Deer Repellent
Over the last decade we've seen the deer population explode. You can find them in small cities, suburbia and rural towns. While their population grows, their predators have diminished as well as their food supply. So they come looking for a suitable substitution and all too often it's your garden that they have found! Although we could find no definitive 
studies showing what deer will and won't eat, there is definitely a consensus out there from gardeners of what the best bets might be. There are a few things that we do know: Deer avoid plants with a strong fragrance, irritating textures, or plants that upset their stomachs. With that said, if a deer is hungry enough it will eat anything rather than starve. Below is our list of plants that deer tend to ignore. They are the ones we have noticed the deer never touch in our garden and other gardeners have told us the same. It is a good start and we hope you have the same results.
Deer Repellent Perennials
Achillea or Yarrow
Sun, Zone 3-8, EASY (to grow), Summer. The easiest of all perennials to grow, they are also most versatile. Their colorful umbels bloom over a long period, tolerate drought, and can be cut for fresh or dried bouquets. They are fragrant, attract birds, and repel deer. It's everything we want in a garden plant.
240. Flower Burst Red
A wonderful new blend of vibrant reds, pinks, and violet shades. Achillea is reliable, easy and long blooming; it will brighten most anyone's garden regardless of experience. Plants grow about 2 1/2ft. tall with 2-4 inch umbels and soft foliage.
Alchemilla or Lady's Mantle
Shade or Part Sun, Zones 4-7 EASY, Summer. This lovely plant produces sprays of chartreuse flowers that make excellent filler in bouquets. A nice foliage plant, you can't help but notice the way the fan shaped leaves collect the morning dewdrops.
250. Irish Silk
The vibrant spring green color of this plant will make the shady spots in your garden shine. This plant does well in either shade or sun forming neat 14" mounds of velvety leaves. The flower sprays rise up like a cloud over the foliage in June and July. The stems are stronger for cutting than other varieties.
Aquilegia or Columbine
Sun or Shade, Zone 3-8, EASY, Spring. Delicate and intricate in design, these exquisite springtime blooms dance high above their mounds of lacy foliage. They are an easy way to bring color to the shady parts of the garden and can bloom well into summer. While deer pass them by, the hummingbirds hover ready to perform their pollinating job.
319. Grandma's Garden - NEW
This is a lovely vintage variety with frilly nodding flowers. Each blossom has short curly spurs and colors include rose, violet, and wine red.
320. Legacy Columbine
We remember the people who share something beautiful with us. Flowers in our garden are often the source of that remembrance. A few years back an old college friend admired some beautiful and prolific columbine in a neighbor's garden. She gave him the seed and he began to grow it in his garden. In turn he passed it to us and now we grow it to share with you. The plum colored blossoms reach over 2 feet tall. Collect the seed and share it with your friends, too.
330. McKana Giant Mix
An ornate, long spurred, jewel of a flower in a festive mix of pink, blue, maroon, red, yellow, rose, and white with contrasting centers. The plants reach 30" tall.
340. Nora Barlow Mix
These traditional cottage garden columbines now come in a new mix of colors including rose, blue, white, and purple. The plants grow to 2 1/2 ft. bearing fully double spurless flowers with fine clover-like foliage.
Campanula
Sun or Part Shade, Zone 3-8, Late Spring/Early Summer, Summer. The versatility of this genus is astounding. The large and small dangling or sometimes upright bells come in shades of blue, pink, and pure white with foliage in a variety of habits. Each species provides something special to our garden. Campanula bloom in the heat of summer, add splashes of color for the rest of the season, and are often the mainstay of the English cottage garden.
350. Bellringers
Clusters of nodding bells in a range of shades from pale pink to a rich burgundy. They bloom profusely all season even in late October with flurries in the air. The pendulous bells have maroon spotted interiors. Grow to 2ft. tall.
360. Canterbury Bell Mix
A reseeding biennial with huge cup and saucer bells in blue, pink, or white. A little trickier to grow because they do not tolerate wet soil in the spring, but they are worth the effort so prepare your site well. They provide prodigious amounts of flowers for cutting.
