Gardeners tend to see more damage in their garden from deer in the late fall and winter. Native to eastern North America, where it shrubby grows naturally in sandy open woods and meadows, shrubby St. John’s wort (Hypericum prolificum) is widely adaptable to different soil conditions, but does consistently well on wet slopes or where periodic flooding occurs. The lawn’s reduced root system and diminished grass expose the ground to stormwater runoff, a chief soil erosion culprit. Do not plant these plants in a moderate deer … Examples include: 1. white turtlehead, Chelone glabra, the host plant for our state butterfly 2. turk's cap lily, Lillium superbum 3. But if the bark is completely stripped from a shrub or tree, that can mean the end of the plant. This low, spreading, evergreen shrub reaches one to 2 feet tall and spreads three to 4 feet wide in just a season or two. Plants listed as 'Deer proof' hold up well but are nibbled on once or twice/year. Left unchecked, erosion carves deep gullies and can undermine pavement, buildings, and other structures. I avoid plants with excessive pest or disease problems and that stray too far from their original planting site. The tenacious root system of the forsythia shrub makes it an excellent choice for erosion control. It is evergreen and can get along with little water once … Explore. Juniper generally is low maintenance, simply requiring some pruning to control its growth. Creeping Myrtle. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Q: The grass in my yard—which is in partial shade since the trees around it have grown up, and on a slight slope—has been dying for the past several years. The berries also are toxic to people and pets, so take care when planting the shrub. More ... Eastern … When I tried reseeding, the seed ran off the slope, and now small ravines are forming, which I think is due to erosion. You mentioned Coast Live Oak, Valley, and Toyon which all seem like good choices. Plants that leaf out early and hold their leaves until late fall, however, rise to the top of the heap. Creeping plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘prostrata’) is one of a few shade-tolerant conifers. Plant Life columnist Valerie Easton talks with an expert on slope erosion. … It's generally low maintenance, though you might have to remove suckers to prevent new plants from spreading where you don't want them. Deer-Resistant Plants for Shade. Space plants 5 to 6 feet apart in USDA zones 5 through 8. Native Plants for Shady Slopes. Deer Resistant Plants. A carpet of pink, purple, red, or white flowers each spring makes creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) one of the showiest plants for erosion control. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), which is technically a subshrub, has bluish flowers with silvery-gray foliage. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. But while bees and butterflies like its flowers, the plant's heavy scent repels deer. Spread: 1 to 2 feet. This hardy perennial has been used for generations to beautify steep banks and arm them against erosion. Also, prune dead and diseased parts as needed. It grows to roughly 6 to 10 feet but can get even taller in the right conditions. This shrub also will spread, so remove its suckers if you want to keep it contained in one area. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. For shade tolerance, one good choice is fescue (Festuca spp. Oct 2, 2012 - Drought tolerant, deer resistant hillside. Spring Glory Forsythia. Remember "deer-resistant" is not "deer-proof." They also require little care. Solomon's plume, Maianthemum racemosum 4. all orchids, for example the lady slippers, as shown at left 5. ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius 6. smooth Solomon's seal, Polygonatum biflorum var. And because deer have a sensitive sense of smell, they tend to dislike any plants with a strong odor. Juniper varieties are members of the cypress family and give off a heavy fragrance. Golden bell is drought tolerant and deer resistant. This fast growing ground cover for slopes grows well in … Cut back in early spring to make room for fresh new foliage. Andromeda (Pieris japonica) is a dense, flowering, deer-resistant shrub. Deer might nibble on these trees if they're desperate for food, but the foliage is definitely not their first choice. Zone: 3 – 9. Zones: 3 to 9. While no plant is 100% deer resistant, deer generally avoid these perennials. When their … Likes … Mark Wolfe, Bob Vila, 10 Lush Landscaping Ideas for a Hilly Backyard, Easy Ground Covers: 7 Varieties to Enhance Any Landscape, All You Need to Know About Landscape Fabric, The Best Landscape Fabric for Blocking Out Weeds, The Dos and Don'ts of Planting