Fall in Pennsylvania brings vibrant colors but also hungry deer looking for a feast in your garden. As a longtime Pennsylvania gardener, I’ve learned which plants can withstand deer pressure while still providing stunning autumn displays. The right combination of deer-resistant plants can transform your yard into a colorful sanctuary that both you and local wildlife (except deer!) can enjoy.
Pennsylvania’s climate offers perfect conditions for these resilient beauties to show off their fall finery without becoming deer dinner. After losing countless plants to our four-legged visitors over the years, I’ve compiled this list of tried-and-true options that add seasonal interest without attracting unwanted browsing.
1. American Cranberry Bush
White spring flowers give way to brilliant red berries and foliage that turns scarlet-orange in fall. Pennsylvania gardeners appreciate this native viburnum for its year-round interest.
Deer typically avoid this bush due to its slightly fuzzy leaves and strong scent. In my western Pennsylvania garden, I’ve planted several along my property line where deer frequently travel, and they remain untouched year after year.
Grows best in moist, well-drained soil with partial to full sun. The berries persist through winter, providing food for birds when other sources become scarce.
2. Redtwig Dogwood
Nothing brightens a Pennsylvania winter landscape like the fiery stems of redtwig dogwood. The fall display begins with purple-red leaves before they drop to reveal those signature crimson branches.
My favorite spot for these shrubs is near my kitchen window. The deer haven’t bothered them once in eight years, even during harsh winters when food becomes scarce.
Plant in groups for maximum visual impact. These adaptable shrubs thrive in both sunny spots and partial shade, handling Pennsylvania’s clay soils better than most ornamentals.
3. Witch Hazel
Fall-blooming witch hazel offers a unique combination of spidery yellow flowers and golden foliage when most Pennsylvania gardens are winding down for winter. The fragrant blooms appear just as leaves change color.
Deer consistently pass by my witch hazel, likely deterred by the aromatic compounds in its bark and leaves. Even young plants remain untouched during browse-heavy months.
Native varieties like Hamamelis virginiana are especially well-adapted to Pennsylvania’s climate and soil conditions. Give them partial shade and consistent moisture for the best fall show.
4. Russian Sage
Lavender-blue flower spikes persist well into fall against silvery foliage, creating a soft, hazy purple effect in the autumn garden. The aromatic leaves keep deer at bay even in heavily browsed Pennsylvania neighborhoods.
Last year, during a particularly dry fall, my Russian sage continued blooming while neighbors’ gardens suffered from both drought and deer damage. Its drought tolerance makes it perfect for Pennsylvania’s unpredictable autumn weather.
Pair with ornamental grasses for a maintenance-free fall combination that stands up beautifully to our region’s first light snowfalls.
5. Asters
These native fall bloomers burst with purple, pink, or white daisy-like flowers from September through October. I’ve watched deer walk right past my aster patch to munch on neighboring plants!
New England asters particularly shine in Pennsylvania gardens, reaching impressive heights of 3-4 feet. Their nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies and bees during autumn’s crucial migration and hibernation preparation periods.
Plant in full sun and divide every few years to maintain vigor. Their textured foliage and strong stems hold up well to Pennsylvania’s fall rains and winds.
6. Ornamental Grasses
Feathery plumes of switchgrass catch morning light like nothing else in my Pennsylvania garden. The foliage transitions from blue-green to golden amber, then to a rich burgundy as temperatures drop.
Deer completely ignore these grasses due to their tough, silica-rich blades. After testing various varieties, I’ve found ‘Shenandoah’ red switchgrass offers the most dramatic fall color for our Pennsylvania climate.
Consider planting several varieties for a tapestry effect. Little bluestem, fountain grass, and maiden grass all provide different textures and fall hues that persist through winter.
7. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
Summer’s green broccoli-like flowers transform into rusty-red blooms by September, creating perfect landing pads for migrating monarchs. The succulent foliage turns shades of burgundy as Pennsylvania nights grow cooler.
Deer avoid the thick, waxy leaves that store water and contain compounds they find unpalatable. In my garden, they’ve remained untouched for over a decade, even during severe drought when deer become less discriminating.
Plant these drought-tolerant perennials in poor soil with excellent drainage. They actually develop better fall color when not overwatered or overfertilized.
8. Sumac
Few plants rival sumac’s fiery fall display of scarlet, orange, and purple. These native Pennsylvania shrubs create dramatic vertical interest with their tropical-looking compound leaves and distinctive seed cones.
My hillside planting of staghorn sumac stops traffic every October. Deer completely ignore them, likely due to the fuzzy stems and aromatic compounds in the leaves.
Choose the non-invasive varieties like fragrant sumac or staghorn sumac for garden use. They thrive in Pennsylvania’s poorest soils and most challenging sites where few other plants succeed.
9. Japanese Forest Grass
Golden variegated foliage turns stunning shades of pink, orange, and burgundy in fall. This elegant shade-loving grass cascades like a waterfall, brightening dark corners of Pennsylvania woodland gardens.
Deer consistently avoid this ornamental grass, making it perfect for properties that border wooded areas. The texture and possibly the taste simply don’t appeal to browsing animals.
I’ve planted several beneath my maple trees where they glow like sunshine during October’s gray days. They prefer rich, moist soil and protection from afternoon sun in our Pennsylvania climate.
10. Fothergilla
Spring’s honey-scented white bottlebrush flowers give way to spectacular fall foliage in shades of yellow, orange, and red – often all on the same leaf! This underused native shrub deserves more attention in Pennsylvania landscapes.
Fothergilla has remained completely deer-proof in my garden for years. Last autumn, I watched a doe and two fawns browse around my specimens without taking a single nibble.
Grows best in acidic soil with consistent moisture, similar to what you’d provide for azaleas. The compact varieties make excellent foundation plants that won’t outgrow their space.