Deer Resistant Plants

Rich purplish-pink, ruffly edged, nearly 3" wide flowers with a deep red-purple blotch and darker flecking are produced in midspring and are held against a foil of medium to coarse-textured foliage with the flowers attracting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and curious passersby. Michaele Lux Evergreen Azalea is an unusual and uncommon Aromi hybrid that develops into a small to medium-sized, densely branched shrub. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Images courtesy of Maarten Van der Giessen, Van der Giessens Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 12573

Small, single to semi-double, red to red-burgundy flowers centered by a large boss of contrasting yellow stamens are produced early in the season, October to November, and the pollen laden flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Midnight Lover Sasanqua Camellia is a moderate to vigorous growing, large evergreen shrub with medium-textured, deep green, glossy foliage and reliable zone 7 cold hardiness. Its vigor lends it to use as a screen, hedge, or specimen plant. The Sasanqua Camellias are much more tolerant of growing conditions than standard Japonica Camellias and can tolerate less than perfect soils and full sun to light shade conditions. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13235

The deep maroon foliage provides a contrasting foil for the ball-like clusters of 2" long, tubular light pink flowers whose nectar and pollen attract a variety of pollinators like hummingbirds, larger butterflies, and long-tongued bees. Midnight Oil Eastern Beebalm, a selection of Monarda bradburiana, is a many stemmed, clump-forming to slowly spreading, upright growing, native, herbaceous perennial selected for its unique, dark and mysterious foliage. This species is noted for its earlier flowering, excellent disease resistance, a naturally shorter 18-24" high habit, drought resistance as compared to other species of Monarda, and tolerance for thinner, poorer, and/or gravelly soils. Plants may lose foliage when drought stressed so average moisture is generally preferred under garden conditions. Provide a full to mostly sunny to partially shaded site in well-drained, average moist soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Brent Horvath, Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13167

The 2-3" wide pure white frilly double flowers nearly glow against a backdrop of glossy dark green medium textured foliage over an extended period in fall and early winter. Mine-No-Yuki Sasanqua Camellia is an heirloom medium to large evergreen shrub with a vigorous upright to spreading habit. As with many old favorites this one has garnered a few extra cultivar names which include: Snow on the Mountain, White Doves, and Snow on the Ridge. Sasanqua Camellias make excellent fall and early winter flowering hedges, screens, or specimen plants for the garden and landscape. Image courtesy of Bobby Green and Green Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 10393

Spikes of deep dark red two-lipped tubular flowers are produced from spring to fall atop this dwarf densely branching perennial Salvia. A 5-star performer in Salvia trials at the Chicago Botanic Gardens! Mirage™ Cherry Red Salvia, a form of Autumn Sage or Salvia greggii, was selected for its heat and cold tolerance, and exceptional flower power. Its dwarf and compact habit is perfectly suited for use as a low maintenance and forgiving container specimen as well as in hot and sunny garden and landscape settings. The dark colored flowers are sure to attract low flying hummingbirds as well as the occassional butterfly and larger bees with its nectar rich flowers. Provide a well-drained soil in full to mostly sunny conditions and never keep soggy wet. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, all rights reserved. Item# 12204

Spikes of deep rose tubular buds open to display starkly contrasting near white lower petals creating a bright two-tone effect and are produced from spring to fall atop this densely branching perennial Salvia with excellent flower power. The top performer in trials at Welby Flower Trials in 2020! Mirage™ Rose Bicolor Salvia, a form of Autumn Sage or Salvia greggii, was selected for its heat and cold tolerance, and exceptional flower power. Its vigorous well-branched semi-compact habit is perfectly suited for use as a low maintenance and forgiving container specimen as well as in hot and sunny garden and landscape settings. The two-toned flowers are sure to attract low flying hummingbirds as well as the occassional butterfly and larger bees with its nectar rich flowers. Provide a well-drained soil in full to mostly sunny conditions and never keep soggy wet. Images courtesy of Darwin Perennials, all rights reserved. Item# 12423