370. Carpatica Dark Blue Clips
The "clip" series are marvelous and durable plants. Their upright 1 1/2" deep blue bells inundate the mounded 8" tall foliage. The Clips are also excellent to edge paths and driveways and bloom the first year.
380. Carpatica White Clips
Same as the blue clips but in pure white. The best part about Clips is they bloom all summer!
390. Glomerata
Dense clusters of spectacular violet blue flowers adorn the tips of the 15-18" tall stems. They bloom June through July spreading 1 1/2-- 2 ft. Very easy self sufficient plants, blooming the first year.
400. Persicifolia Blue
Large, starry, bell-shaped flowers on 2 1/2 ft. stems over neat and low growing foliage. Long lived and easy to grow, they also make an excellent cut flower.
410. Persicifolia White
Pure luminescent white star shaped bells on sturdy stems with the same tidy foliage as the above blue.
Centaurea Bachelor Buttons
Sun, Zone 3-8, EASY, Late Spring/Early summer. These frilly and flamboyant blue flowers of this perennial cornflower are effortless to grow and are known to repel deer. Sheer them back after the first flush of blooms and be rewarded with more blooms all season.
420. Montana
Growing 12" tall and wide with huge corn flower blue blooms. These perennial "bachelor buttons" like sun and good drainage.
Cerastium
Sun, Zones 3-7, Summer. Low trailing plants growing to a about 6-8 inches high. Their silver foliage and white blossoms can cover banks or grow neatly around the edge of your garden.
430. Silver Carpet
We saw a beautiful example of these plants at our neighbors home where the path to their house was lined on both sides by Cerastium with a backdrop of blue Lavender plants. Both enjoy sun and well drained soil.
Coreopsis
Sun, Zone 3-9, EASY, Late Spring/Early summer. These cheery, yellow daisy-like flowers bloom in profusion well above their neat mounds of foliage. So reliable, they are a favorite in our daughter Esperanza's garden.
450. Sunfire
A large flowered coreopsis with single petals and a dark center. Blooms early and in the first year while withstanding the heat of summer.
460. Early Sunrise
Early and long blooming, 18" high plants with 2" semi-double, bright yellow daisies. After the first flush they bloom lightly all summer.
Dianthus or Cottage Pinks
Dianthus or Cottage Pinks- Sun or Part Shade, Zone 3-9, Late Spring/Early summer; Amazing in their diversity, these old fashioned "Pinks" produce a wealth of flowers with a spicy fragrance.
470. Ideal
These traditional cottage pinks dapple the garden with just the right amount of color. Painted on delicate fringed petals, their vibrant mix of colors includes carmine, crimson, deep violet, pink, raspberry, rose, violet, cherry, and cherry and violet picotee. They bloom early and continuously all summer and withstand hot spells. These are very beautiful and carefree plants. Grow to about a foot high.
480. Sweet William
The best cut flower we've ever grown, lasting weeks. Enchanting and old-fashioned, we've had many people remembering this one from their grandmother's garden! A rich variety of color, these flowers are beautifully marked with pink and red, bicolored and white; appearing in clusters at the end of a 2' stem. They are especially beautiful in combination with Lupines!
490. Zing Rose
A profusion of small vibrant rose flowers growing just above a dense green mat. Spreading nicely, they are hardy, easy to grow, and long lived. Beautiful along walkways or in front of the border, they tolerate either shade or sun.
Digitalis or Foxglove
Sun or Shade, Zone 4-8, EASY, Late Spring/Early Summer. Dramatic and old-fashioned, these tall majestic plants are the heart and soul of cottage gardens.
500. Camelot
Huge tubular bells with speckled throats form lavender rose or cream colored spikes that bloom the first year.
510. Candy Mountain
The upward facing bells allow a clear view deep inside the speckled pink bells. The stems are extra sturdy and packed with florets that often bloom the first year.
520. Excelsior
This is the traditional Foxglove seen surrounding the thatched cottages of England. Four ft. tall with densely clustered bells in shades of pink with highly visible intricate interior bell markings.
530. Foxy
Shades of pink, purple, and white tubular flowers hang in abundance from these 2-3' tall Foxglove that will bloom reliably the first year.
