Plants Less Tasty to Deer

Compiled by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, Inc.
Printable PDF version here

KEYS TO FLOWER COLOR:
B=Blue	V=Violet/Purple	R=Red
O=Orange	G=Green	W=White
P=Pink	Y=Yellow

SHRUBS & PERENNIALS

• Arctostaphylos spp., Manzanita P/W – tough, thick foliage
• Artemisia californica, Coastal Sagebrush – bitter, scented foliage
• Baccharis spp., Coyote Brush W – waxy, scented foliage
• Berberis spp., Barberry Y – prickly leaves
• Calycanthus occidentalis, Spice Bush R – scented foliage
• Carpenteria californica (1). Bush Anemone W – tough, shiny foliage
• Ceanothus purpureus and cultivars (2), California Lilac B/V – spiny foliage
• Dendromecon spp.(1), Bush Poppy Y – tough, waxy foliage
• Epilobium canum latifolia and E. canum, California Fuchsia R/W – thin, tough foliage
• Eriogonum fasciculatum (3), California Buckwheat W – dry, needle-like foliage
• Erigeron glaucus, Seaside Daisy B/V – bitter/unpalatable
• Eschscholzia californica, California Poppy O – poisonous
• Fragaria spp., Wild Strawberry W – bitter/unpalatable
• Iris spp., Iris B/R/V/W – bitter/unpalatable
• Lupinus spp., Lupine B/P/V – poisonous
• Mimulus spp., Monkey Flower O/P/R/Y– bitter/unpalatable
• Monardella spp., Coyote Mint P/V/W – scented foliage
• Penstemon spp., Penstemon, Beard-Tongue B/P/R/V – bitter/unpalatable
• Prunus spp., Cherry W – bitter, waxy foliage
• Rhus spp., Sumac P/W including R. integrifolia, R. laurina and R. ovata, Sugar Bush – scented foliage
• Ribes spp., Currant P/R/W – scented foliage
• Romneya coulteri, Matilija Poppy W – tough, bitter foliage
• Salvia spp., Sage B/P/V/W – scented foliage
• Sisyrinchium bellum and cultivars(1), Blue-Eyed Grass B/V – bitter/unpalatable
• Tellima grandiflora, Fringe-Cups R/W – bitter/unpalatable

TREES

• Aesculus californica, California Buckeye W – poisonous
• Conifers (most) – tough, needle- or scale-like foliage
• Lyonothamnus floribundus asplenifolius, Santa Cruz Ironwood W – scented foliage
• Quercus spp., Oak (most), especially prickly varieties such as Q. agrifolia, Coast Live Oak
• Sambucus mexicana, Elderberry W/Y – bitter
• Washingtonia filifera, California Fan Palm – tough, stringy leaves

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(1) Fresh foliage may occasionally be nibbled in spring
(2) Most Ceanothus with smooth (non-prickly) leaves, such as C. arboreus and C. griseus are not safe and will be eaten.
(3) Not safe: Eriogonum arborescens, Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat, Eriogonum crocatum, Conejo Buckwheat or Eriogonum giganteum, St. Catherine’s Lace