holly Ilex opaca ‘Lynwood’
Barberry Berberis spp. Common Witchhazel Hamamelis virginiana
Common Barberry Berberis vulgaris Cotoneaster Cotoneaster spp.

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 Cranberry Oaks Quercus spp.
Cotoneaster Cotoneaster apiculatus Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra
Rockspray White Oak Quercus alba
Cotoneaster Cotoneaster horizontalis Spiraea
Dawn Redwood Metasequoia Anthony Waterer
glyptostroboides Spiraea Spiraea x bumalda ‘Anthony
Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus Waterer’
Firethorn Pyracantha coccinea Bridalwreath Spiraea Spiraea prunifolia
Goldflame Honeysuckle Lonicera x heckrottii Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina
Hollies Sweet Cherry Prunus avium
Japanese Holly Ilex crenata Sweet Mock Orange Philadelphus coronarius
China Boy Holly Ilex x meserveae ‘China Boy’ Trumpet Creeper Campsis radicans
China Girl Holly Ilex x meserveae ‘China Girl’ Viburnums
Hydrangeas Judd Viburnum Viburnum x juddi
Smooth Hydrangea Hydrangea aborescens Leather leaf
Climbing Hydrangea Hydrangea anomala Vibrunum Viburnum rhytidophyllum
petiolaris Doublefile Viburnum Viburnum plicatum
Paniculated tomentosum
Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata Koreanspice
Japanese Cedar Cryptomeria japonica Viburnum Viburnum carlesii
Japanese Flowering Virginia Creeper Parthencocissus quinquifolia
Quince Chaenomeles japonica Weigela Weigela florida
Lilacs White Fir Abies concolor
Japanese Tree Lilac Syringa x reticulata Willows Salix spp.
Late Lilac Syringa villosa
Persian Lilac Syringa x persica
Maples Woody Plants—Frequently Damaged
Paperbark Maple Acer griseum
Red Maple Acer rubrum Common name Botanical name
Silver Maple Acer saccharinum
Apples Malus spp.
Sugar Maple Acer saccharum
American Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis
Panicled Dogwood Cornus racemosa
Cherries Prunus spp.
Pears Pyrus spp.
Clematis Clematis spp.
Bradford Pear Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’
Cornelian Dogwood Cornus mas
Common Pear Pyrus communis
Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis
Privet Ligustrum spp.
English Ivy Hedera helix
Rhododendrons
Hybrid Tea Rose Rosa x hybrida
Deciduous Azaleas Rhododendron spp.
Norway Maple Acer platanoides
Carolina
Peaches Prunus persica
Rhododendron Rhododendron carolinianum
Plums Prunus spp.
Rosebay
Rhododendrons Rhododendron spp.
Rhododendron Rhododendron maximum
Catawba
Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus
Rhododendron Rhododendron catawbiense
Roses Rosa spp.
Evergreen Azaleas Rhododendron spp.
Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora
Winged Euonymus Euonymus alatus
Rugosa Rose Rosa rugosa
Wintercreeper Euonymus fortunei radicans
Saucer Magnolia Magnolia x soulangiana
Yews Taxus spp.
Serviceberries
English Yew Taxus baccata
Downy Serviceberry Amelanchier arborea
Western Yew Taxus brevifolia
Allegheny
Japanese Yew Taxus cuspidata
Serviceberry Amelanchier laevis
English/Japanese
Smokebush Cotinus coggygria
Hybrid Yew Taxus x media

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Acknowledgements search from Penn State University, Connecticut Agri-
cultural Experiment Station, and personal observations
This fact sheet relied extensively on materials from
and experiences of the authors in dealing with damage
Cornell Cooperative Extension, Wildlife Damage Man-
complaints in Oklahoma. Mike Shaw, Research Super-
agement Program, Kentucky Cooperative Extension
visor, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation,
Service, Horticulture Magazine, February 1991, re-
provided numerous comments and suggestions.

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6427-8