Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - January 23, 2008

From: Dammeron Valley, UT
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Deer Resistant, Cacti and Succulents, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Plants that are deer resistant for high desert climate in Utah
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

We are building in a high desert climate in Dammeron Valley, Utah. We want plants that are both deer resistant and require little watering. Can you advise which plants (shrubs, flowers, cacti) that would be good to use?

ANSWER:

This is a tough assignment you have given Mr. Smarty Plants—deer-resistant, high desert plants. Cactus are ideal, of course, and we do have other suggestions for shrubs/small trees and herbaceous plants. Be aware that, except for the cactus, the other plants listed may be browsed by deer when conditions are tough. They are deer-resistant, not deer-proof.

CACTUS

Ferocactus cylindraceus (California barrel cactus)

Echinocereus triglochidiatus (kingcup cactus)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail pricklypear)

Opuntia phaeacantha (tulip pricklypear)

Opuntia polyacantha (plains pricklypear)

YUCCA

Yucca baccata (banana yucca)

SHRUBS/TREES

Rhus trilobata (skunkbush)

Larrea tridentata (creosote bush)

Lycium andersonii (water jacket) (and a photograph of L. andersonii)

Juniperus osteosperma (Utah juniper) (and photos of J. osteosperma)

HERBACEOUS

Verbena bracteata (bigbract verbena)

Tetraneuris acaulis (stemless four-nerve daisy)

Penstemon palmeri (Palmer's penstemon)

Oenothera caespitosa (fragrant evening primrose)

Monardella odoratissima (mountain monardella)

 

From the Image Gallery


California barrel cactus
Ferocactus cylindraceus

Claret cup
Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Beavertail prickly pear
Opuntia basilaris

Tulip prickly pear
Opuntia phaeacantha

Plains prickly pear
Opuntia polyacantha

Banana yucca
Yucca baccata

Creosote bush
Larrea tridentata

Stemless four-nerve daisy
Tetraneuris acaulis var. acaulis

Palmer's penstemon
Penstemon palmeri

Tufted evening primrose
Oenothera caespitosa

Mountain monardella
Monardella odoratissima

More Deer Resistant Questions

Deer-resistant groundcover under pine trees
June 07, 2008 - what kind of ground covering can be planted under pine trees (acid soil) that the deer will not eat and will not attract bees?
view the full question and answer

Deer proof ground cover for sunny area in Mississippi
June 09, 2012 - I am looking for a low ground cover that will thrive in a sunny location and is deer proof
view the full question and answer

Resourses that are being taken away - Tiffin OH
April 03, 2013 - What are resources that are being taken away from humans and organisms?
view the full question and answer

Lily plants being chewed from Austin
June 20, 2013 - Something is chewing my lily plants to the ground. Any ideas what and do I stop them?
view the full question and answer

Critter-Proof Native Plants for Virginia Lawn
April 02, 2015 - We live in a gated community that was part of the Wilderness Battlefield during the Civil War. Our home is on a narrow lot, fully treed except for a postage stamp-sized lawn at lake side. We have de...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.