The white tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, have white hair covering the underside of their tails. White tails belong to the Cervidae family. Cervids chew cud, have split hoofs, no incisor teeth, and a four-chambered stomach. Adult males grow antlers.

The white tailed deer are the scourge of Virginia Garden.

Outsmarting the deer with plants they do not eat is a challenge. In the Virginia Garden, bulbs and tubers the white tails do not eat are the allium, amaryllis, daffodil, elephant ear, iris, and peony. Other apparent deer resistant plants are the astilbe, eupatorium, helleborus, lambs ear, lantana, marigold, mum, yarrow, dwarf Chinese holly, nandina, and spirea.

Fencing may keep some deer out of the garden.