Deer-Resistant Ground Covers for Partial Shade

Ground covers for dappled light that tend to escape deer damage. See spread, height, and water needs for each one.

Big Blue

Speedwell

Halberd-Leaf Violet

Alumroot

Ground cover is the planting that holds bare soil, which is the part of a garden that washes first. These ground covers also take partial shade. There are plants here for ground that dries out, and some of them cope with it. Most are chosen for the flowers.

ground covers: 189
hardiness zones: 3 to 12

Carnation

Apricot Vine

Sweet Scented Bed Straw

Grape Hyacinth

Deer-resistant ground covers do not have to be colourless. You can find ground covers here that flower in spring through to late autumn, and the last of them hold when most of the border has gone over. Most of the colour is white, purple and pink.

spring: 118
summer: 107
late autumn: 30

A single group, but not a single look: the planting can be put together in almost endless ways. Carex, Viola and Asarum have the most entries, and borders and mass planting are the commonest uses.

borders: 132
mass planting: 122