550. Pam's Choice
Clusters of white bells reveal deep maroon throats that speckle at the edge. They grow 3-4 feet high.
560. Primrose Carousal
We are happy to grow again an old favorite. This moonlight yellow foxglove is a true perennial, lasting years and years in the garden. It's neat mound of foliage sends up stalks of clustered bells for the late spring garden.
Echinops
Zones 3-8, Sun, Summer. A cultivated and unique ornamental thistle, having masses of steel blue globular flowers. The blooms attract butterflies and are excellent cut flowers. They grow to 4 ft. tall with each flower on a long stem.
610. Blue Glow
An improved selection with a more intense strong blue color and more compact habit. Excellent color choice for mid to late summer.
Gaillardia
Zones 3-9, Sun, Easy, Summer/fall. The bright gold and burgundy flowers are excellent garden performers through the height of summer. These easy to grow perennials do just as their common name implies: blanket your garden with vibrant color.
620. Arizona Sun
Award winning, thanks to the abundant and huge flowers on a compact plant. Put this in the garden bed or patio pot for vibrant yellow and red all summer through fall. 12" tall.
630. Royal Monarch
An excellent border variety producing huge daisy like blossoms all summer reaching 30" high. Flower petals can be burgundy, clear yellow, or rosy red with golden tips and other striking bicolors.
Geum
Sun or Part shade, Zone 4-8, EASY, Summer. A charming small plant with rose like blossoms as they are in the rose family. Their foliage stays low in neat mounds. Flowering stems are sent up during June and July in our garden.
640. Lady Stratheden
Radiant double yellow rose shaped blooms flower freely in midsummer.
650. Mrs. Bradshaw
A traditional cottage garden plant with semi-double and double 2" glowing red flowers. They grow 1-1/2 ft tall in our garden.
Gypsophila
Sun, Zone 3-8, Summer. A cloud of tiny star white flowers bring a delicate balance of soft and bright to the garden or fresh bouquet. They bloom in July over a long period; stems can be picked in their prime and hung to dry for later use. "Once planted and known, no garden will be without this graceful elegant, and above all beautiful pure white flower. Try it and it will win your love forever." -Salzers garden catalog of 1890.
660. Snowflake
Some plants will produce double flowers, some single, but both are extraordinarily dainty and graceful. We've used this variety for years in our fresh and dried bouquets.
Helenium
Sun, Zone 3-8, EASY, Summer/fall. There are no better plants for late summer and fall color. Their vivid autumn coloring is just what we look for as the weather cools. Satisfying and easy to grow plants.
670. Autumn Red and Gold
The brilliant daisy- like blooms of yellow, red, and mahogany enjoy full sun. The plants get to be about 3 ft. tall.
Heuchera or Coral Bells
Sun or Shade, Zone 3-9, Late Spring-Summer. The favorite of hummingbirds, they will spend hours going from one tiny bell to the next. Beautiful plants that are simple to grow with attractive foliage appearing in tidy mounds. Bloom heavily in June and July, and keep sending a few flower stalks up most of the summer.
690. Firefly
Vibrant pink-red flowers 20" above evergreen foliage.
700. Palace Purple
Large ivy shaped leaves that are mahogany red above, And beet red below. Beautiful for their foliage as well as the sprays of white flowers 12" above.
710. Ruby Bell
Their deep red bells flower abundantly on well branched stems. They have a shorter habit than other coral bells making them excellent for the front of the garden and for edgings where you can also smell their sweet fragrance.
Lavender
Sun, Zone 5-7, Summer. Who can resist the beautiful perfume of lavender? Their small blue spikes reach high above the foliage. They can be picked and dried in bunches for a fragrant decoration. A well drained sunny location will make them thrive and keep the deer at bay.
730. Blue Scent
With the blooming habit of an annual this fragrant fast growing lavender will be a favorite addition to any sunny garden spot. Grows to 14" with deep purple flowers.
740. Hidcote
Midnight blue flowers reaching 1-11/2 ft. tall with a delightful fragrance.
750. Munstead
A spray of fragrant lilac flowers, 1 ft. high. Excellent for sachets.
