The Best Small Deer Resistant Shrubs for Your Garden

3 min read

Small deer-resistant shrubs can add color, texture, and structure to your garden while keeping it wildlife-friendly. These plants are not only attractive but also hardy and less likely to be nibbled by your local deer population. Here's a selection of the 8 best small deer-resistant shrubs for your garden with care requirements.

a deer resistant shrub with purple flowers

Barberry (Berberis)

Barberry stands out with its vibrant foliage and thorny stems, which are effective at deterring deer. It's a hardy shrub that adds color and texture to your garden.

Height: 1-2 m (3-6 ft)
Color Varieties: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Well-drained

multiple small Boxwoods perfect for housefronts

Boxwood (Buxus)

Boxwood is a classic choice as a tiny evergreen shrub for housefronts, because of its dense, lush foliage. It can be easily shaped into neat hedges or left to grow naturally.

Height: 90-120 cm (3-4 ft)
Color Varieties: Green
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Well-drained

a small yellow flowering bush that is strong against deer

Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa)

Potentilla is a small, bushy shrub with a long blooming season. Its yellow flowers come in various colors, and it's known for being a deer resistant flowering plant.

Height: 60-120 cm (2-4 ft)
Color Varieties: Yellow, White, Pink, Orange
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Well-drained

Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica')

This slow-growing shrub called Dwarf Alberta Spruce is ideal for small spaces with sun and offers a soft, fine texture that contrasts well with other plants.

Height: 1-1.8 m (3-6 ft),
Color Varieties: Green
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained

a tiny Bluebeard bush with purple flowers

Bluebeard (Caryopteris)

Bluebeard has late summer to fall blooming clusters of blue-purple flowers. This small, deer resistant bush for sun is not a favorite of deer and adds a splash of color when many other plants are fading.

Height: 60-90 cm (2-3 ft)
Color Varieties: Blue
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Well-drained

an Russian Sage bush that is deer resistant

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Russian Sage offers tall, airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers and silvery foliage. When keeping deer out of your garden this fast-growing and deer-resistant shrub is a must-have, it is perfect for adding height and a touch of whimsy to your garden.

Height: 0.9-1.2 m (3-4 ft)
Color Varieties: Lavender-blue
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Well-drained, average

multiple blooming Heather bushes with pink blooms

Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Heather offers vibrant evergreen foliage and small, colorful flowers. They are perfect for adding texture and color, especially in rocky or coastal gardens or as small flowering bushes.

Height: 50-70 cm (20-28 in)
Color Varieties: Pink, White, Purple
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Needs: Well-drained, acidic

Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce (Picea pungens 'Globosa')

This compact version of the blue spruce is known for its distinctive blue needles and globe-like shape. It’s slow-growing, making it perfect for small gardens, and deer tend to avoid it.

Height: 1-1.5 m (3-5 ft)
Color Varieties: Blue
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Needs: Well-drained