Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Leaves deer find unappealing keep the deer off, 1–2 ft tall and rarely touched.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
- Home
- By state
- Connecticut
- Deer-resistant
Connecticut · Zones 5–7
Deer-Resistant Native Plants in Connecticut
Native plants deer tend to walk past — the aromatic, fuzzy, and bitter-leaved species that survive where browsing is heavy. Every species here is genuinely native to Connecticut and the wider flora of the Northeast and hardy through zones 5–7 — proven performers for Connecticut's cool, humid continental climate across Northeastern Coastal Forest, not a generic list. Local standouts include Virginia Bluebells and Foamflower. No plant is truly deer-proof when winters are hard and the herd is hungry, but deer reliably avoid aromatic foliage (mints and salvias), fuzzy or coarse leaves, and toxic or bitter sap. Lean on those traits, plant the few irresistible things close to the house, and a new bed will sail through its first season far more often than not.
The plants
36 native species for Connecticut
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
One deer reliably leave alone, on the strength of leaves deer find unappealing.
- Part shade
- Average
- 6–12 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Lanceleaf Coreopsis
Coreopsis lanceolata
Tough, unpalatable leaves keep the deer off, 1.5–2 ft tall and rarely touched.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 1.5–2 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Short-Toothed Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum muticum
Deer tend to walk past aromatic foliage — dependable where browsing is heavy, at 2–3 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
Coarse, bitter foliage keeps the deer off, 1.5–2 ft tall and rarely touched.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–2 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Dense Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Browse-resistant thanks to coarse, bitter foliage — a safe bet up to 2–4 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Aug
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
One deer reliably leave alone, on the strength of the strong-smelling foliage.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Golden Alexanders
Zizia aurea
Leaves deer find unappealing keep the deer off, 1.5–2.5 ft tall and rarely touched.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 1.5–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
One deer reliably leave alone, on the strength of coarse, bitter foliage.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Common Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Browse-resistant thanks to coarse, bitter foliage — a safe bet up to 1.5–3 ft tall.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms May–Aug
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
One deer reliably leave alone, on the strength of coarse, bitter foliage.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
Browse-resistant thanks to its scented leaves — a safe bet up to 2–4 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Culver's Root
Veronicastrum virginicum
Deer tend to walk past leaves deer find unappealing — dependable where browsing is heavy, at 3–5 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 3–5 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Leaves deer find unappealing keep the deer off, 1.5–3 ft tall and rarely touched.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Browse-resistant thanks to tough, unpalatable leaves — a safe bet up to 1–2.5 ft tall.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Showy Goldenrod
Solidago speciosa
Deer tend to walk past leaves deer find unappealing — dependable where browsing is heavy, at 2–4 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Sep–Oct
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Deer tend to walk past tough, unpalatable leaves — dependable where browsing is heavy, at 2–3 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Aug–Sep
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Tough, unpalatable leaves keep the deer off, 1.5–2.5 ft tall and rarely touched.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–2.5 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
Browse-resistant thanks to coarse, bitter foliage — a safe bet up to 12–18 in tall.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
One deer reliably leave alone, on the strength of leaves deer find unappealing.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 30–50 ft
- Blooms Jun
Wild Lupine
Lupinus perennis
One deer reliably leave alone, on the strength of leaves deer find unappealing.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Deer tend to walk past leaves deer find unappealing — dependable where browsing is heavy, at 5–10 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Dry to wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
Deer tend to walk past coarse, bitter foliage — dependable where browsing is heavy, at 2–6 ft tall.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–6 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Its scented leaves keep the deer off, 6–12 ft tall and rarely touched.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 6–12 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
12 more also qualify: Bearberry, Creeping Phlox, Wild Ginger, New Jersey Tea, Pennsylvania Sedge, Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem, Switchgrass, Indian Grass, Christmas Fern, Cinnamon Fern, Prairie Dropseed.
Sourcing
Where to find these in Connecticut
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.