Top 20 Best Deer-Resistant Flowers And Shrubs

Have you ever woken up to find your beautiful garden ravaged by deer?

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Many gardeners face the heartbreak of seeing their lush, vibrant landscapes transformed into a deer’s buffet overnight.

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Tender shoots, delicate flowers, and carefully nurtured plants can be gone in a flash, leaving your hard work in ruins.

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If deer are turning your gardening dreams into a nightmare, it’s time for a new approach: growing deer-resistant plants.

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Believe me! By choosing flowers and shrubs that deer naturally avoid, you can enjoy a thriving garden without constant worry.

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Daffodils (Narcissus)

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Native Region: Europe, North Africa, and West Asia
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Daffodils own bright, trumpet-shaped flowers with yellow, white, and even orange. These perennial flowers typically grow to about 1-2 feet tall, with slender, strap-like foliage.

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Deer tend to avoid daffodils because the bulbs, leaves, and flowers contain toxic alkaloids that are unpalatable and potentially harmful to them.

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To grow daffodils successfully, plant the bulbs in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. They are quite low-maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. 

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Simply water them during dry spells and remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Daffodils are perfect for borders, rock gardens, and naturalizing in lawns or wooded areas.

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Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica)

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  • Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub
  • Sun Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Acidic, well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8
  • Native Region: Japan, Taiwan, and Eastern China
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Japanese pieris grows up to 9-12 feet tall, features glossy, dark green leaves and produces stunning clusters of bell-shaped white or pink flowers in early spring.

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This shrub contains toxic compounds that deter deer. Deer tend to avoid Japanese Pieris, leaving its foliage and flowers untouched.

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To cultivate Japanese pieris, plant it in a location with partial shade and acidic, well-drained soil. It thrives with minimal care and needs regular watering during dry spells.

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Japanese Pieris is perfect for foundation plantings, borders, and woodland gardens, providing structure and seasonal interest. 

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Barberry

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  • Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
  • Native Region: Temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America
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Typically growing 3-6 feet tall, barberry features small, oval leaves that range from green to deep red. In spring, it produces tiny yellow flowers followed by bright red berries in the fall.

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The shrub’s sharp thorns and bitter-tasting foliage make it highly unappealing to deer. 

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This natural defense mechanism ensures that barberry remains largely untouched, even in areas with high deer activity.

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When growing barberry, remember to regular pruning to maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth. Barberry is excellent for hedges, borders, and as a standalone accent plant.

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Forsythia

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  • Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8
  • Native Region: Eastern Asia
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Forsythia grows up to 10 feet tall and wide with an arching growth habit. Its bright green leaves appear after the flowers providing lush foliage throughout the summer.

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One of the key reasons forsythia is deer-resistant is its robust growth and slightly bitter foliage, which deer tend to avoid.

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It’s a hardy plant that thrives with minimal care. You only need to water during dry spells and annually prune. Forsythia is perfect for hedges, borders, or as a striking standalone shrub.

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Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Native Region: Asia (China, Korea, Japan)
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Bleeding heart grows up to 3 feet tall and wide giving delicate, fern-like green foliage and heart-shaped pink or white flowers gracefully hanging from arching stems. 

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Bleeding hearts can be deer-resistant due to its naturally occurring toxic compounds, such as isoquinoline alkaloids to make the plant unpalatable and potentially harmful to deer.

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This plant loves cooler climates and needs regular watering, especially during dry spells. After blooming, allow the foliage to die back naturally to nourish the plant for the next season.

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Bleeding heart is perfect for shaded borders, woodland gardens, and as a companion in mixed beds. Keep in mind that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested by humans or pets. 

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Tickseed (Coreopsis)

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Native Region: North and South America
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Coreopsis boast sunny yellow, pink, or red blooms from early summer to fall. They can grow up to 1-2 feet tall complemented by their fine, fern-like foliage.

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Coreopsis is highly deer-resistant due to its bitter-tasting foliage and rough texture, which deer find unappealing. 

