Ornamental Plant Susceptibility to Damage by Deer in Florida

Deer have many qualities we admire and value. Deer also may become a nuisance when their feeding behaviors damage ornamental plants and gardens and cause aggravation, inconvenience, and financial costs to property owners. As human dwellings continue to increase in rural areas where deer occur, the incidence of deer-human conflicts also will increase. This is particularly true where human developments replace native habitats and reduce the availability of natural foods preferred by deer. In these instances, deer may quickly become accustomed to feeding upon gardens, ornamental plantings, groves, and nurseries. Damage from deer may be reduced by fencing and the use of chemical repellents (see Main, Schaefer, and Allen, 1999), but a simpler, less expensive, and generally more effective alternative is to landscape with plants that deer do not like to eat.

Deer will feed upon a variety of vegetation including weeds and flowers, grasses, trees, shrubs, vines, and fruits and vegetables. Deer do not eat all plants, however, and diet is influenced by plant qualities such as taste and digestibility, and individual preferences among animals. Where deer densities are high, even plants that are normally avoided may be eaten. This IFAS extension fact sheet identifies some of the ornamental plants commonly planted in Florida and their susceptibility to damage from deer. This information may be used to guide planting decisions in areas where damage from deer is likely to be a problem. Development of this document was facilitated by a survey regarding susceptibility of commonly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials to browsing damage by deer of 71 Florida county extension agents with horticultural expertise. Thirteen counties responded to the survey, five of which provided plant species lists and eight of which reported that damage from deer was not a problem in their area.

The information provided is organized by plant growth form and is designed to assist in making decisions when landscaping in areas where damage from deer is likely to be a problem. All species listed are known to grow in Florida. In some cases, multiple species and varieties exist for a common name, such as Juniper (Juniperus spp.). In these instances, some species may be more susceptible than others and susceptibility may differ geographically. For example, the northern Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) may be severely damaged by deer in northern states.