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
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - May 13, 2009

From: Wilton, CT
Region: Northeast
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: What plants are the most deer resistant in Connecticut?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

Please advise me as to what plants are the most deer resistant and native to Wilton, CT. Most importantly, what evergreen shrubs and perennials will best survive?

ANSWER:

If the deer in Connecticut are like the deer in Texas, when they are hungry enough, they'll eat anything. With that caveat in mind, I've found several lists of "deer resistant" plants for Connecticut as well as information about deer defenses. With the prevalence of Lyme Disease, having a deer eat your garden is not the worse that can happen.

Cornell University ; a source of fact-sheets about controlling deer.

University of Connecticut;  Database Search for Deer-resistant Woody Plants

Rutgers University; plants rated for deer resistance by the New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station .

Twombly Nursery;   a source of deer resistant plants.

And finally, a strategy recommended by the Native Plant Society of Texas; camouflage gardening.

 

 

More Deer Resistant Questions

Deer-resistant native plants for Michigan
June 06, 2008 - I am looking for a deer-resistant ground cover for a mid-to-northern Michigan (lower peninsula), which can grow in completely sandy soil. Thanks for any advice.
view the full question and answer

Is straggler daisy deer resistant from Austin
October 08, 2012 - Is straggler daisy (horseherb) deer resistant? We have lots of deer in our NW Hills, Austin neighborhood, and a lot of shade where not much will grow. Is that plant a good candidate for ground cover...
view the full question and answer

Keeping deer away from non-native plants in Lansing MI
June 22, 2011 - What is the real - best way to keep deer from eating my Hostas, Garden phlox and lilies? Ive tried the stinky spray and the fertilizer granules that deter, to no avail.
view the full question and answer

Deer resistant, Shaded Privacy Hedge for Wakefield RI
September 12, 2013 - We recently removed the dead undergrowth of white pines that were used for privacy. We need advice as to what type of evergreen would be suitable for growth beneath the branches above. It is VERY shad...
view the full question and answer

Deer-resistant evergreens for southern CT.
October 05, 2009 - We live on a deer path in southern Connecticut. What native evergreen tree can we plant which will not be eaten to death by the deer?
view the full question and answer

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