Deer use their sense of smell not only to detect predators but also to find their next meal.

Using deer-resistant perennials and annuals in the garden is an effective way to create a deer barrier. The best deer resistant flowers are those that contain acrid sap including lavender, sage, and oregano. In addition to these herbs, deer hate the taste of pepper and garlic.

Here is a short list of flowers that Canadian gardeners can plant to repel deer:

• Virginia Bluebells
• Verbena
• Peonies
• Iris
• Baptisia
• Geraniums
• Coreopsis
• Blanket Flower
• Veronica
• Sage
• Aster
• Daffodils
• Black-Eyed Susan
• Hibiscus

Thorny bushes, such as roses, Hawkthorn and Barberry, can be used as a protective layer around the garden and create a visually appealing sight of swirling colors.

Other deer exclusion plants include: Buckeye, Lilac, Viburnum, Butterfly Bushes, and Eastern Sweetshrubs. See this complete list of deer resistant flowers courtesy of the Victoria Master Gardener Association (2013).

Use deer resistant plants alongside a deer fence for ultimate garden protection against white-tailed deer.