Are Junipers Deer Resistant?

Junipers are coniferous, or cone bearing, trees and shrubs of the genus Juniperus. A diverse group of evergreens, junipers range in size from 4 inches to 50 feet tall and 2 inches to 20 feet wide. Gardeners and landscapers create screens, ground cover, hedges and windbreaks using junipers species. At least some species are resistant to deer, but exceptions exist.

The Oregon State University "Deer-Resistant Ornamental Plants" publication states that all species of juniper native to the state resist deer. The Montana State University "Guide to Deer-Resistant Ornamental Plants for Your Garden" lists six species of deer resistant juniper, among them Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinesis), compact Andorra juniper (Juniperus horizontalis Plumosa) and vase common juniper (Juniperus communis Vase Shape).

Though sources largely regard juniper as deer resistant plants there are degrees to which species of the genus resist deer. Rutgers University of New Jersey ranks deer resistance in plants at four levels: rarely damaged, seldom severely damaged, occasionally severely damaged, and frequently severely damaged. The school’s database ranks 14 species of juniper. One of them, Prince of Wales juniper (Juniperus horizontalis Prince of Wales), is ranked rarely damaged and one of them, shore juniper (Juniperus conferta), is ranked occasionally severely damaged. All others are ranked seldom severely damaged. Thus, while species of juniper prove deer resistant in many cases they are not invincible in the face of hoofed garden intruders.

According to Jeff Meyer, author of "The Tree Book: A Practical Guide to Selecting and Maintaining the Best Trees," the notion of deer resistance in plants is ultimately a myth. Meyer continues to explain that while deer generally avoid eating certain plants, they eat anything available if faced with food scarcity. Plants generally avoided by deer that prove most attractive in cases of extreme hunger include pine, holly, yew and juniper.

Juniper cultivation is simple and requires minimal maintenance. Species flourish in full sun exposure and well-drained soil and are more drought resistant and heat tolerant than other ornamental species. Species of juniper are suited to growth in different U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones, though species are available in almost all regions of the United States. Chinese juniper is a common, deer-resistant species suited to growth in USDA zones 4 through 9 that reaches a mature height of 55 feet; smaller cultivars such as Hertz Chinese juniper are available. Though junipers are largely deer resistant, all species are susceptible to vole damage.