The pure white, medium-sized, rose or perfect form flowers have each petal neatly spirally arranged and are produced in midseason or Dec-February. Miss Biloxi Camellia has a moderate rate of growth, with a dense habit that is initially upright and eventually becoming rounded with age. Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and a deep organic mulch. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13006

Ooh la la! The medium to large, semi-double, deep red flowers are heavily marbled with starkly contrasting white and are centered by contrasting golden stamens with flowering occurring over an extended period from mid to late season, January to April. The pollen laden flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Miss Charleston Variegated Camellia is a highly sought after, large flowered Japonica with a moderate rate of growth and a densely branching habit maturing into an upright and rounded, large evergreen shrub. Provide Camellias with a fertile soil rich in organic matter, with average moisture, and an organic mulch. While this image shows a flower that is mostly white, the flowers of Miss Charleston Variegated are typically more red than white. Images courtesy of Cam Too Camellia Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13237

One of the hardiest Lantana on the market, Miss Huff thumbs her nose at cold weather all the way to zone 7! A wonderfully free flowering Lantana whose clusters of flowers open yellow, fade to orange, coral, and finally near pink and are born from summer to frost. An excellent choice for butterflies! Miss Huff Lantana comes highly recommended by Texas horticulturist and plantsman Greg Grant and is also a 2003 Georgia Gold Medal winner. Item# 9727.

As well mannered in the garden as it name implies Miss Manners Physostegia stays in a tidy clump. In summer it produces dense spikes of tubular white flowers atop sturdy stems that attract a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds. This is a hardy, perennial that is native to the eastern half of North America and prefers moist to wet soils but performs well with average moisture. Image courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 11094

The large minty green elephant-ear shaped foliage is flecked, spotted, streaked and randomly splashed with dark purple to black creating a very cool tropical eye-catching effect. The Mojito Elephant Ear is a rhizomatous tropical perennial in zones 8-10 but is vigorous enough to enjoy as a summer annual in northerly climates. Elephant Ears can be grown in moist to wet fertile soils and can be lightly submerged in water gardens as well as in medium to large containers. Colocasias can be invasive in warm southern climates please plant and dispose of plant parts responsibly. Provide a deep mulch where winters experience hard freezes to promote larger foliage the following season. This variety is  colocasias.  Item# 12177

Huge, deep orange-red tubular flowers open from dark tinged calyxes and 8-12" long spikes in summer and fall, when grown as a perennial, to potentially year round under warm tropical conditions attracting hummingbirds for miles! Mole Poblano Mexican Chocolate Scarlet Sage, a selection of Salvia gesneriflora, is more compact and flowers much longer than its parent growing to about 6-7' high and wide. This giant growing Salvia, the species is reported to grow over 20' high, is a shade tolerant, herbaceous to shrub-like tender perennial Salvia that is adorned with fragrant, large heart-shaped, fuzzy, quilted foliage and is anecdotally root hardy into zone 8A. Its only real drawback is that it should be grown in a sheltered area protected from strong winds and heavy rains as the stems are subject to breakage. It can be pruned to help keep the plant shorter, stronger, and fuller. Provide Mole Poblano Salvia with a moist to average moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Item# 12583

Clusters of deep red to red-orange flowers are each centered by contrasting orange to gold coronas but the most interesting thing about this cultivar is that is cloaked in beautifully variegated cream, pink, and green narrow foliage. Monarch Promise Butterflyweed, a selection of Asclepias curassavica, is an upright growing to vase-shaped, naturally evergreen, herbaceous tropical that flowers from spring to fall. It is sure to make for a colorful addition to containers as well as in the garden and landscape. In areas where freezes occur, like zone 8B, Butterfly Milkweed plants may freeze to the ground and generally return from the roots in spring but we cannot vouch for this specific cultivar's reliability as a die-back perennial. Caterpillar host: Queen and Monarch. Item# 12088

