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10 Best Deer-Resistant Perennials for Zone 6
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If you garden in USDA Zone 6, you know the struggle: you spend all weekend planting a beautiful perennial border, only to wake up Monday morning and find it stripped bare by deer. Zone 6 (which covers much of the Midwest, Northeast, and parts of the Pacific Northwest) has some of the highest deer populations in the country.
Here are 10 of the most reliable, deer-resistant perennials that will actually survive in your Zone 6 garden.
1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is the ultimate deer-proof plant. Deer rely heavily on their sense of smell to find food, and the strong, herbaceous scent of lavender completely masks the smell of other plants nearby. It thrives in the full sun and well-draining soil typical of many Zone 6 gardens.
2. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
With its silvery foliage and purple-blue flowers, Russian Sage adds incredible texture to the garden. Like lavender, its highly aromatic leaves are a natural deer deterrent.
3. Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii)
Catmint is one of the most reliable deer-resistant perennials available. Its strong minty scent sends deer running, and it produces waves of lavender-blue flowers from late spring through fall.
4. Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
Perennial Salvias are long-blooming workhorses that deer consistently avoid. Their spiky purple flower stalks add vertical interest and attract hummingbirds.
5. Ornamental Grasses
Most ornamental grasses are completely ignored by deer. Their narrow, tough blades have no flavor or nutritional value that deer dislike, making them a safe bet for unprotected areas.
6. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow (Achillea) is a tough, drought-tolerant native plant with flat-topped flower clusters. Its fern-like foliage is highly aromatic, which keeps deer at bay. It's also a fantastic plant for attracting pollinators.
7. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Bleeding Heart is one of the few deer-resistant perennials that thrives in full shade. Its delicate, heart-shaped flowers appear in early spring. While it looks fragile, deer almost never touch it.
8. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Purple Coneflower is a native prairie plant with a spiky central cone that deer find unpalatable. It's incredibly hardy in Zone 6, handles drought well, and provides seeds for goldfinches in the winter.
9. Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)
Peonies offer massive, fragrant blooms in late spring. Despite their lush appearance, deer generally leave them alone, making them a safe choice for woodland borders.
10. Coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora)
Also known as Tickseed, Coreopsis produces masses of daisy-like flowers throughout the summer. It's a tough, low-maintenance plant that deer typically bypass in favor of tastier options.
Ready to start planting? Use our Plant Finder to discover more deer-resistant plants perfectly matched to your specific yard's sun and soil conditions.