How to Stop Deer From Eating Your Plants: A New Hampshire Homeowner’s Guide to Deer-Resistant Landscaping

If you live in New Hampshire, chances are you’ve experienced the frustration of discovering that your beautiful landscape has become an all-you-can-eat buffet for the local deer.

One day your arborvitae, hostas, shrubs, or flowering plants look great. The next day, they’re chewed down, stripped of foliage, or missing their flowers entirely.

So, how do you stop deer from eating your plants?

The good news is that you have options. From choosing deer-resistant plants to protecting vulnerable shrubs and redesigning problem areas, a thoughtful landscape plan can significantly reduce deer damage without sacrificing the beauty of your property.

Here are some of the most common questions New Hampshire homeowners have about deer and their landscapes.

Why are deer eating my plants?

Deer eat plants because they are a natural food source, and suburban landscapes can provide an easy meal. New Hampshire has significant deer populations, and deer frequently move through residential landscapes looking for food. During periods when natural food is limited, particularly in late fall and winter, deer may browse heavily on landscape plants.

Evergreen shrubs can be especially vulnerable during winter. Arborvitae and yew are among the plants that deer commonly browse in New Hampshire. And unfortunately, putting your plants close to your house does not necessarily protect them. If the deer are hungry enough, they may happily walk right up to your front door for dinner.

How can I tell if deer are eating my plants?

Deer browsing can leave some pretty recognizable clues.

Look for:

• Ragged or torn edges on leaves and branches

• Missing flower buds or flowers

• Small branches stripped of foliage

• Shrubs that appear “hedged” or eaten from the outside

• Damage occurring from the ground upward

• Browsing that reaches several feet above the ground

• A noticeable line where vegetation has been eaten

Deer generally tear plant material rather than making the clean cuts you might see from pruning or some smaller animals. Their browsing can affect leaves, flowers, buds, and small branches.

You may also notice that certain plants are untouched while others nearby have been heavily damaged. That can be another clue that deer are responsible. If the damage is concentrated very close to the ground and you see clean, angled cuts or bark damage, another animal such as a rabbit may be responsible instead.

What plants do deer like to eat?

Unfortunately, some of the plants homeowners love most are also popular with deer.

In New Hampshire, deer commonly browse plants such as:

• Arborvitae

• Yew

• Rhododendron

• Holly

• Hostas

• Some fruiting and flowering plants

• Various young trees and shrubs

Arborvitae are particularly vulnerable during the winter months when other food sources become less available. That doesn't mean you can never plant these species. It does mean you should consider deer pressure when deciding where and how to use them.

What are the best deer-resistant plants for New Hampshire?

There is no such thing as a completely deer-proof plant. Hungry deer can browse plants they would normally avoid.

However, some plants are significantly less attractive to deer than others.

UNH Extension notes that deer often avoid plants with characteristics such as aromatic foliage, prickly or spiny foliage, tough leaves, or hairy textures.

Some plants that can work well in New Hampshire landscapes include:

Perennials and groundcovers

• Catmint

• Black-eyed Susan

• Ferns

• Bleeding heart

• Hellebores

• Lungwort

• Barrenwort

• Tiarella

• Some varieties of iris

Shrubs and evergreens

• Mountain laurel

• Japanese pieris

• Boxwood

• Eastern red cedar

• Some junipers

UNH Extension specifically identifies several of these plants as deer-resistant or generally avoided by deer in New Hampshire landscapes.

The important part is choosing plants based on the entire landscape, not simply picking a list of “deer-resistant” plants. Sun exposure, soil, drainage, mature size, maintenance requirements, and the overall design of the property should all factor into the decision.

Are there plants that deer will never eat?

No.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about deer-resistant landscaping.

A plant labeled “deer resistant” does not mean deer will never touch it. It means the plant is generally less preferred by deer.

When food is scarce, deer can become much less selective. UNH Extension recommends thinking in terms of deer resistance rather than assuming any plant is completely deer-proof. That is why the most effective approach often combines plant selection with other deer-management strategies.

How can I stop deer from eating my plants?

There isn't one magic solution that works for every property. The best strategy depends on how much deer pressure you have and which plants are being damaged.

Some of the most effective options include:

1. Choose deer-resistant plants.

Replacing highly attractive plants with varieties that deer tend to avoid can reduce ongoing browsing.

2. Protect vulnerable plants.

Physical barriers such as fencing or wire cages can protect individual trees and shrubs. This can be particularly useful for newly planted trees and shrubs while they become established.

