Because your garden deserves more bloom, less browse.

There’s nothing quite like the heartbreak of watching your summer garden dreams get chomped to bits by a passing herd of deer. One minute—lush color and buzzing pollinators. The next? Nibbled blooms and disappointment.

But don’t worry. At Evans Street Design Co., we believe a beautiful garden and a browse-free backyard can coexist. The secret? Deer-resistant perennials. These botanical beauties are as tough as they are stunning—featuring textures, scents, and flavors that deer tend to turn their noses up at.

Here are some of our favorite summer bloomers that say “no thanks” to deer but “yes please” to pollinators and easy-care color.

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🌿 Yarrow (Achillea)

Zones 3–9 | Full Sun

Drought-tolerant? Check. Low-maintenance? Check. Bright, flat-topped blooms that butterflies love and deer skip right past? Triple check.
Yarrow’s feathery foliage and strong scent make it less appetizing to four-legged grazers. Plant in drifts for a soft, meadow-style vibe or tuck it into your sunny border for that carefree cottage look.

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🌸 Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)

Zones 5–9 | Full Sun

This minty-fresh perennial has spicy-scented foliage that smells divine to us—but not so much to deer or rabbits. Towering spires of flowers draw hummingbirds and bees from miles around while deterring unwanted grazers. Plant it once, and you’ll wonder how your garden ever lived without it.

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🌼 Coneflower (Echinacea)

Zones 4–9 | Full Sun

A native garden darling that works overtime: summer-to-frost color, pollinator power, seedheads for winter birds—and yes, deer resistance. Coneflowers are sturdy, sculptural, and stunning in any sun-filled garden bed. Bonus points for looking just as good in bouquets as they do on the stem.

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💛 Tickseed (Coreopsis)

Zones 4–9 | Full Sun

Coreopsis is sunshine in plant form. These cheerful yellow (or pink or red!) blooms float above ferny foliage and thrive in the heat. Butterflies can’t get enough—but deer and rabbits aren’t fans. A solid choice if you want months of bloom with barely any maintenance.

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💜 Lavender

Zones 5–9 | Full Sun

Ah, lavender. Beloved by gardeners, feared by deer. The fragrant oil that soothes our senses also keeps grazers at bay. Line your paths, edge your beds, or fill your containers with this Mediterranean must-have. It’s drought-tolerant, elegant, and effortlessly timeless.

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🌺 Astilbe

Zones 4–9 | Part Shade to Shade

Need color in the shade and protection from deer? Astilbe’s got your back. Its fluffy plumes and lacy leaves add texture and romance to woodland-inspired spaces. And thanks to its bitter-tasting foliage, it rarely ends up on the local deer’s dinner menu.

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🐝 Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Zones 3–9 | Full Sun

These golden beauties are born to bloom in summer heat and keep going until the first frost. While their cheerful daisy-like flowers welcome bees and butterflies, their hairy leaves and stems tend to discourage deer. It’s like nature’s own velvet rope.

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A Note on “Deer-Resistant”

Let’s be real: no plant is totally deer-proof. A hungry deer will try almost anything once (like a toddler with a snack they claim to hate). But these perennials are generally passed over in favor of softer, more tender fare.

So if you’re looking to plant a show-stopping summer garden without offering it up as an all-you-can-eat buffet, these picks are your best bet.

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Need help designing your dream garden—deer drama and all?
Let’s plan a space that’s equal parts practical and pretty. Book a consultation with us at Evans Street Design Co. and we’ll help you grow something gorgeous.