New Deer-Resistant Shrubs to Tempt you (But Not the Deer)

Deer-challenged gardeners have a somewhat reduced plant palette to choose from since the aim is to select plants that the deer will leave alone. Sadly, that means avoiding roses, hydrangeas, mock orange and camellia to name but a few. The good news is that there are still plenty of outstanding shrubs that are not only beautiful but are also considered deer-resistant – and when new varieties are introduced that's a cause for celebration!
Here are my top picks for NEW shrubs that caught my eye, grown by some of the very best in the industry.
Poco Loco Abelia
I am a big fan of abelia. The tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and the foliage is semi-evergreen. The new Poco Loco by Proven Winners is a dwarf, topping out at 2-3 feet tall and wide, so ideal for large containers or smaller garden beds. The foliage emerges bright yellow and orange in spring (ooh….) before settling into a nice shade of green with pink new growth. You know I'm always talking about designing 'foliage first'….. well this is the sort of shrub that is a winner in that regard. Its also really easy care and drought tolerant once established.
Hardy in zones 6-9. Happiest in full sun but partial sun also works fine
Kintzley's Ghost Honeysuckle
Here's another 5 star foliage plant for you, and while it isn't truly a new shrub – Kintzley's Ghost honeysuckle is new in the Proven Winners lineup. I first saw this at a botanical garden while on my travels and was literally drawn to the shimmering silver-blue foliage from across the garden. Totally lust at first sight! I was beyond thrilled when PW sent me a sample plant to trial last fall – and you can be sure it will be moving house with us!
First of all, forget everything you thought you knew about honeysuckle; this is an entirely different species: Lonicera reticulata, which is a native to North America. At a glance the foliage looks like Eucalpytus but this is a deciduous vine that needs a trellis, obelisk or low fence to scramble over. The small, fragrant yellow flowers give way to red berries in fall.
Hardy in zones 4-8, it grows 6 feet or more tall (depending upon the support) and 5 feet wide. Full sun
Estrellita Scarlet Firecracker Bush
I first saw a firecracker bush in Texas – and had immediate zone envy as I can't grow this in Duvall, WA. However, many of you will be able to so thought I'd bring Estrellita Scarlet to your attention. Can't you just imagine the feeding frenzy of hummingbirds on this little shrub?! And it is petite – at just 2 feet tall and wide so I'd love to see this in a glossy black container or edging a pathway. Hardy in zones 8-10
Bloomerang Ballet Lilac
This series of reblooming lilacs has become justifiably popular with today's gardeners. The new Bloomerang Ballet provides frilly pink flowers in spring with the classic lilac fragrance, takes a breather for summer then starts all over again for fall. It is said to be the strongest rebloomer to date and has also been noted for disease resistance – yay for improved genetics!
Hardy in zones 3-7 this variety grows in full sun to reach 4 feet tall and wide. Remember to give lilac space – they do best with good air circulation.
Rock Steady Chastetree
I'm a relatively new convert to the chastetree genus (Vitex spp.) and really only got to know them when I started looking for deer-resistant shrubs. They are slow to emerge in spring (in my zone 6b garden – which officially is zone 7, but the reality is quite different) and they die to the ground each winter. They bloom late in the season for me yet are really tough, drought tolerant, ignored by deer and rabbits and introduce some much needed late season color.
Rock Steady, a new introduction from Proven Winners, is a giant among the offerings at 12 feet tall and 5 feet wide BUT that is only if it doesn't die to the crown in winter like mine do. Here I'd expect maybe 5 feet in height by summers end. Regardless, this is a shrub worth knowing about if your hardiness range is 5-9.
Love it but too big for you? Take a look at Violet Mist by First Editions instead. This beauty is only 3-4 feet tall and wide.
Both need full sun
Big Beauty Gardenia
If you're looking for blow-your-socks off perfume, look no further. At 6-7 feet tall and wide Big Beauty gardenia, a new introduction for 2025 from First Editions delivers drama and fragrance in the larger landscape. Best in full sun (or part shade in warmer climates) and hardy in zones 7-9.
Mauve Marble Hebe
If your growing zone is 7-11, take a look at this new hebe, Mauve Marble, from our friends at Bloomin' Easy. I love the dusky hue on the underside of the foliage – it really sets off the lavender-blue flowers perfectly. At just 2-3 feet tall and wide this is ideal in a container or at the front of the landscape border where it will bloom all summer long.
Regarding deer-resistance, hebe are not include on the Rutger's list but from my experience I'd put it at the same level as spirea i.e. 'seldom severely damaged'. In my garden, hebe were totally ignored for several years, then munched hard on year 4. My hebe was, however, adjacent to the preferred deer route through my garden at the time, so perhaps a better placement might have saved it? Something to consider.
All hebe thrive in full sun and well drained soil.
Yuki Kabuki Deutzia
If you crave spring flowers, deutzia should have a spot in your garden and Yuki Kabuki is worthy of consideration. With masses of spring blooms and burgundy fall color it offers two solid seasons of color- but intersperse it with other summer interest shrubs or perennials for best effect. Otherwise, it earns its keep being easy care – no pruning needed to stay at a tidy 3-4 feet mound and is equally happy in sun or part shade. Hardy in zones 5-8
In case you missed it, enjoy my Top 10 deer-resistant perennials that are new for 2025.
Subscribe to Receive Blog Posts
Gardening inspiration delivered right to your inbox from Le Jardinet