Liatris
Sun, Zone 3-9, Summer. These beautiful feathery spikes make wonderful cut flowers and provide the garden with lots of color from midsummer to late in the season.
760. Floristan Violet
Stately plants with low growing blades of grassy foliage. Rose purple flower stalks rising 2 ft. above. Butterflies eagerly seek them.
Lychnis
Sun, Zone 4-9, Easy, Summer. These Victorian plants sparkle with magenta flowers and complimentary silvery leaves. Their easy carefree habit encompasses the essence of cottage gardening.
840. Coronaria
Rosettes of velvety silver leaves give way to the rising 2 ft. flower stalks that bear simple but vibrant magenta flowers.
Monarda
Shade or Sun, Zone 4-9, EASY, Summer. These mint family plants put out a spectacular display of flowers July through August and are absolutely irresistible to hummingbirds.
870. Panorama Mix
Shades of scarlet, red, pink, and salmon with highly fragrant foliage.
880. Red Shades
Selected for their vibrant red colors and resistance to powdery mildew.
Nepeta
Sun, Zone 3-8, EASY, Late Spring/Early summer. Not to be confused with catnip, this beautiful ornamental mint is long blooming, with blue flowers. Blooms appear June and July with a second flush in August spreading along the edges of the garden. It thrives in hot and dry conditions.
890. Blue Carpet
Deep violet blue flowers, arising 10" above low growing and small minty leaves that deer dislike. A favorite plant used by landscapers because of its dependability to grow in even harsh conditions.
Poppies
Sun, Zone 3-7, Spring through Late Spring/Early summer. Stunning in size and brilliance of color, poppies will provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Tuck in the back of the border as the foliage will temporarily disappear in summer.
900. Coral Reef
Large coral pink blossoms with shimmering mahogany centers. The 30" tall plants often flower the first year.
910. Great Red
Spectacular classic red Poppies that display 8 inch flowers with black centers and tissue paper petals. They stand 4 ft. tall.
920. Pizzicato
The best new semi dwarf variety and winner of the 1995 Fleuroselect Gold Medal. Flowers range from 6-8" across on sturdy 2 ft. stems that hold up even in windy conditions. Prolific with a color range that includes pale pink to rose, salmon, and scarlet; all with black centers.
930. Princess Victoria Louise
This is a beautiful and much sought after deep salmon color with large papery blooms. Grow to 3 ft tall.
Perovskia or Russian Sage
Sun, Zones 5-9. There is no tougher plant out there with the beauty to match. With scented leaves and airy blue flowers, the provide a long season of bloom in the hottest time of the summer.
960. Russian Sage
Plant as a group or border in the hot spots of your flower patch and keep the garden color coming. The light blue spikes work well with all the colors of your garden. They grow to about 3 feet and a spread of 2 feet. They are drought tolerant and deer resistant.
Physotegia
Sun, Zone 2-9, 2-3 ft. tall, EASY, Summer/fall. Excellent perennials for late summer/fall color. Their appearance is neat and blooms are much like the snapdragon in the way they cluster up the stem.
970. Rose Pink
A nice clear, deep rose color, exceptionally easy to grow, spreading without being invasive. They love full sun, a well drained site and repel deer.
Polemonium
Part sun or shade, zones 4-7, Spring. Our Jacobs Ladder has been growing happily in our shade garden for over 15 years. It is a testament to its ease of growth. We have not done anything special to it in all those years and yet it rewards us with clear blue flowers and fernlike foliage.
990. Pearl Blue
Azure blue blossoms for the shady side of the garden. Grow to 16". The pretty green alternating leaflets form a ladder-like pattern. Trim them back and they will bloom again later in the season.
Primula
Part Sun or Shade, Zone 5-8, Spring. Blooming in early spring with an amazing array of colors, they beckon the beginning of the warm season to come. Grown in shade, they will bloom all summer and into early winter here in the North.
1000. Pacific Giants Mix
Only 8" high, but with huge flower heads. A fine mix of colors including white, pink, blue, carmine, red, purple, yellow, and white. Although there are many varieties of Primrose available,we find this variety to be the hardiest and most adaptable to a wide range of conditions, (without sacrificing beauty).
