If you live in Central Florida and are looking for native plants that are deer-resistant, you're in luck. There are a variety of plants that can thrive in the area and keep deer away. Foxglove (Digitalis), milkweed (Asclepias), euphorbias such as Diamond Frost, Poinsettia and Crown of Thorns, oleander (Nerium) and daffodils are all good options. Butterfly herb (milkweed) is a perennial and resistant plant native to North America that produces clusters of orange flowers in summer.
It's also heat- and drought-resistant, so it won't require much maintenance. Even if you give deer a feast, the plants should survive as long as their root systems aren't damaged. The success of any of these plants will depend on local deer populations and weather conditions. If you think deer may be responsible for damage to your plants, look for signs like nibbled leaves or stems. Plants in the Rarely Damaged and Rarely Severely Damaged categories are best for landscapes prone to deer damage. Bear pants are an architectural plant with imposing flower spikes and large, shiny leaves.
Unfortunately, there are few truly deer-resistant plants in Georgia or other southern states. Interestingly, some participants in the study observed that deer seem to prefer fertilized plants over those that haven't been fertilized. Deer typically prefer plants that are severely damaged and should only be planted with additional protection such as fences or repellents. Keep in mind that there are no completely deer-proof plants. While it's difficult to identify truly deer-proof plants, several have been determined to be deer-resistant.
