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Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Zone 7
Introduction
If you live in zone 7 and want to keep deer away from your plants, choosing deer-resistant shrubs is essential. Deer are attracted to tender new growth and sweet-smelling flowers, but they tend to avoid thorny plants and plants with strong, unpleasant odors.
What Are Deer-Resistant Shrubs?
Deer-resistant shrubs are plants that deer are less likely to eat. No plant is 100% deer-proof, but some are more resistant than others.
Factors that Affect Deer Resistance
Several factors can affect a plant’s deer resistance, including:
- Tenderness of new growth: Deer prefer soft, new growth.
- Sweetness of flowers: Deer are attracted to sweet-smelling flowers.
- Presence of thorns or spines: Deer avoid plants with sharp thorns or spines.
- Strong odors: Deer dislike plants with strong, unpleasant odors.
List of Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Zone 7
Here is a list of deer-resistant shrubs that are well-suited for zone 7:
- Abelia: Abelias are evergreen shrubs with glossy leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers.
- Banana Shrub: Banana shrubs are deciduous shrubs with large, banana-shaped leaves.
- Barberry: Barberries are deciduous shrubs with spiny stems and clusters of red or purple berries.
- Beautyberry: Beautyberries are deciduous shrubs with arching stems and clusters of purple berries.
- Boxwood: Boxwoods are evergreen shrubs with small, glossy leaves.
- Bottlebrush: Bottlebrush shrubs are evergreen shrubs with cylindrical flower spikes that resemble bottle brushes.
- Butterfly Bush: Butterfly bushes are deciduous shrubs with long, arching stems and clusters of purple or pink flowers.
- Caryopteris: Caryopteris is a deciduous shrub with aromatic leaves and clusters of blue flowers.
- Cotoneaster: Cotoneasters are evergreen or deciduous shrubs with small leaves and clusters of red or black berries.
- Daphne: Daphnes are evergreen shrubs with fragrant flowers and glossy leaves.
- Deutzia: Deutzias are deciduous shrubs with arching stems and clusters of white or pink flowers.
- Drooping Fetterbush: Drooping fetterbush is a deciduous shrub with drooping branches and clusters of white flowers.
- Forsythia: Forsythias are deciduous shrubs with bright yellow flowers that bloom in early spring.
- Fothergilla: Fothergillas are deciduous shrubs with fragrant flowers and showy fall foliage.
- Holly: Hollies are evergreen shrubs with glossy leaves and red berries.
- Japanese Andromeda: Japanese andromeda is an evergreen shrub with small, glossy leaves and clusters of white flowers.
- Japanese Privet: Japanese privet is an evergreen shrub with small, glossy leaves.
- Juniper: Junipers are evergreen shrubs with needle-like leaves and blue or green berries.
- Kerria: Kerrias are deciduous shrubs with bright yellow flowers that bloom in early spring.
- Lilac: Lilacs are deciduous shrubs with fragrant flowers and heart-shaped leaves.
- Mahonia: Mahonias are evergreen shrubs with holly-like leaves and clusters of yellow flowers.
- Mugo Pine: Mugo pines are evergreen shrubs with short, dense branches and dark green needles.
- Pepperbush Clethra: Pepperbush clethra is a deciduous shrub with fragrant flowers and showy fall foliage.
- Pomegranate: Pomegranates are deciduous shrubs with glossy leaves and red, edible fruits.
- Pyracantha Firethorn: Pyracantha firethorns are evergreen shrubs with thorny branches and clusters of red or orange berries.
- Quince: Quinces are deciduous shrubs with large, showy flowers and edible fruits.
- Staghorn Sumac: Staghorn sumacs are deciduous shrubs with large, fern-like leaves and clusters of red berries.
- Tea Olive: Tea olives are evergreen shrubs with fragrant flowers and glossy leaves.
- Viburnum: Viburnums are deciduous or evergreen shrubs with clusters of white or pink flowers and berries.
- Wax Myrtle: Wax myrtles are evergreen shrubs with aromatic leaves and blue or black berries.
- Weigela: Weigelas are deciduous shrubs with showy flowers and variegated leaves.
- Winter Jasmine: Winter jasmines are deciduous shrubs with fragrant yellow flowers that bloom in winter.
- Witch Hazel: Witch hazels are deciduous shrubs with fragrant flowers and showy fall foliage.
- Yew: Yews are evergreen shrubs with needle-like leaves and red berries.
- Yucca: Yuccas are evergreen shrubs with sword-shaped leaves and clusters of white or yellow flowers.
Additional Tips for Deer-Proofing Your Yard
In addition to planting deer-resistant shrubs, there are other things you can do to keep deer away from your yard, such as:
- Use deer repellent sprays: Deer repellent sprays can help deter deer from eating your plants.
- Plant sacrificial plants: Planting sacrificial plants, such as hostas or daylilies, can help keep deer away from your more valuable plants.
- Install fencing: Fencing is a physical barrier that can help keep deer out of your yard.
By following these tips, you can create a beautiful and deer-resistant landscape.