1010. Blue Shades
These Pacific Giant primroses have been selected for their lovely shades of blue.
1020. Rose Shades
An extraordinary selection of deep pink and rose colored Pacific Giant Primroses.
Rudbeckia
Sun, Zone 3-9, EASY, Summer/fall. The classic American flower, familiar to all. Beautiful in mass or in small clumps through the garden.
1050. Cappuccino
Vivid yellow blooms with mahogany center rings shower the garden with color all season long.
1060. Goldsturm
Giant 4" flowers on 2 ft. plants that bloom all season long. Long-lived and hassle-free plants. Favorites for mid to late season color.
1070. Indian Summer
Enormous 6-9" yellow semi- double and single blooms on 3' tall plants, yet require no staking. Excellent for cutting.
Salvia
Sun or Light Shade, Zone 4-9, EASY, early summer. These deep blue spikes provide a sweep of blue early in the garden season and continue to do so over a long period. They are hardy, long lived, and very easy to grow.
1090. Blue Queen
A part of our garden for many years they reliably produce an intense navy blue color on 11/2 -2 ft. tall plants.
Veronica
These genteel plants provide a profusion of blue or pink spikes creating a truly Victorian ambiance in your garden. The blooms make a sweet cut flower.
1160. Sightseeing
A blend of white, pink, and blue flowers growing to 28" tall. They are very easy to grow.
1170. Blue Spires
Like the sightseeing mix but with tall blue spikes of flowers.
Deer Repellent Annuals
Ageratum
The lively and beautiful sky blue buttons, are clustered above strong tall stems. A favorite of ours for cutting, easy to grow, prolific, and a lovely Victorian addition.
1210. Leilani Blue
Still my favorite Ageratum that is tall enough for cutting (1 1/2 ft.) but with a neat and compact habit. The vibrant blue fluffy flowers are self cleaning and bloom all summer long. Attractive to butterflies.
Centaurea Bachelor Buttons
The brilliant blue of the cornflower is probably the most eye catching flower a cottage garden can have. It is easy to grow and its playful nature make it perfect for the cottage garden.
1230. Jubilee Gem
Packed with radiant blue flowers growing a foot high with a tint of silver on the bushy foliage. Excellent cut flower as well.
Cleome
Tall, airy, and graceful,these plants are adorned with huge flower clusters that open daily. They love lots of sun and are drought and heat tolerant. They fill out the back of the border beautifully or can stand on their own.
1240. Cherry Queen
An excellent cut flower at 3-4 ft. tall in our favorite shade of deep rose.
1250. Royal Queen Mix
A pretty mix that can include cherry, pink, violet or white.
Datura
The huge tubular bells of these old Victorian plants bring fragrant romance back into the garden. Handsome and easy to grow.
1280. Belle Blanche
Magnificent pearl white 7 in. fragrant blooms on plants reaching 3 ft. high. Grown 4 plants to the pack. Sometimes called Moon flower.
Larkspur
Cheery and lighthearted, their popsicle colors stand out in the most whimsical way. In the country or city, their color and stature weave a spell throughout the garden. Once established, they will return year after year. Exceptional for cutting purposes.
1300. Exquisite Blue Bell
A fine and true blue annual delphinium.
1310. Exquisite Mix
Colorful spikes about four ft. tall, in shades of blue, pink, scarlet, and white.
Marigolds
Marigolds date back to before Victorian times. The aromatic leaves, feathery and fern-like, also repel deer and many insects. They are exceptionally easy to grow and look beautiful all season long.
1350. Durango Bolero
Absolutely beautiful colors. 2 1/2" yellow flowers are speckled with red creating constant color for pots, boxes or the garden border. Grows 10-12" tall.
1360. Lemon Gem
The blossoms are small single yellow flowers borne in profusion all season long on 12" high plants. Unlike traditional marigolds these have a lemony fragrance. Perfect for the cottage or herb garden.
1370. Tangerine Gem
The same lemon scent but with color of a fresh tangerine that adds vibrancy to the garden or a clay pot.
