plants for your 7 deer-resistant Midwest garden

Deer can easily ravage a garden by feasting on flowers, shrubs and vegetables. One trick to keep these creatures at bay is to fill your garden with deer-resistant plants. Here are a few species they tend to avoid.

1. Amsonia

Native to North America, these perennials are quite easy to grow. They produce clusters of star-shaped blue flowers in spring and bright, golden foliage in the fall.

2. Bugbane

Spikes of wispy white flowers bloom on this plant in late summer. While its toxicity keeps deer away, bugbane isn’t a good fit for yards with pets or young children.

3. Columbine

These elegant, bell-shaped flowers come in a variety of colors and are a favorite among hummingbirds. In the fall, the plant’s dark green foliage turns maroon.

4. Evening primrose

While deer and rabbits ignore them, these fragrant pink flowers attract a variety of pollinators. Consider growing this tough, sprawling plant as ground cover.

5. Globe thistle

This hardy plant is resistant to disease, drought and pests. Its blue and purple flowers are prickly, but they bloom for months and are ideal for dried bouquets.

6. Purple coneflower

Part of the daisy family, this plant’s rough foliage is unappealing to deer. Its flowers, however, are sure to draw bees and butterflies to your garden.

7. Russian sage

Dense clusters of lavender-purple flowers bloom from late spring until fall. This plant’s silvery foliage has a delightful fragrance that repels deer.

You can find these and other plants to adorn your yard at farmers markets, garden centers and nurseries in your area.