Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Monday - April 20, 2009
From: Greenfield Center, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Deer resistant evergreen shrubs for Saratoga Springs, NY
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Deer resistant, evergreen shrubs for Saratoga Springs, NY.ANSWER:
Unfortunately, that leaves very few choices in New York, wanting both deer-resistant plants and evergreen. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to the use and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being grown. Since you are in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a, which has average annual minimum temperatures of -30 to -25, there is not much that can withstand that, with the exception of some conifers, all of which get way too big to be treated as a shrub. You do know, we're sure, that deer will eat just about anything when their natural forage has been eliminated or disturbed by urban development. They don't like spiky, thorny, aromatic foliage, but it doesn't seem likely than an agave would survive more than 20 minutes in January in New York. We're going to suggest that you contact Cornell University Extension Services, Saratoga County NY Gardening Resources for some possible ideas they have that we don't.
We have a Special Collections list of Deer Resistant Species. We searched it specifying New York and shrubs, and came up with six shrubs, of which only one is evergreen. There is also one we threw in because it's evergreen, a small shrub and attractive, but we can't find any information on its deer resistance: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick), which probably means it isn't.
Deer resistant shrubs in New York
Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo) - highly resistant, deciduous
Ceanothus herbaceus (Jersey tea) - highly resistant,deciduous
Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush) - moderately resistant, evergreen
Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac) - highly resistant, deciduous
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry) - moderately resistant, deciduous
Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree) - highly resistant, deciduous
More Deer Resistant Questions
Deer Resistant, Fast Growing Groundcover Suggestions for Georgia
April 20, 2013 - Our driveway is 1/4 mile in length and is steep on both sides (one side up one side down). It currently has grass that our contractor planted using seed when we built our house. We are unable to cut t...
view the full question and answer
Using Sound to Repel Deer
July 15, 2013 - We have several motion activated water scarecrows for deer intrusions and have heard about sound scarecrows. Do you know if they are effective and do they bother pets such as cats, birds, etc.?
view the full question and answer
Deer-resistant shrubs for Michigan
January 28, 2009 - I live in deer country. I'm looking for shrubs that are attractive to birds but not to deer. Our soil is sandy. I have a part sun, part-shade situation. I live in zone 6, two miles east of Lake Michi...
view the full question and answer
How to protect roses from deer browsing
July 04, 2012 - I would like to plant knock out roses but I am concerned the deer will eat them? Advice?
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant plants for Pittsburgh PA
January 30, 2012 - What shrubs can I plant on a wet slope that gets partial sun that will help control erosion? They need to be something the deer won't eat! We have lots of deer.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |