Characteristics

• Plants that are generally less attractive to deer have some or all of the following characteristics: silver leaves, intense fragrance, milky sap, leathery leaves or thorns. Buckthorn species have thorns, making them less palatable to deer.
  
  

Geography

• Deer resistance is affected by geography. Deer in one area will browse a particular species, while deer in another area will leave it alone. Horticulturists in New Jersey and West Virginia have placed buckthorn species on their lists of deer-resistant plants.
  
  

Considerations

• If deer are a problem in your area, the best way to find out whether the animals will eat a particular planty is to consult fellow gardeners, Master Gardeners or the County Cooperative Extension Agent.