Morning Glory
This popular American classic is easy to grow and tolerates low fertility. Let it ramble up a rural mailbox, porch trellis, or lamp post where it smothers the object with large saucer shaped blooms. Grown 4 plants to the pack.
1390. Grandpa Ott
Thank goodness this heritage variety has recently resurfaced. It has shimmering deep blue/purple flowers with a burgundy star at its center. The coloring is truly spectacular. Another wonderful aspect of this flower is that it initiates blooms very early in the season and continues until the frost.
1400. Heavenly Blue
Large cheerful sky-blue blooms and creamy white throats. Fast-growing, large vines with attractive foliage. Height 8'. Easy to grow. Grows best in full sun. Blooms later in the season and into fall. A classic American favorite.
Nicotiana
This is an ornamental species of tobacco. Sweet smelling, pest-free, the 21/2 " star shaped flowers bloom in profusion all summer long. They enjoy sun or shade and especially the summer humidity.
1440. Fragrant Cloud
The alluring large white clustered flowers produce an enticing fragrance every evening. The strong stems grow to 3 ft.
1450. Perfume
Colorful upward facing flowers of rose, red, and lime with a delicate scent. Grows to 2 ft. or more.
1460. Only the Lonely
Their fragrance is glorious, drifting through the evening air all summer long. Elegant at 5 ft. with multiple white trumpet shaped blooms.
Petunias
Although some consider this a common flower, its American roots go way back to the 1830's and by 1870 the grandiflora types were offered. One of easiest plants to grow, they fill the garden with color all summer long.
1530. Dreams Mix
Every evening, we were greeted with the petunia's lovely fragrance at the entrance of our home. They will provide gorgeous displays of Burgundy, Midnight Blue, Rose Morn, and Sky Blue flowers steadily until a heavy frost. From our picture window we could see the hummingbirds feed on the flowers.
Salvia
These hardy annuals come in many habits and colors. We've chosen two distinctly different varieties though each has its own remarkable qualities.
1550. Victoria
Fleuroselect winners for their intense blue-violet spikes on compact plants. They are 18" high and 14" wide. The lovely blue flowers continued to give our garden color right into November.
1560. Hummingbird Mix
Provides masses of small trumpet shaped blooms that hummingbirds love! A blend of varietal colors including Coral Nymph, Lady in Red, Snow Nymph and Forest Fire. Grows to 12-15". Hardy in the South.
Snapdragons
Among all the annuals of the cottage garden, this one is the queen. It is so hard to find the tall varieties at nurseries. We offer our favorites for the garden, both grow to 30" tall.
1590. Rocket Mix
We chose a mix because all the colors are so beautiful and useful that we could not decide on just a few. Growing 30-36" tall, they are heat tolerant and bloom all summer in a wide range of colors including: Red, orchid, lemon, rose, and cherry. It seems the more we cut, the more they bloom.
1600. Madame Butterfly
Stock
Hardy annuals with a delicious perfume emitted in the morning, evening, and after a rain shower. They form branching columns of double blooms. Excellent performance in beds and borders as well as for cut flowers.
1620. Vintage Mix
Traditionally grown in cooler climes, hence it's frequent use in English gardens. This newly developed form withstands heat so we can enjoy the fragrant blooms all summer. Offered in antique shades of rose, blue, carmine, yellow,red, and lilac Grows a foot high.
Deer Repellent Delphiniums
A word about Delphiniums and deer. Deer have never eaten our delphiniums and some gardening friends that have high deer pressure have said the same. But many others have said that deer have eaten their delphiniums. As you know, they are our favorites so we think its worth a try. You can view our Delphinium selection by clicking here.
49. Summer Clouds
A mix of sky blue, deep blue and white blossoms with the same qualities found in Summer Nights.
115. Green Twist
Gorgeous white petals have a green tinge as does the inner "bee". These petals will hold on tight. The strong spikes are flower filled and grow to about 3 ft. They quickly develop to a mature plant.
130. Sweetheart
Sturdy spires of vibrant pink to soft rose colored flowers with a white bee. They are early bloomers that tend to continue to send out blooms throughout the season.