Deer-Resistant Ferns

Ferns thrive in the shade deer love to hide in, yet they're rarely browsed. These ferns are rated A or B for deer resistance. All 10 are listed below, with hardiness zones.

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PlantBotanical nameType / zonesDeer rating
Christmas Fern 🦌Polystichum arcostichoidesFernsZ3–9A Rarely damaged
Cinnamon Fern 🦌Osmunda cinnamomeaFernsZ3–9A Rarely damaged
Hayscented Fern 🦌Dennstaedtia punctilobulaFernsZ3–8A Rarely damaged
Holly Fern 🦌Cyrtomium falcatumFernsZ6–11A Rarely damaged
Japanese Painted Fern 🦌Athyrium goeringianum (nipponicum)FernsZ4–9A Rarely damaged
New York Fern 🦌Thelyptens noveboracensisFernsZ4–8A Rarely damaged
Ostrich Fern 🦌Matteuccia struthiopterisFernsZ3–7A Rarely damaged
Royal Fern 🦌Osmunda regalisFernsZ3–9A Rarely damaged
Sensitive Fern 🦌Onoclea sensibilisFernsZ4–9A Rarely damaged
Wood Fern 🦌Dryopteris marginalisFernsZ3–8A Rarely damaged

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