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When growing tickseed, deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and maintain a tidy appearance. Coreopsis is great for wildflower gardens, and as a companion plant in mixed beds.

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Astilbe

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, rich soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
  • Native Region: Asia and North America
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Astilbe brings lush, feathery plumes of flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and purple rising above attractive, fern-like foliage.

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The rough texture and fibrous nature of the leaves are deterrents to deer, so they are unpalatable to deer.

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Astilbe is perfect for shaded borders, woodland gardens, and alongside water features. You can add mulching to help retain soil moisture and keep roots cool.

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Baptisia (Baptisia australis)

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Native Region: Central and Eastern North America
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Baptisia can grow up to 3-4 feet tall and wide, featuring tall spikes of indigo-blue, pea-like flowers in late spring to early summer. 

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One of the reasons baptisia is deer-resistant is due to its tough, bitter-tasting foliage and stems, which deer find unappealing. 

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Additionally, Baptisia contains toxic compounds such as alkaloids that can cause digestive discomfort if ingested by deer.

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It is a low-maintenance plant that is drought-tolerant once established. Baptisia is ideal for borders, native plant gardens, and prairie-style landscapes.

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Columbine (Aquilegia)

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Native Region: North America, Europe, and Asia
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Columbine has unique, spurred flowers in many colors including blue, purple, red, pink, and yellow together ưith fern-like foliage.

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Columbine is deer-resistant because it contains toxic compounds such as cyanogenic glycosides, which can cause discomfort and digestive issues for deer if ingested. 

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This plant thrives with minimal care, requiring regular watering during dry spells. You only need to deadhead spent flowers to maintain a neat appearance. 

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It is also perfect for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and rock gardens, adding a touch of elegance and color.

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Salvia

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
  • Native Region: Central and South America, Asia, and the Mediterranean
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Salvia  typically grows 1-4 feet tall with its tall spikes of tubular flowers. Depending on the variety, these blooms can be blue, purple, red, pink, or white, rising above fragrant, grey-green foliage.

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Salvia is deer-resistant due to its pungent scent and spiky texture, which deer find unappealing. The plant's aromatic oils and rough foliage deter deer from browsing.

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Additionally, it contains compounds such as essential oils and saponins that can be toxic and irritating to deer, further discouraging them.

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While this plant is non-toxic to humans and pets, its fragrant foliage can enhance culinary dishes and add medicinal value. 

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Lavender (Lavandula)

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Herb
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
  • Native Region: Mediterranean
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Lavender typically grows 1-3 feet tall with fragrant purple, blue, or sometimes white flower spikes and silvery-green foliage.

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One of the main reasons lavender is deer-resistant is its strong, pungent scent. The plant's high essential oil content acts as a natural repellent. 

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Additionally, lavender contains compounds such as linalool and camphor that are toxic to deer, causing them to avoid the plant entirely.

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Besides beauty, its fragrant flowers can be dried for sachets, used in cooking, or turned into essential oils for aromatherapy. 

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Russian Sage (Salvia yangii )

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Shrub
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
  • Native Region: Central Asia
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Russian Sage often grows 3-5 feet tall with tall, wiry stems and clouds of small, lavender-blue flowers. 

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This plant has highly aromatic foliage and tall, wiry stems and rough texture deter deer. Also, it contains volatile oils that are unpalatable to deer.

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Russian Sage is perfect for borders, cottage gardens, and as a companion to other sun-loving perennials. Beyond its ornamental value, it attracts bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden's ecosystem. 

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Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Native Region: Northern Hemisphere
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Yarrow gets 1-3 feet tall with clusters of tiny colorful flowers together with feathery, fern-like foliage that adds a delicate texture to garden beds and borders.

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Yarrow has aromatic foliage and bitter taste, which deer find unpalatable. It also contains alkaloids and other compounds that are toxic to deer, causing digestive discomfort if ingested. 

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Beyond its beauty, Yarrow has medicinal uses and can be used in herbal remedies for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. 

