Top 11 Deer Resistant Privacy Shrubs and Hedges

By Calin Oancea

5/4/20246 min read

Deer-resistant privacy shrubs and hedges can provide both privacy, windbreaking, and nice texture to your garden or green space.

This article highlights the top 11 plants that serve as effective natural barriers, which we also grew in our garden and have experience with. They are also unattractive to deer and make your outdoor space beautiful.

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a tall evergreen privacy hedge that is deer resistant
a tall evergreen privacy hedge that is deer resistant
a deer resistant Inkberry Holly bush in shade
a deer resistant Inkberry Holly bush in shade

Inkberry Holly

Inkberry Holly, with its evergreen foliage and black berries, can reach up to 2-3 m (6-10 ft). It prefers acidic, well-drained soil and full to partial shade. We found that deer often bypass the Inkberry Holly hedge, making it a safe choice for shaded gardens.

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a deer resistant, thorny Cotoneaster bush with red berries
a deer resistant, thorny Cotoneaster bush with red berries

Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster is a great deer strong shrub that can grow up to 1.5-2.5 m (5-8 ft) tall. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. The dense growth habit and attractive berries of Cotoneaster make it an excellent choice for stopping deer from eating your plants.

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a high Bamboo plant with long green leaves
a high Bamboo plant with long green leaves

Bamboo

There are many types of Bamboo but most of them can reach over 10 m (30 ft). Bamboo bushes are ideal for creating natural screens or tall hedges, but keep in mind that the, bigger it gets the harder it is to remove and dig up. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Bamboo is fast-growing and comes in clumping but also running varieties.

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an Osmanthus bush with orange flowers
an Osmanthus bush with orange flowers

Osmanthus

Osmanthus, known for its fragrant flowers, grows to about 2-4 m (6-12 ft). It prefers well-drained soil and full to partial sun. This evergreen is deer resistant and adds a sweet scent to privacy hedges.

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a Deer Resistant privacy hedge called Western Red Cedar
a Deer Resistant privacy hedge called Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar grows up to 15-20 m (50-65 ft) and is an excellent choice for as tall privacy bushes. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and full to partial sun. This evergreen is not only deer resistant but also fast-growing similar to most bamboo varieties, providing quick privacy.

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bushy English Yew evergreen plant stems
bushy English Yew evergreen plant stems

Yew

This type of deer resistant shade shrub and conifer, named Yew, is a high fencing bush for breaking the wind or creating privacy in gardens and green spaces because it has a compact foliage and reaches heights of 10m to 15m (33–49 ft). The evergreen bush is also low maintenance and great for landscaping.

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an evergreen boxwood hedge with small green leaves
an evergreen boxwood hedge with small green leaves

These container shrubs grow between 0,6m and 1,2m (2 and 4 ft) and have a lush, evergreen foliage and dense, rounded form that can keep deer out of a garden. Boxwoods are a classic choice for formal gardens, and their tolerance to pruning makes the bushes a favorite for creating topiary designs and ornamental shrub gardens.

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Boxwood

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a deer resistant privacy bush with berrys called Pyracantha
a deer resistant privacy bush with berrys called Pyracantha

Pyracantha

Pyracantha commonly known as Firethorn, is a robust shrub that can grow up to 3-4 m (10-13 ft). After our experts had grown and inspected the bush, they saw that it features sharp thorns and produces bright red or orange berries. Preferring full sun to partial shade, Pyracantha's dense growth and thorns provide an effective deer-resistant barrier for your garden.

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a leafy Laurel plant indoors
a leafy Laurel plant indoors

Laurel scientifically known as Lauraceae, prefers well-drained soil and full to partial sun. Its glossy leaves and dense growth make it unappealing to deer, offering effective privacy. It can grow up to 5-6 m (16-20 ft) and is ideal for tall privacy screens.

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Laurel

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a deer resistant Viburnum privacy bush
a deer resistant Viburnum privacy bush

Viburnum

Viburnum, varying in height up to 3 m (10 ft), is known for its beautiful flowers and berries. It prefers well-drained soil and full to partial sun. Many viburnum varieties can keep unwanted animals out of your garden because they are deer resistant, providing great value but also and privacy.

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a Blackthorn bush for privacy for deer resistant gardens
a Blackthorn bush for privacy for deer resistant gardens

Blackthorn

This berry bush has dense branching and sharp thorns, Blackthorn is highly effective as a privacy barrier and is generally resistant to deer. The bush that produces blue berries also known as Sloe, can reach heights of 3-4 m (10-13 ft). It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.

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Calin Oancea
Calin Oancea
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Green Box

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Calin is in the garden industry for 5 years now and knows a lot about gardening and plants. He owns this website and responsible for most of the content.