Hydrangeas are not noted for having any particular deer resistance. In fact, they are typically included on lists of "often browsed by deer" or "frequently damaged by deer" plants. Specific cultivars would neither deter or encourage them - a hydrangea is just a hydrangea to a deer. Flowers in particular seem to be favored but most sources also indicate deer will nibble back hydrangea stems rather severely, often within inches of the ground.

For flowering shrubs liking similar conditions to hydrangeas that are NOT very appealing to deer, you could consider Pieris japonica, Leucothoe and most viburnums.

BTW, Springhill Nursery has a very poor reputation as a mail order source. You might want to check out the Garden Watchdog and review the ratings before deciding to do business with them.

I have deer all over the place around here, and they loved munching on my Pinky Winky. Strangely enough, they generally left my other paniculatas alone (Limelight and Quick Fire). They did not seem to like my Annabelle or Endless Summer much either (thank goodness!!!). But yes, truth be told, when they get hungry, they seem to munch on everything... sigh!

If you have a hydrangea that deer don't eat, I'd say take cuttings from it and make more of those! They love my Annabelles ... I have to keep spraying them with Liquid Fence. I also have some wild H. arborescens (Annabelle is a cultivar of it) and they love those the most.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I made some cuttings from my "deer resistant" Nikko Blue last year. Let's see how they do!

I've not had problems with Springhill. Last year some of the plants I got didn't grow and they replaced them with similar plants.

Thanks,
F

I grew Nikko blue hydrangeas for years they were the only hydrangeas that the dear didn't touch they ate all the other varieties but not the NB