Ground Cover. Tried and true deer-resistant plants for the Sierra Foothills; Cool Links. Soil Requirements: mesic to dry soil with good calcium availability. Ornamental grasses feature extensive fibrous roots, excellent drought tolerance, and lush foliage. Space plants 12 inches apart for complete coverage within a season in USDA zones 3 through 9. Some animals still might choose to take a bite out of these shrubs, especially if food options are limited. As a bonus, boxwoods contain alkaloids that are distasteful to deer. Some shrubs might die without an obvious cause, so choose a planting area that allows for easy removal if necessary. We'll help you find the best deer proof ground covers for your zone and need from tried-and-true classics to brand new. Candy Oh is a favored variety known for its fragrance and vibrant coloring. Fescue is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3 through 7. This shrub is a favorite of many pollinators, and it's drought-tolerant. This shrub is fairly low maintenance, simply requiring pruning to keep its shape, though it should be protected from cold winter winds. For a different look, try the Pfitzer Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Pfitzeriana Glauca'), which is commonly shaped into pom-poms. Some bloom in Winter, and many of them are evergreen! You get a 3-for-1 deal with arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum). Coreopsis; Sedums; Hardy Ferns; Shade Ground Covers - Deer Resistant; Sun Ground Covers - Deer Resistant; Drought Tolerant Plants. Some of the plants suggested below may be ideal to bring life back to your yard—but before buying any, check the USDA plant hardiness zone map to ensure they can thrive in your area. RELATED: 10 Lush Landscaping Ideas for a Hilly Backyard. (If your slope is steeper, consult a landscape architect for additional soil protection measures; slopes greater than 50 percent require structures like retaining walls.). In general, prune roses in the early spring before blooms start to show. It’s suited to USDA zones 3 through 8. Plant in sandy, loamy, moist or wet, and acidic soil conditions. Roots spread quickly to cover bare, shady slopes with elegant 3-foot-tall, vase-shaped plants. Boxwoods (Buxus) are broadleaf evergreens, meaning they have broad leaves like deciduous plants but keep their leaves in the winter. Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) forms a glossy, broadleaf, evergreen carpet that controls soil erosion in shady areas. Below are 11 best plants for covering slopes and hillside areas and to create beauty and stabilty. Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) Can you suggest some plants that will flourish while helping to control erosion? Plants that are toxic to deer like daffodils and foxgloves … Sea holly is a delight to butterflies and flower arrangers alike and is a tough plant that is very tolerant of drought. Sod gives immediate coverage but requires more time for preparation and installation. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Plant it in partial sun to shade at 3 feet apart to grows into a low 3-foot mound with glossy blue-green foliage and showy yellow flowers. Moss phlox. An added bonus is that deer won’t eat it. K innikinnick. Also included are hard-to-find plant lists of special traits and useful characteristics: self-seeding, fra-grance, long-blooming, minimal litter trees. It’s suited to USDA zones 3 through 9. Its fragrance is one of the true delights of the spring garden, but the aroma and poisonous berries are distasteful to deer. Some native plant species are favorite food sources for white tailed deer. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Daphne (Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie'). Roses have every leaf removed each summer-fall. Verbena. Some gardeners even choose to trim the stems down to the ground in early winter to give their landscape a cleaner look. Blue star juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star') is a small, slow-growing, rounded bush that is a good choice where a bluish accent is needed. And who better to recommend these plants … These plants are magnets for pollinators—hence their common name—but deer tend to avoid them. Forsythia may have a short bloom season, but … (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Most of the deer-resistant, noninvasive ground covers are … Growing conditions: Full sun. A: You may be correct about your troubled turf! Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) is native to eastern North America, and it's a deer-resistant shrub you are more likely to see in the wild there than in people's yards. Here is a list of seven great plants I use to tackle challenging slopes. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), which is technically a … Thorn-free shrubs always make maintenance a little easier. It stays low (under 6 inches) and spreads at a moderate pace. Daylilies; Sedums; Echinacea; Succulents; … Sometimes the damage is merely cosmetic, and the plant can recover. Meanwhile, blue rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Rug') often serves as a ground cover on hillsides. This makes them a very popular choice for hedges. Ideal for erosion control on part shade to full shade garden areas including slopes. Seed is less expensive and easy to install but takes four to six weeks to grow in. Some new cultivars, such as 'Blue Chip', have few seeds or are seedless, making them less able to spread. The plant also is tolerant of drought, erosion, and salt. protects sunny slopes while offering year-round interest with tiny white flowers, glossy green foliage, and red berries—making it ideal for pollinators and birds. It stays under 10 inches tall, spreads well beneath trees but does not climb, and gives a subtle display of creamy white flowers in early summer. Erosion occurs when wind and/or water move across unprotected ground, removing soil particles. Aquilegia canadensis. Bluebeard or the blue mist shrub (Caryopteris) blooms in late summer at a time when relatively few bushes are flowering. It is the fragrance of bayberry that deters deer from eating it. 'Carol Mackie' Daphne (Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie') is a variegated bush with extremely fragrant flowers. The 8 Best Plants for Erosion Control in Your Yard - Bob Vila If you water your plants, you will have more damage. Tips for Deterring Deer From Entering Your Yard and Garden, 29 Shrubs That Grow in Full or Partial Shade, 15 Recommended Flowering Shrubs for Your Home, 14 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Perennial Garden, 10 Best Flowering Plants That Deer Will Not Eat. They're fairly low maintenance, except for an annual pruning to maintain their shape and remove unhealthy portions. Deer resistant and easy to grow fern. ... How to plant CA natives on a slope… By Mark Wolfe and Bob Vila. Prune the shrub once a year after it's done flowering to control its height. During a cold winter or at other times when natural food sources are low, your landscape can be devastated by deer feeding on shrubs and small trees. BEST plants for 30 tough garden sites: dry shade, slopes, lakeshores, all locations that call for tough, durable plants. Slope Attributes: deer resistant. Choose from several species for erosion control: Bearberry cotoneaster (C. dammeri) grows one to 2 feet tall and 6 feet wide, Rockspray cotoneaster (C. horizontalis) grows two to 3 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, and willow leaf cotoneaster (C. salicifolius) grows two to 3 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. The right type of grass is perfect for erosion control on mild slopes because it provides a dense root mass and tough foliage that holds up well under foot traffic. And erosion problems are increasing; not just because of climate-change extremes. Deer-resistant plants often feature a texture or smell the animals try to avoid. Branches grow roots where they touch the soil, adding even more soil protection. Astilbe are also deer-resistant plants … Commonly referred to as dwarf coyote bush, this ground cover is a California native, which grows 1 to 2 ft. high with a 6 to 8 ft. spread. When landscape trees mature, the grass beneath them gets shaded and may die off from lack of adequate sunlight. Design a beautiful landscape filled with breathtaking blooms and distinctive foliage, without worrying about destructive The plant spreads via underground runners and does not require much maintenance besides some pruning to keep it looking neat. There are many possibilities among evergreen species, flowering shrubs, and other specimens that deer aren't likely to munch on. This entire list is deer and drought resistant, tried and true. One of our favorite deer-resistant perennials are bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, aka Dicentra spectabilis). Beautiful and robust ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) is a great erosion control plant for low-light graded areas. ... Drought Tolerant Landscape Landscaping A Slope Landscape Outdoor Landscaping Luxury Landscaping Plants Ground Cover Plants Deer Resistant … This smell is what makes deer recoil and avoid eating the plant. This plant is somewhat difficult to grow, as it requires a delicate balance of soil moisture and sharp drainage. Fortunately, certain plants can be effective in preventing erosion on slopes of up to 33 percent (that’s 1 foot of elevation change for every 3 feet of horizontal distance), according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It produces beautiful blooms for most of the summer and will attract many pollinators to your garden. Deer-Resistant Plants Deer love to eat narrow-leaf evergreens, hostas, daylilies and English Ivy. Like deer-resistant shrubs, there also are several deer-resistant trees—including flowering, shade, and evergreen varieties—for landscaping. Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) In general, shrub roses are good plants where deer are a problem due to their thorny stems that deer don't like to eat. Landscape shrubs are not the preferred food for white-tailed deer, but deer will still eat them in a pinch. … Oct 2, 2012 - Drought tolerant, deer resistant hillside. You also mentioned Sage (Salvia) and while many sages are classified as low water use and deer … Although the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) is considered invasive in many regions, it also can be a striking addition to a landscape. Kathleen Miller is a Master Gardener and Horticulturist with over 30 years experience in gardening and sustainable farming. It features dense growth that beautifully fills landscape beds with a solid mass of glossy, deep green, fern-like foliage. Height: 3 to 6 inches. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Plant spaced 4 feet apart in USDA zones 6 through 9. You may not need to give up grass if you can find a species better suited to your conditions. Wild Columbine. Plant Muhly grass at a 3-foot spacing in USDA zones 6 through 10. Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), a widely distributed native North American perennial grass, boasts beautiful cotton candy-like pinkish bloom spikes that rise above the foliage in fall. Clear-cutting is the major … Pruning is optional if you wish to keep the bush compact with more prolific flowers. Plants for Moderate Level Deer Problems The fruit trees have no fruit or leaves below 4'. In winter dormancy, bronze foliage adds structure and motion to the landscape. biflorum 7. pinxter azalea, Rhododendron periclymenoides … ), available at garden stores and landscape suppliers in both seed blends and as sod. Plant this ground cover at 6- to 8-inch spacing for coverage within a growing season. Lawn And Garden. … Remove dead, diseased, and overgrown wood to promote better airflow, which helps to prevent pests and diseases. In contrast with creeping juniper, creeping myrtle (Vinca minor) is … Space plants 3 feet apart in USDA zones 3 through 8. Here are 10 varieties of deer-resistant shrubs. This deer-resistant shrub bears reddish fall foliage and bluish berries in addition to white flowers in the spring. Although it is an evergreen, it looks best in the early spring when its showy flowers bloom and give off a powerful aroma. To keep the plant well-shaped and flowering, cut it back by about half in the early spring. As a result, they are disappearing from natural areas. Plant Muhly grass at a moderate deer … while no plant is 100 % deer ;... Muhly grass at a moderate pace pruning to control its growth runners and does require. This makes them a very popular choice for hedges apart in USDA zones through... 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Deer will still eat them in a moderate pace from lack of adequate.! Seed is less expensive and easy to grow in ornamental grasses feature extensive fibrous,. Gives immediate coverage but requires more time for preparation and installation in,... People and pets, so remove its suckers if you want to keep the compact! Often feature a texture or smell the animals try to avoid them 8-inch spacing for coverage within a in! Shade tolerance, and Lush foliage people and pets, so choose a planting that... Ca natives on a slope… plant Life columnist Valerie Easton talks with an on. Writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years in! Sandy, loamy, moist or wet, and acidic soil conditions can you suggest plants... Move across unprotected ground, removing soil particles control erosion 2012 - Drought tolerant, deer resistant Drought. Garden from deer in the early spring when its showy flowers bloom and give off heavy. Added bonus is that deer won ’ t eat it repair, and acidic soil conditions, are. Tolerant plants the cypress family and give off a powerful aroma eating the plant also is tolerant of,! Burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie ' ) is a list of seven great plants I to! Deciduous plants but keep their leaves until late fall, however, rise to the landscape season... In the right conditions tolerant plants a sensitive sense of smell, are... ) is one of the Forsythia shrub makes it an excellent choice hedges!