Deer-Resistant Plants for Zone 7: A Home Gardener’s Guide

Deer are a common nuisance for gardeners in many areas, especially in suburban and semi-rural regions throughout the Atlanta Metro area. While it's impossible to guarantee a deer-free garden, there are many plants that deer typically avoid. These plants tend to have strong scents, thick foliage, or a taste that deer dislike. If you’re a home gardener looking to create a beautiful landscape that’s less vulnerable to deer, choosing plants that are resistant to deer browsing is a good strategy. In this guide, we’ll cover some deer-resistant plants for Zone 7 (Metro Atlanta), offering tips on planting, watering, sun/shade needs, fertilization, and ideal companion plants. These plants are also particularly attractive to wildlife and can add layers of beauty and function to your garden.

Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)

🌱 Planting & Care: Abelia is a versatile and compact shrub that works well in a variety of garden styles. Plant it in a spot that receives full sun to part sun. Prepare the soil by loosening it and mixing in some organic matter. Abelia can be planted in spring or fall, making it adaptable to different gardening schedules.

💧 Watering: Water newly planted Abelia deeply to establish roots, then water weekly during dry spells. Once established, Abelia is fairly drought-tolerant.

☀️ Sun/Shade: Full sun is preferred for the best flowering, but it can tolerate part sun as well. In too much shade, it may not flower as prolifically.

🍽️ Fertilizer: Feed Abelia with a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) in April and June for optimal growth and blooms.

🌿 Companion Plants: Pair with low-growing groundcovers like Creeping Jenny or colorful perennials like Coreopsis to create a lush, layered garden.

🚫 Deer Resistance: Deer tend to avoid Abelia due to its fragrant flowers and slightly leathery leaves, making it an excellent option for a deer-friendly landscape.

Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa)

🌱 Planting & Care: Flowering Quince is a stunning, slow-growing shrub that flowers in spring. It thrives in full sun to part sun and can tolerate a variety of soil types. When planting, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and ensure the plant is level with the soil surface.

💧 Watering: Water the plant deeply after planting. Once established, watering should be done every 1–2 weeks during dry spells. Avoid over-watering, as quince doesn’t like soggy soil.

☀️ Sun/Shade: This plant prefers full sun but can tolerate part sun as well. Too much shade may cause it to become leggy with fewer flowers.

🍽️ Fertilizer: Apply a 10-10-10 fertilizer in April and June to promote healthy foliage and more vibrant blooms.

🌿 Companion Plants: Consider planting alongside early-blooming spring perennials like Bleeding Heart or Columbine, which complement the quince’s early flowers.

🚫 Deer Resistance: The thorny branches and sour-tasting fruit make Flowering Quince unattractive to deer. Its sharp spines can also act as a natural deterrent.

Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans)

🌱 Planting & Care: Tea Olive is an evergreen shrub that works well as a specimen or hedge. It prefers full sun to part sun and well-drained soil. Dig a hole that is twice the width of the root ball, and mix in compost for added nutrients.

💧 Watering: Water Tea Olive deeply after planting and maintain regular watering until it becomes established. Once established, Tea Olive is drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering.

☀️ Sun/Shade: Tea Olive thrives in full sun but will tolerate some shade, though it may not flower as frequently in shady conditions.

🍽️ Fertilizer: Fertilize with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring (April) and again in early summer (June) to encourage healthy growth and fragrant blooms.

🌿 Companion Plants: Pair with flowering shrubs like Daphne or Camellia to add variety and visual interest. Hostas or ferns also make great companions for a shaded corner.

🚫 Deer Resistance: Tea Olive’s strong fragrance deters deer, making it an excellent choice for your garden if you are trying to avoid deer damage.

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)

🌱 Planting & Care: Butterfly Bush is a showy shrub known for attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees. It grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Ensure the soil is well-drained and amend with compost to improve the texture.

💧 Watering: Water deeply after planting, and continue to water weekly during dry spells. Butterfly Bush is somewhat drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering.

☀️ Sun/Shade: Full sun is essential for the best blooms, but it can tolerate part shade. However, flowering may be reduced in shadier locations.

🍽️ Fertilizer: Feed with a 10-10-10 fertilizer in April and again in June for robust flowering.

🌿 Companion Plants: Partner Butterfly Bush with lavender or sage for a fragrant, colorful garden. Coneflowers and Black-Eyed Susans will also complement its vibrant hues.

🚫 Deer Resistance: The strong scent of Butterfly Bush and its coarse texture typically discourage deer. Planting near other strong-smelling plants like Lavender can further reduce deer visits.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

🌱 Planting & Care: Witch Hazel is a graceful, small tree that thrives in part sun and can reach up to 8 feet in height. Plant in well-drained, acidic soil, ensuring the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface.

💧 Watering: Water thoroughly after planting. Once established, Witch Hazel requires moderate watering but is relatively drought-tolerant.

☀️ Sun/Shade: While Witch Hazel can tolerate partial shade, full sun encourages the best flowering and vibrant fall foliage.

🍽️ Fertilizer: Apply 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring (April) to support healthy growth and in June to encourage vibrant blooms.

🌿 Companion Plants: Witch Hazel pairs well with spring ephemerals like Snowdrops or winter-blooming Hellebores, as well as understory plants like ferns and hostas.

🚫 Deer Resistance: Deer typically avoid Witch Hazel due to its strong scent and slightly astringent leaves. Planting Witch Hazel near highly aromatic herbs or other deer-resistant plants will help keep them at bay.

Japanese Spreading Yew (Taxus cuspidata)

🌱 Planting & Care: Japanese Yew is an evergreen shrub that thrives in shaded or partially shaded areas. It’s well-suited for hedges or foundation plantings. It prefers moist, well-drained soil, so amend heavy clay soil with compost before planting.

💧 Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Once established, the Japanese Yew is moderately drought-tolerant.

☀️ Sun/Shade: Prefers partial to full shade but can tolerate a bit of morning sun.

🍽️ Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in early spring and again in early summer to maintain lush growth.

🌿 Companion Plants: Pair with shade-loving perennials like Astilbe or hostas for added texture. Ferns are also an excellent companion plant for a woodland-style garden.

🚫 Deer Resistance: Deer generally avoid Japanese Yew because of its sharp, dense foliage. Its rich evergreen color adds structure to shaded gardens while being deer-resistant.

How to Dissuade Deer From Your Garden

While the plants listed here are less attractive to deer, it’s important to note that deer can still be persistent. Here are a few additional steps to help keep them away:

Physical Barriers - Fencing is the most effective way to keep deer out of your garden. A fence should be at least 8 feet tall to prevent deer from jumping over it.

Repellents - Use natural deer repellents, such as garlic, hot pepper, or blood meal. Spray these around the perimeter of your garden to deter deer.

Planting Scented Herbs and Flowers - Deer dislike strong scents, so planting fragrant herbs like rosemary, thyme, or lavender near deer-resistant plants can further discourage them.

Noise and Motion - Wind chimes, motion-activated lights, or sprinklers can also help keep deer away from your garden. By using these strategies in conjunction with the right plant selection, you can enjoy a beautiful, deer-resistant garden that thrives year-round.