Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
6 ratings

Sunday - May 06, 2007

From: Colton, OR
Region: Northwest
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Deer-resistant native plants for Oregon
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I have 21 acres of timber property in Oregon. We are converting part of that property to residential and I would like to plant wild flowers. I want to make sure I only plants native to Oregon and wondered if you had any suggestions. Also, I would like some plants that are not likely to be eaten by deer as we have many deer in our area

ANSWER:

Please realize that few, if any, plants can be called deer-proof. If the deer are having trouble finding their preferred plants, they will often eat plants that normally they wouldn't find palatable. Oregon State University Extension Service has a list of Deer-resistant Ornamental Plants, but you should be aware that many on the list are not native.

That said, here are some recommended plants native to Clackamas County, Oregon that are deer-resistant.

Aconitum columbianum (Columbian monkshood)

Aquilegia formosa (western columbine)

Iris tenax (toughleaf iris)

Oxalis oregana (redwood-sorrel)

Delphinium glaucum (Sierra larkspur) and Delphinium nuttallianum (twolobe larkspur)

Lupinus polyphyllus (bigleaf lupine), Lupinus latifolius (broadleaf lupine) and Lupinus bicolor (miniature lupine)

Trillium ovatum (Pacific trillium)

Plants in the Family Lamiaceae (Mint Family) are generally avoided by deer. The following are members of that family that are native to Clackamas County:

Mentha arvensis (wild mint)

Stachys chamissonis (coastal hedgenettle)

Prunella vulgaris (common selfheal)

Scutellaria galericulata (marsh skullcap)

Monardella odoratissima (mountain monardella)

Here are a few other good candidates from the Family Asteraceae (Aster Family):

Senecio integerrimus (lambstongue ragwort) and Senecio triangularis (arrowleaf ragwort)

Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) and Solidago simplex (Mt. Albert goldenrod)

You could experiment with other species that you commonly see in your area in abundance. Chances are the deer either don't much care for them or they produce so many plants the deer can't decimate them.


Aconitum columbianum

Aquilegia formosa

Iris tenax

Oxalis oregana

Delphinium nuttallianum

Lupinus latifolius

Trillium ovatum

Mentha arvensis

Stachys chamissonis

 


Prunella vulgaris

Scutellaria galericulata

Monardella odoratissima

Senecio integerrimus

Solidago canadensis

 

 

More Deer Resistant Questions

Resourses that are being taken away - Tiffin OH
April 03, 2013 - What are resources that are being taken away from humans and organisms?
view the full question and answer

Native, deer-resistant flowering plants attractive to bees
February 03, 2008 - I am adding several beehives to our property this spring. I would also like to add more native, flowering, deer-resistant plants that bees love as well. Any recommendations? I live in SW Austin, qui...
view the full question and answer

Lupines for attracting deer in South Carolina
April 06, 2007 - I live in SC and was watching a TV show called "Making it Grow" and they did a segment on Lupine. The lady on the show said that the plant attracted whitetail deer and I was wondering if that was t...
view the full question and answer

Deer-resistant groundcover for New Braunfels, TX
September 24, 2011 - Could you recommend some deer resistant ground cover plants for the New Braunfels area? We have tried Ajuga and Katie's Ruellia and they have been eaten.
view the full question and answer

Recommendation for variety of St. Johnswort (Hypericum spp.)
April 14, 2008 - Hi. Can you please recommend a variety of St. Johnswort for my yard in the Texas Hill Country? The planting bed is on a southern side of the house, and is shielded from afternoon sun by a tree. The ar...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.