Gardening in Athens comes with a specific kind of frustration that anyone who has tried it knows well. You plant something, you tend to it, and then a deer finds it before you get to enjoy it. A lot of what gets sold as “deer resistant” at big box stores turns out not to be, just ask any Athens gardener who has watched their hostas, monarda, or baptisia get wiped out overnight.
That’s exactly the problem that Roxanne Malé-Brune and Lindsey Siegrist set out to address when they started their Deer Resistant Plant Sale back in 2014. Both Master Gardeners have been running the sale every spring since, and it’s grown into something Athens gardeners genuinely look forward to. The 2026 edition is happening on Saturday, May 9th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, May 10th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 171 Longview Heights in Athens.
What to Expect
The sale typically carries over 1,000 individual plants across 150 or more varieties, native perennials, shrubs, and trees that have been specifically selected because deer tend to leave them alone.
Perennials generally run between $4 and $8, and trees and shrubs between $6 and $12, with a few specialty items priced individually. It’s cash or check only, so come prepared; no cards are accepted. For students in Ohio University off-campus apartments that come with a yard or some outdoor space, this is a good opportunity to actually do something with it without spending a lot.
Plant information will be displayed alongside each plant at the sale, so you don’t need to come in knowing exactly what you want. Past plant lists are also available on the website if you want to do some research ahead of time or remember something you picked up in a previous year.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go
Parking can get tight during peak hours. The lower driveway at 171 is reserved for drop-offs and plant loading after purchase, but the driveways at 169 and 167 Longview Heights are also open. Carpooling is encouraged if you’re coming with friends. The sale runs rain or shine, though the Facebook page will have updates in the event of severe weather.
Some apartments near Ohio University have front porches, yards, and garden beds that tenants can actually use. A sale like this is a practical way to fill that space with plants that will actually survive Athens’ deer population.
For anyone who’s been burned by plants that were supposed to be deer-resistant but weren’t, this sale is worth checking out. Visit the website for past plant lists and other details.