Brighten Up Your Shaded Garden with These 17 Deer-Resistant Plants

It can be quite a feat to have a flourishing garden in areas swarming with deer, especially in spots with limited sunlight. However, fret not as there are several shade plants that are known to ward off these creatures due to their unique textures and flavors – although it’s worth noting that no plant is entirely deer-proof. Below is a list of some of the best deer-resistant shade plants you can consider adding to your garden. Let’s start with the Lily-of-the-Valley Bush!

Deer can be quite picky eaters, but one plant they typically steer clear of is the lily-of-the-valley bush, also known as Pieris spp. This evergreen thrives in shady conditions and displays lovely clusters of pink, white, or rose flowers in the spring. While it’s sometimes referred to as andromeda, this plant shouldn’t be confused with the lily-of-the-valley flower. The leaves, sap, and blooms of the bush are toxic to both humans and pets, so keep that in mind when planting. Lungwort is another excellent option for deer-resistant gardening.

David McDonald suggests that Lungwort, a shade plant with variegated foliage and pink or blue flowers, is an attractive option for those looking for deer-resistant plants. This perennial is easy to take care of and can be paired with bulbs like narcissus and scilla. Lungwort requires slightly moist, well-drained soil and can grow up to one foot tall and two feet wide. It thrives in zones 2-8. Another great option suggested by David is Astilbe.

Introduce a touch of elegance to your garden by adding astilbe, a resilient perennial that adds vibrant hues of red, coral, white, lavender, and cream to the darkest corners of your landscape. Even when not in bloom, these plants boast delicate fern-like leaves which provide visual interest. All you need to grow this beauty is rich, moist, and well-drained soil. Astilbe can grow up to 3 feet tall and 30 inches wide, and thrives in zones 4-8. Add astilbe to your shade garden, along with other ideas like jack-in-the-pulpit, to create a peaceful haven in your yard.

The Jack-in-the-pulpit, a native wildflower, can add a pop of color to your garden in the spring. This plant is easy to grow and produces unique hooded green or purple flowers followed by red berries later in the year. However, be cautious when planting this perennial around pets or small children as it contains calcium oxalate, a toxic substance, especially in the corms. It is best grown in rich, damp, acidic soil and can reach up to 2 feet in height and 18 inches in width. Hardy in zones 4-9, this stunning plant is also deer-resistant due to its toxicity.

The charming and delightful blossoms of columbine (Aquilegia spp.), a type of shade plant that deer don’t fancy munching on, resemble beautiful twinkling stars. Delicately held aloft on thin and flexible stems that sway gracefully with the wind, these native wildflowers require minimal effort to maintain and grow in places with partial shade. Although individual columbine plants may not live for long, they reproduce effortlessly and eventually create large clusters of colorful flowers. The ideal growing conditions for columbine include moist soil with excellent drainage. These plants can grow up to 3 feet in height and 2 feet in width, and are suitable for zones 3 to 9.

This plan for a partially shaded garden is sure to bring joy and relaxation with its vibrant colors

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Bergenia

Peter Krumhardt introduces us to bergenias, a beautiful flowering plant that is perfect for shade gardens. These plants have pink flowers and shiny heart-shaped leaves that are sure to catch anyone’s eye. Additionally, they remain evergreen in the southern parts of their range. One unique fact about bergenias is that their leaves make a squealing sound when rubbed between your thumb and finger, hence the name pigsqueak. These plants thrive in rich, moist, and well-drained soil and can grow up to 18 inches tall and wide. They typically grow in zones 3-8.

One way to keep deer away from your garden is by planting Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum pictum), a shade plant that grows up to 18 inches tall and features grayish-green fronds with silver and maroon highlights. This species is known for naturalizing an area, which results in the formation of dense clumps. It thrives in rich, slightly moist, well-drained soil. Another plant that you can try is Ligularia.

Peter Krumhardt suggests that ligularia, a plant known for its large dark green leaves and yellow flowers, is vulnerable to drought and should be mulched to retain soil moisture. This deer-resistant shade plant is suitable for stream banks, rain gardens, and pond edges. To grow ligularia, use moisture-retentive soil and water deeply once a week. Ligularia can reach up to 4 feet tall and wide and can thrive in zones 4-9. Another plant recommended by Krumhardt is the brunnera.

Brunnera, also known as Siberian bugloss, is a beautiful plant that features heart-shaped leaves and lovely sky-blue flowers during the spring season. It is also resistant to deer because of the rough texture of its leaves. This plant can spread fairly quickly through creeping rhizomes and self-seeding, forming sturdy clumps over time. Brunnera thrives in moist soil that is rich in nutrients, and it can grow up to 18 inches tall and 30 inches wide. This plant is ideal for zones 3-8.

Denny Schrock suggests that if you want to prevent deer from eating your shrubs, Oregon grape holly can be an excellent choice. The tough, spiky leaves of this shade-loving plant tend to keep the deer away. Additionally, this plant blooms yellow flowers in spring and bears blue-black berries in late summer. It can slowly spread by runners, making thick, colorful colonies. To grow this shrub successfully, you need slightly acidic, well-drained, and moist soil. Oregon grape holly can grow up to 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide and is suitable for zones 5-8.

Denny Schrock suggests that if you’re looking for a flowering shrub that can thrive in shady conditions, skimmia can be an excellent option. It produces sweet-scented white flowers in the spring and clusters of red fruits on female plants in the fall. Skimmia is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that can resist deer and make a fantastic candidate for foundation planting or flowering hedge. To produce berries, both male and female plants are necessary, which can attract songbirds. The ideal growing conditions for skimmia include rich, well-drained, and slightly moist soil. The plant can grow up to four feet tall and wide and can survive in zones 6-8.

Burkwood daphne is another shrub that you might want to consider for shady areas.

Janet Mesic-Mackie suggests using Daphne x burkwoodii as a deer-resistant shade plant due to its colorful appearance and pleasant scent. The shrub produces clusters of whitish-pink flowers in the early summer followed by toxic red berries in the fall. This plant is recommended for use in a perennial border or as a foundation plant located on the north side of a house. It is best grown in well-drained soil and partial shade and can grow up to 4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide in zones 5-7. For landscaping purposes, the Bottlebrush Buckeye is also a great option.

Looking for a beautiful flowering shrub that can thrive in the shade and is also deer-resistant? Consider planting the bottlebrush buckeye, also known as Aesculus parviflora. Native to North America, this plant boasts nectar-rich white flowers that are a magnet for butterflies in the early summer. Plus, its foliage turns a bright yellow in the fall, adding a splash of color to your garden. To ensure optimal growth, make sure to plant it in rich, slightly moist soil and provide ample space, as it can grow up to 10 feet tall and 15 feet wide. This plant is suitable for zones 4-8. Another great option for a deer-resistant ground cover is pachysandra.

KRITSADA PANICHGUL

Pachysandra, an excellent choice for a groundcover in shady areas, is known to be unappealing to deer due to its thick and glossy leaves. This robust plant is capable of spreading rapidly through underground runners, ultimately creating a dense layer of dark green or variegated foliage that deer will avoid. Additionally, pachysandra produces small white flowers in the beginning of spring. Ideal growing conditions include rich soil with slight moisture, and it can grow up to 4-6 inches tall and spread several feet wide. It is best suited for zones 4-9.

Moving on to Epimedium…

If you’re looking for a great shade groundcover that deer won’t devour, consider planting some foamflower. Also known as Tiarella, this plant produces delicate white or pink flowers that bloom in the spring, adding a touch of elegance to your garden. Its foliage is also quite eye-catching, with intricately-veined leaves that come in shades of green and bronze. Foamflower can thrive in a variety of growing conditions, including dry or rocky soil, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners. It typically reaches heights of up to 12 inches and spreads out to about 2 feet wide. Foamflower is also suitable for USDA zones 4-9, which means it’s a great choice for many regions in the United States.

Looking for a beautiful plant that can thrive in the shade and resist deer? Consider the Foamflower, scientifically known as Tiarella cordifolia. With stunning pink or white flowers blooming in late spring and reddish bronze leaves in the autumn, this hardy native plant is sure to add elegance to any garden border that doesn’t get much sunlight. It also makes a great groundcover when planted in woodland settings. To keep it healthy, make sure to provide rich, slightly moist soil. The Foamflower typically grows to be up to one foot tall and three feet wide, and is suitable for growing in zones 3-9.

Andy Lyons reports that the windflower (Anemone sylvestris) is a deer-resistant shade plant that produces snow-white or pink flowers on slender yet robust stems. The flowers of this perennial appear to dance lightly in the wind, making for a charming sight. This plant blooms abundantly with daisy-like flowers during April and May. Windflower spreads gradually, forming attractive foliage and flowers that eventually cover broad areas of the garden. The windflower thrives in well-drained soil with a slight moisture level and can grow up to 18 inches tall and 2 feet wide. It is best suited for growing in zones 4-8.