While there are many shrubs and perennials that deer won't eat, there's nothing like annuals for providing that all-summer-long blast of colour. Over my years as a gardener who lives on a deer trail but hates the sight of wire fences encircling garden beds, I've discovered that there are a lot more annuals than just marigolds and Dusty Miller that deer will leave alone. Here are 7 that have performed well for me over the years:
Ageratum - If you're a fan of the color blue, you'll love these neatly-mounding compact plants that produce clusters of "flossy' looking flowers all season long. 'Blue Mink' is the variety most commonly found, which has mid-blue flowers and grows 8 to 10 inches tall, but there are many hybrids now, ranging from the pale blue of 'Ocean' through the deep blue of 'North Sea'. Your local nursery may have white and pink varieties, too. (Sun or light shade.)
Alyssum - I liked Alyssum's dainty flowers and cushion habit when I first saw it. Now that I've discovered how freely it self-seeds, I like it even more. The trick to keeping Alyssum blooming prolifically is to avoid planting it in over-rich soil, and to shear off dead blooms. Available in white and shades of red and purple, this is a great edger. (Full sun.)
Calendula - It makes sense that deer don't eat these, as they're also known as Pot Marigolds. The traditional variety has a yellow or orange open-faced disc-shaped flower, sometimes with a darker center. But thanks to hybridizing, you'll find cream, mahogany, or even multicolored Calendula for sale, in heights ranging from 9 to 18 inches. Not only do these provide vibrant color, but they'll grow in almost any garden soil and can even handle salt air. And they're vigorous self-seeders. (Full sun through partial shade.)
Cineraria (Dusty Miller) - If you like touches of silver gray in your gardens, this is the deer resistant annual for you. It will grow in almost any soil and will even tolerate salt air. The deeply-cut silvery-white leaves are pretty, and as Dusty Miller grows only 6 to 15 inches tall, it's a useful edging plant. (Full sun.)
Cosmos - Its slender, ferny leaves give the impression of delicacy, but Cosmos are tough, vigorous plants perfect for adding colour to the middle or back or beds and borders. The large, open-faced flowers, which grow 1 to 3 feet tall, are now available in a wide range of colors, in shades of white, red, and yellow. Cosmos do well in poor, light soil. (Full sun.)
