6 Deer-Resistant Flowering Vines for Fall Planting

Rutgers University's deer-resistance database rates hundreds of plants—yet in the vine category, only three rate "seldom damaged," and none rate "rarely damaged." Most vines outgrow deer reach once established, but for low growth (<6 ft) that retains leaves and flowers, these six are your best bets—three "seldom damaged" and three "occasionally damaged."

1. American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) — Seldom Damaged

• Twining deciduous vine native to eastern/central North America
• Easy in most soils—not the invasive Oriental bittersweet (C. orbiculatus)
• Whitish-yellow summer flowers → bright persistent fruits (floral arrangements)
• Male + female needed for berries; 'Bailumn' is self-fertile
• Caution: All parts toxic if eaten by humans
• Zones: 3–9 (–40°F)
• Light: Full sun
• Water: Moderate
• Size: Up to 25 feet

2. Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) — Seldom Damaged

• Deciduous woody vine; no fragrance but blooms mid–late winter
• Carefree, thrives with little attention
• Grows as scrambling shrub or upright vine
• Zones: 6–9 (–10°F)
• Light: Full sun
• Water: Moderate
• Size: Up to 15 feet

3. Wisteria (Wisteria spp.) — Seldom Damaged

• Enormous drooping flower clusters—among the most stunning flowering vines
• Warning: Chinese (W. sinensis) and Japanese (W. floribunda) are highly invasive—50-ft vines engulf trees
• Safe choice: American wisteria (W. frutescens)—similar flowers, smaller, non-invasive
• Zones: Varies by species
• Light: Full to partial sun
• Water: Low

4. Clematis (Clematis spp.) — Occasionally Damaged

• Delicate flowers (purple/white common); constrained growth habit
• Most nursery stock: highly hybridized Japanese/Chinese origin
• Native options: Western (C. ligusticifolia) and eastern (C. virginiana) species—small white flowers; New England/Great Lakes (C. occidentalis)—showier purple
• Zones: Varies by species
• Light: Full to partial sun
• Water: Moderate

5. Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris) — Occasionally Damaged

• 80-foot vine with familiar lace-cap blooms on fast-growing deciduous stems
• Stunning in bloom; clinging rootlets climb masonry—no trellis needed
• Plant where deer are problematic and you have a large structure to cover
• Zones: 5–9 (–20°F)
• Light: Partial sun
• Water: High
• Size: Up to 80 feet

6. Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) — Occasionally Damaged

• Extremely tough eastern U.S. native; grows almost anywhere
• 3-inch trumpet-shaped orange flowers—hummingbird favorite
• Warning: Extremely vigorous—tendrils break siding and inadequate supports
• Plant with care and strong structures
• Zones: 4–9 (–30°F)
• Light: Full sun
• Water: Low
• Size: Up to 40 feet

Protect young vines until they exceed browse height. Choose natives where possible (American bittersweet, American wisteria, native clematis, trumpet creeper) for ecological value alongside deer resistance.