Large dense fragrant flower spikes to 12" long are composed of many hundreds of small orange-eyed flowers that open lavender and deepen to dark violet and indigo and are held atop a compact mound of blue-green foliage. The honey-mead like scented, nectar rich flowers of MONARCH® Blue Knight Butterfly Bush or Buddleia are adored by a host of pollinators and garden beneficials including butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and more! Provide a full to mostly sunny location in well-drained average moist soils for optimum health and flowering. This Walter's Gardens introduction and is part of the MONARCH® Butterfly Bush series that have been selected for rich colors, excellent flower power, and a midsize habit. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 11694

Spikes of deep royal purple fragrant flowers are held at the ends of sturdy stems against a backdrop of soft gray-green foliage from summer to fall. MONARCH® Dark Dynasty Butterfly Bush is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub with a densely branching compact habit that mature to about 3'H x 3-4'W. The fragrant dark flowers attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other garden beneficals with their nectar rich flowers.This Walter's Gardens introduction is part of the MONARCH® Butterfly Bush series that have been selected for rich colors, excellent flower power, and a midsize habit. Provide a well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12061

The 7-12" long conical panicles are composed of numerous fragrant icy periwinkle blue flowers that attract pollinators of all shapes and sizes throughout summer and into fall. MONARCH® Glass Slippers Butterfly Bush is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub with gray-green foliage and a densely branching compact, mounding habit that matures to about 3'H x 4-5'W. The nectar rich flowers attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other garden beneficals. Provide a well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12836

Large conical clusters of deep cerise red, to 10" long, composed of tiny fragrant nectar rich flowers sit atop the sturdy stems of this well-branched Butterfly Bush from summer through fall are held against softly contrasting a backdrop of gray green foliage. Prince Charming Buddleia is a vigorous hybrid and a 2018 Walter's Gardens introduction that is part of the MONARCH® Butterfly Bush series that have been selected for rich colors, excellent flower power, and a midsize habit. The flowers attract loads of butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Sterile Variety.  Item# 11783

The 6-8" long conical panicles are composed of numerous fragrant showy medium pink flowers that attract pollinators of all shapes and sizes throughout summer and into fall. MONARCH® Princess Pink Butterfly Bush is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub with medium green foliage and a densely branching, moderately vigorous habit that matures to about 5'H x 5-6'W. The nectar rich flowers attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other garden beneficals. Provide a well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12837

The 7-9" long conical panicles are composed of numerous fragrant magenta flowers that attract pollinators of all shapes and sizes throughout summer and into fall. MONARCH® Queen of Hearts Butterfly Bush is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub with a densely branching compact habit that matures to about 3'H x 3-4'W. The fragrant dark reddish-pink flowers attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other garden beneficals. This Walter's Gardens introduction is part of the MONARCH® Butterfly Bush series that have been selected for rich colors, excellent flower power, and a midsize habit. Provide a well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12062

In spring to early summer clusters of rich rosy pink flowers are produced atop 18-24" high sturdy stems providing a feast for butterflies and hummingbirds. Morris Berd Smooth Phlox, a highly disease resistant selection of Phlox glaberrima or P. carolina depending on the source, is a clump-forming, slowly spreading rhizomatous native perennial that readily develops into a dense groundcovering mass of foliage and stems. This sunloving perennial is decidous in the colder portions of its range but may remain evergreen with purplish winter foliage in warmer winter regions. This easy to grow Phlox has proven to be highly resistant to powdery mildew and was in the top four in trials both at Mt. Cuba Center and the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Provide Morris Berd Phlox with a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, fertile, well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12318

Large soft salmon pink trumpets to 10" long and flaring to 5-6" wide with recurving petals are born in loose clusters from late spring to fall on this popular large tropical shrub. Angel's Trumpets are excellent container or garden plants that are root hardy perennials in the cooler portions of their range. Easily overwintered indoors outside of their hardiness range. Item# 9567.