Best Japanese Beetle Resistant Plants

Japanese beetles tend to avoid hollies, and ‘Afterglow’ winterberry is no exception. This is a deciduous holly — it drops its leaves in fall, and the berried stems sparkle through winter. Hardy in Zones 3-9. Use as a hedge or in a rain garden.

Hostas like ‘Coast to Coast,’ which unfurls thick, puckered leaves, are unpalatable to Japanese beetles. The thick leaves also give this hosta — and ones with similar leaves — slug resistance. ‘Coast to Coast’ is a gold leaf hosta that thrives in part to full shade. Clumps grow 30 inches tall and up to 36 inches across.

‘Everest Blue’ is a tall ageratum that grows 20 to 26 inches tall. Developed for the cut flower market, it makes a terrific addition to planting beds, cottage gardens and large containers. Japanese beetles tend to avoid the hairy, quilted leaves of ageratum, but may rarely munch on the blooms.

Venus Dogwood is the result of a cross between Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) and Korean Dogwood (Cornus kousa). Its flowers are up to 6 inches across — as big as a hand. Like other dogwoods, this cross shows strong resistance to Japanese beetle feeding. Leaves have a strong venation pattern that creates an almost quilted effect, which could be why the beetles give it a pass.

The ‘Whirlybird Mix’ of nasturtium is beloved for its large, 2- to 3-inch flowers that hold their faces up — providing maximum show in the garden. Blooms open in hues of orange, red, gold, cream and rose. Japanese beetles likely avoid this annual because of its peppery bite, something that’s delightful in salads or on sandwiches.