3. Use deer repellents.

Repellents can discourage deer from repeatedly visiting a landscape. UNH Extension recommends beginning repellent applications in the fall before deer become heavily dependent on landscape plants for winter food.

4. Redesign problem areas.

If deer repeatedly destroy the same planting bed, replacing the entire bed with a more deer-resistant plant palette may be more practical than continually replacing individual plants.

This is where thoughtful landscape design can make a big difference.

Will deer-resistant plants completely solve my deer problem?

Not necessarily.

Think of deer-resistant landscaping as reducing the appeal of your property, rather than creating an invisible force field around it.

If your property has a high deer population, you may still see occasional browsing. In areas with heavy deer pressure, physical exclusion such as fencing is generally the most effective method of protecting plants.

For many homeowners, however, combining deer-resistant planting with targeted protection and repellents can provide a much more practical solution.

Should I replace my arborvitae if deer keep eating them?

It depends. Arborvitae are popular for privacy screens and foundation plantings, but they are also a favorite winter food source for deer in New Hampshire.

If your arborvitae are repeatedly being damaged, you could protect them with physical barriers or consider whether a different evergreen would work better for your property.

Eastern red cedar and certain junipers, for example, are generally less attractive to deer and can provide evergreen structure in the landscape. A landscape professional can help determine whether replacing, protecting, or redesigning the planting is the most cost-effective option.

Is deer-resistant landscaping expensive?

It doesn't have to be. In many cases, deer-resistant landscaping can be a relatively simple planting adjustment rather than a complete landscape renovation.

Instead of removing everything and starting over, you may be able to replace only the plants that are consistently being damaged. You can also introduce deer-resistant perennials, shrubs, and groundcovers around existing plants to create a more resilient planting design.

For homeowners in southern New Hampshire, this can be a practical way to improve the appearance of a landscape while reducing the constant cycle of replacing plants that deer have eaten.

When is the best time to deer-proof my landscape?

The best time depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

If deer are already damaging your plants, you can begin protecting vulnerable areas immediately.

For planting projects, fall and spring are both common landscape installation seasons in New Hampshire. Planning ahead can help you choose plants that are better suited to your property and the amount of deer pressure you're experiencing.

Fall is also an important time to think about deer protection because browsing can become more intense as natural food sources become limited.

Can you create a deer-resistant planting design for my New Hampshire property?

Yes. At Design Works Landscaping, we can help you evaluate your existing landscape and identify plants that are repeatedly becoming deer food. From there, we can recommend a planting approach that balances deer resistance with the things that actually make a landscape beautiful: color, texture, seasonal interest, structure, and scale.

Our goal isn't to create a landscape that looks like a collection of plants deer don't like. It's to create a landscape you actually want to look at.

Whether you're dealing with deer eating your arborvitae in Nashua, hostas disappearing in Bedford, shrubs being damaged in Windham, or deer browsing throughout your property in Londonderry, thoughtful plant selection can make your landscape more resilient.

Ready to stop feeding the neighborhood deer?

Contact Design Works Landscaping to talk about deer-resistant planting options for your New Hampshire landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions About Deer-Proofing Your Landscape

What is the best way to stop deer from eating plants?

Physical exclusion such as fencing is generally the most effective method. For many residential landscapes, combining deer-resistant plants, targeted protection, and repellents can be a more practical approach.

What plants are most resistant to deer in New Hampshire?

Plants such as ferns, catmint, bleeding heart, hellebores, mountain laurel, Japanese pieris, eastern red cedar, and some junipers are generally less attractive to deer. No plant is completely deer-proof.

Do deer eat arborvitae?

Yes. Arborvitae are among the evergreen plants that deer commonly browse in New Hampshire, particularly during winter when food is scarce.

How do I know if deer are eating my shrubs?

Look for torn or ragged foliage, missing buds and branches, and browsing damage extending from the ground upward. Deer commonly feed on leaves, flowers, buds, and small branches.

Will deer-resistant plants keep deer off my property?

No. Deer-resistant plants are less attractive to deer, but hungry deer may still browse them. A combination of plant selection, repellents, and physical barriers is generally more effective.

Can Design Works Landscaping help with deer-resistant landscaping?

Yes. A landscape professional can help evaluate your existing plants, identify recurring deer damage, and develop a planting plan that incorporates more deer-resistant trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers.