Really need some clear idea of what you like, amount of shade in yard...
Generally scented plants and toxic plants are a good place to start where deer are concerned.
While you can't garden without a fence when growing vegetables, flowers are a whole nother bucket of fish.
Scented plants might include monarda, mint and lantana.
Toxic plants might include castor beans, datura, poppies, and foxglove.
Some of these aren't likely to be hardy in ct, so youll have to select appropriate hardiness for your area.
There are lists of plants considered resistant to deer, but at my house, deer search them out.
It's always going to be a matter of removing the plants they like and trying something else...