David Burton / Getty Images
It’s pretty exciting seeing timid deer come by your property.
But that delight can turn to disappointment if they start nibbling on your carefully cultivated plants.
Thankfully, there are lots of easy-to-grow deer-resistantannualsto provide a fast-growing, long-blooming pop of color.
David Burton / Getty Images
While no plants are definitively deer-proof, many are much more deer-resistant than others.
Check out this list of carefully curated, popular deer-resistant annuals that experts rate as rarely damaged by deer.
Deer won’t graze on these hardy annuals or short-lived perennials, which form a ground-hugging carpet of blooms.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Flowering in spring, the blooms fade in summer and reappear in fall.
And, providing they get enough sun and moisture, theseeasy outdoor plantsthrive with little to no maintenance.
These plants bloom from mid-summer into the cooler fall temperatures, providing you deadhead spent flowers.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Theireasy-growing wildflowersreseed rapidly, so you should have a beautiful new cluster of cornflowers yearly.
California Poppy
TheCalifornia poppyis a strikingorange flowerthat grows as a perennial in its native zone.
It makes for a pretty annual that happily reseeds in cooler regions.
Elvira Laskowski / Getty Images
Impervious to grazing deer, these plants need plenty of sun and loose, well-draining soil to thrive.
Pick a sunny spot to appreciate the blooms of this fast-growing plant from early summer to fall.
Just keep it away from your four-legged friends; annual vinca is toxic to people and pets.
Penpak Ngamsathain / Getty Images
Pinch back young plants to prevent leggy growth and deadhead to encourage more blooms.
Other than that, offer a rich, well-draining soil and enjoy.
A sunny spot and regular watering will see your snapdragons thrive.
Westend61 / Getty Images
Spider Flower
Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images
Looking forannual flowers to grow in dry shade?
Look no further than deer-resistantspider flowers.
You don’t have to stake this statuesque species when grown in a sunny spot.
aimintang / Getty Images
In a partial shade location, it might need some extra support.
Starflower
naturaltexture / Getty Images
Starflowersmake for greatcompanion plantsto grow alongside tomatoes.
They aren’t just deer-resistant; they’replants that repel the insecttomato hornworm, which can decimate your tomato harvest.
Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images
And their vivid blue blooms and fresh cucumber-like fragrance are a welcome addition to any landscape.
Grow in a sunny spot to promote abundant blooming throughout summer and strong stems.
These plants are toxic to people and pets.
naturaltexture / Getty Images
Dill
Cyndi Monaghan / Getty Images
Dillis a fantasticdeer-resistant herbto grow in your yard.
Their preference is for a full sun position with weekly watering.
If you offer this, they have a long bloom period, providing you deadhead spent flowers.
Cyndi Monaghan / Getty Images
Lantana
stockcam / Getty Images
There are many reasons to love thedeer-resistant shrublantana.
With a long summer-to-fall bloom period, these plants are popular with pollinators.
Lobelias are a low-maintenance landscaping option that appreciate rich, well-drained soil and even moisture.
Ravinder Kumar / Getty Images
Stock flower
Debora Truax / Getty Images
Tallstock flowersare a cottage garden favorite.
Low-maintenance stock flowers can grow in full sun or partial shade, and they appreciate rich, well-draining soil.
Verbena
Jobrestful / Getty Images
Verbenasare ideal deer-resistantannuals for growing in full sun.
stockcam / Getty Images
Zinnia
Marcia Straub/ Getty Images
There are many deer-resistant species of easy-growingzinniasto choose from.
No matter what color or size you want, there’s sure to be one that fits your landscape.
Landscape plants rated by deer resistance.New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
Boris SV / Getty Images
Catharanthus roseus.North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
Borago Officinalis.North Carolina State Extension.
Lantana camara.North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
Debora Truax / Getty Images
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Jobrestful / Getty Images
Marcia Straub/ Getty Images
