Low-Growing Deer-Resistant Ground Covers

Low ground covers that stay under knee height and tend to escape deer damage. Compare spread, sun needs, and hardiness zone.

Creeping Phlox

False Miterwort

Foamy Bells

Black Hellebore

Ground cover closes the gap between shrubs and lawn, and deer walk through it on the way to the border. There are flowering plants here, and most carry the colour through the season. Most need very little after their first year.

ground covers: 120
hardiness zones: 3 to 11

Deer-resistant ground covers do not have to be colourless. These ground covers flower in spring through to late autumn, and the last flowers are still there when the leaves start to turn. Most of the colour is purple, white and pink.

spring: 83
summer: 75
late autumn: 10

The variety runs deeper than the type suggests: the planting can be put together in almost endless ways. Carex, Sedum and Thymus have the most entries, and borders and mass planting are the commonest uses.

borders: 95
mass planting: 82