Planting flowers and shrubs that deer don’t like to nibble on is an effective strategy for protecting the garden while staying welcoming to woodland visitors.
Here is a collection of deer-resistant annuals to help you keep your garden colourful and uneaten. For more ideas, see the first article in this series, "Deer-Resistant Annuals."
Lobelia
Lobelia mounds and trails equally well in sun or light shade, and is an attractive addition to window boxes, planters, or raised beds. "Sapphire Blue" is a popular type, but there are also white, pink, red, and mixed colours available, in both upright and trailing forms.
Marigold
Marigolds are easy to grow, reliable bloomers right through frost, and unappealing to deer. African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are white, yellow, or orange, growing 1-3' tall. Both Afro-French and French marigolds grow from 7-10" tall, making them ideal for borders and beds. Full sun.
Mimulus
Mimulus, known as Monkey Flower, has yellow flowers, which are often blotched, spotted, or speckled. Mimulus is one of the few deer-resistant annuals that thrives in damp soil and shade.
"Calypso" grows to 9" tall, and has the best variety of colours and forms.
Nicotiana
A hybrid of the tobacco plant, Nicotiana is a shorter, bushier version with upright flowers in an array of bright colours. The "Domino" series is dwarf, and grows only 1' tall, while the "Sensation" series grows 2-3' tall. Sun or light shade.
Poppies
Speices range from the delicate, papery blooms of the Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaula), to the bold, ball-shaped blooms of the Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). A common type, the Shirley poppy (Papaver rhoeas), grows about 2½' tall. Full sun.
Zinnia
Zinnias are available in a range of sizes, flower shapes, and colours. Large ones such as "State Fair" bear blooms up to 5" wide, while smaller versions like "Thumbelina" grow only 6" tall.
Zinnias may not do well every season, as they dislike long periods of cool wet weather. Full sun.
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