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Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Herb
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
  • Native Region: Turkey, Armenia, Iran
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Growing to about 12-18 inches tall and wide, lamb's ear produces small, pink to purple flower spikes in late spring to early summer.

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This plant owns woolly, thick foliage, which deer find unpalatable and difficult to digest. Its texture and mild aroma act as natural deterrents, ensuring it remains untouched by deer.

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This low-maintenance plant is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal care. It’s perfect for edging, ground cover, or as an accent in borders and rock gardens.

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Peony

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained, fertile soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
  • Native Region: Asia, Europe, and Western North America
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Peonies can grow 2-4 feet tall and feature glossy, deep green foliage. They bloom large and fragrant flowers that come in many colors including pink, white, red, and yellow.

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Deer find peonies unappealing due to their bitter taste and tough, fibrous texture. Additionally, they contain compounds that can be mildly toxic to deer, causing digestive discomfort if ingested.

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Peonies benefit from a yearly application of compost and making stake. They are perfect for borders, garden beds, and as cut flowers due to their long-lasting beauty.

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Coneflower (Echinacea) 

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Native Region: North America
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Coneflowers grow 2-4 feet tall and have sturdy, dark green foliage together with daisy-like blooms.

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These flowers are deer-resistant due to their rough, hairy stems and leaves. They also contain compounds that can cause mild digestive discomfort if ingested.

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Coneflowers are ideal for borders, wildflower gardens, and pollinator gardens, attracting bees, butterflies, and birds.

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Beyond their ornamental value, coneflowers have medicinal uses and are commonly used in herbal remedies to boost the immune system. 

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Bee Balm (Monarda)

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Flower
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
  • Native Region: North America
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Bee Balm is known for its showy, tubular flowers and aromatic, lance-shaped green leaves.

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This flower is deer-resistant thanks to its strong aroma and slightly bitter taste. Alos, its essential oils contain thymol and carvacrol causing mild digestive discomfort in deer if ingested.

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This plant thrives with minimal care, although regular watering during dry spells and occasional deadheading can encourage more blooms. 

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Boxwood (Buxus)

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  • Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
  • Native Region: Europe, Asia, Africa, and Central America
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Boxwood is renowned for its dense, lush foliage and versatility in garden design. Typically growing 2-8 feet tall, it features small, glossy, dark green leaves that maintain their color year-round. 

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This plant owns thick, leathery leaves and aroma, which deer find unappealing. Additionally, it contains alkaloids causing digestive discomfort if ingested by deer.

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Boxwood is perfect for hedges, borders, topiary, and foundation plantings, offering structure and evergreen beauty to your garden.

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It has been used historically for its wood in fine woodworking due to its density and smooth grain. 

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Catmint (Nepeta)

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Herb
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
  • Native Region: Europe, Asia
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Typically growing 1-3 feet tall and wide, Catmint boasts soft, grey-green leaves and lavender-blue flowers that appear from late spring to early fall.

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This plant is deer-resistant due to its strong scent and slightly bitter taste. Its essential oils, such as nepetalactone, can act as a mild deterrent causing digestive discomfort if ingested by deer.

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To grow catmint successfully, you should plant it in a sunny location with well-drained soil. It is also perfect for borders, herb gardens, and rock gardens.

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Sedum

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  • Plant Type: Perennial Succulent
  • Sun Exposure: Full Sun
  • Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-10
  • Native Region: Northern Hemisphere, primarily Europe and Asia
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Sedum features fleshy, water-storing leaves in shades of green, blue, purple, and variegated patterns. 

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Its star-shaped flowers bloom in clusters, ranging in color from white and yellow to pink and red, adding vibrant splashes of color from late summer to fall.

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Sedum is deer-resistant due to its thick, waxy leaves and bitter taste. Its succulence makes it less appealing to deer, as they prefer more tender foliage. 

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You can grow sedum successfully in sandy or rocky soil. It is exceptionally drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, requiring minimal watering.

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Beyond its beauty and resilience, sedum is often used in green roofing and living walls due to its hardiness and ability to thrive in shallow soil. 

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