What is the general reputation of asters regarding browsing by deer?

They enjoy a reputation for being fairly unappealing and are often classified as deer-resistant.

Asters generally possess a reputation among gardeners for being unattractive to deer. This assessment often leads horticultural lists to classify various aster species as 'deer-resistant.' This resistance is typically attributed to characteristics of the foliage, such as its texture or inherent taste, which generally do not align with the preferred browsing habits of deer, especially when other, tastier food options are readily available in the environment. However, it is crucial to recognize that 'deer resistant' signifies that they are less preferred, not that they are entirely inedible under all circumstances.