How to Create a Deer-Resistant Garden.

Gardening in the Hamptons comes with its own set of challenges—one of the biggest being keeping deer from turning your landscape into their personal buffet. If you’ve struggled with deer munching on your favorite plants, don’t worry! With smart plant choices, effective deterrents, and strategic landscape design, you can create a garden that thrives while staying deer-resistant.

At Hampton Nursery & Landscaping, we specialize in designing and installing landscapes that work with our local environment while keeping deer at bay. Whether you’re looking for deer-resistant plants at our garden center or need a custom landscape design, we have the expertise and selection to help you build a stunning, low-maintenance outdoor space.

Best Deer-Resistant Plants for the Hamptons

While no plant is completely deer-proof, certain plants are naturally unappealing due to their texture, scent, or taste. Here are some of the best options for our local climate:

Perennials

  • Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) – Silvery foliage and aromatic purple flowers make this a beautiful and drought-resistant choice.
  • Catmint (Nepeta spp.) – A hardy, pollinator-friendly plant that deer tend to ignore.
  • Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – A low-maintenance native perennial with colorful flower clusters and feathery foliage.

Shrubs & Small Trees

  • Boxwood (Buxus spp.) – A classic evergreen with dense foliage, perfect for hedging and resistant to deer browsing.
  • Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) – A native shrub with fragrant foliage that deer dislike.
  • Inkberry (Ilex glabra) – A tough, evergreen native holly that provides year-round interest.
  • Camellia – Flowering Shrub with year-round interest.

Annuals

  • Lantana (Lantana camara) – Vibrant, heat-tolerant flowers that attract pollinators but not deer.
  • Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) – Deer tend to steer clear of these colorful, tall flowers.
  • Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) – Their strong scent helps deter deer while brightening up garden beds.
  • Salvia
  • Coleus
  • Angelonia

Native Plants: The Key to a Resilient Landscape

Using native plants is one of the best ways to create a low-maintenance, deer-resistant landscape. Native plants are adapted to our climate, require less water and fertilizer, and support local pollinators. Many of them are also naturally unappealing to deer.

At Hampton Nursery & Landscaping, our garden center offers a diverse selection of native plants that thrive in the Hamptons, such as:
✔ Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) – Great for monarch butterflies and not a deer favorite.
✔ Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) – A tough, ornamental grass that adds movement to the garden.
✔Northern Bayberry 

Stop by our garden center to explore more native and deer-resistant plants!

Effective Deer Repellents Available at Our Garden Center

If deer are still finding their way into your garden, repellents can help protect your plants. We carry proven, effective solutions including:

  • Deer Scram – A natural granular repellent that creates a scent barrier, keeping deer away without harming them.
  • Liquid Fence – A powerful spray deterrent that prevents deer from feeding on your landscape.
  • Deer Stopper

For best results, apply repellents regularly, especially after rain, and rotate products to keep deer from becoming accustomed to them.

Fencing & Hardscape Solutions

For properties with persistent deer, fencing and hardscape elements can provide long-term protection. Our landscape design and installation team can help integrate deer-resistant solutions into your outdoor space, such as:

✔ Perimeter Fencing – Deer can jump high, so an 8-foot fence is best for keeping them out.
✔ Layered Planting Design – Using tall, dense shrubs as a natural barrier.
✔ Stone Walls & Raised Beds – Not only visually appealing but also makes it harder for deer to reach plants.

Let’s Design Your Deer-Resistant Landscape!

Whether you need deer-resistant plants, repellents, or a custom landscape design, Hampton Nursery & Landscaping has the expertise and selection to help.

🌱 Visit our garden center to explore our selection of native and deer-resistant plants.
🌿 Looking for a landscape redesign? Contact us to schedule a consultation with our expert designers.

Together, we can create a beautiful, low-maintenance, deer-resistant garden that thrives in the Hamptons!