Deer Resistant Plants for Shade

Due to lower levels of sunlight, shady locations are one of the most challenging spaces to beautify with ornamental plantings. Add the possibility of hungry deer to the equation, and the number of plant selections available drops sharply. But there are a few options for deer resistant plants for shade. These are plants that can add beauty and interest to shady spaces and tend to be ignored by hungry deer.

Definition of Shade

Shade doesn’t just mean plants under the canopy of tall trees. Shady situations can also result from the shade cast by adjacent buildings, hedges, or a tall fence or wall. Plants grown on the north side of buildings usually spend most of the day in shade. These are areas that receive little or no direct sunlight, or, technically, less than two hours of direct sunlight in a day. These are perfect locations to use deer resistant plants for shade.

12 Deer Resistant Perennial Plants for Shade

Although just about any plant is fair game when food sources are scarce, deer generally prefer not to eat plants with a lot of leaf texture, hairy, or intensely fragrant foliage. The following is a list of shade-loving perennials that deer usually ignore: 

Epimedium, Bishop’s Hat, Barrenwort (Epimedium x rubrum)

Epimedium is a clump-forming perennial plant native to Japan. The plants produce delicate-looking wiry stems supporting a canopy of beautiful heart-shaped leaves. Foliage is evergreen in regions with mild winters. Small sprays of crimson and white flowers appear in spring.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Wild ginger is a real standout in heavily shaded locations! Grown for its beautiful heart-shaped leaves. Purplish brown flowers appear in spring. Native to North America. Appropriate near water and in damp woodland settings. Combines well with Hosta in woodland gardens. Effective under trees where lawn has difficulty establishing.

Hybrid Coral Bells (Heuchera hybrid)

Years of research by plant hybridizers has resulted in a dazzling array of Coral Bell hybrids. Perfect for gardeners who like to express their creativity through foliage color and texture. Heuchera are native to woodlands, prairies and mountains, so there are varieties suited to any garden. Airy clusters of little bell-shaped flowers add a blush of color in summer.

Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia)

Fern-like foliage combines well with dainty, heart-shaped flowers. The perfect choice for brightening lifeless shaded areas. A favorite for traditional perennial gardens. Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens. Makes a dependable mixed border plant. Combines well with Hosta in woodland gardens.

Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta)

The joy of toad lily is that it comes into bloom late in the summer, at a time when many other flowers are winding down for the season. It tolerates moist, shaded locations where many plants can’t thrive. Plant in a location where the charming, orchid-like flowers can be viewed up close. Effective under trees where lawn has difficulty establishing. Appropriate near water and in damp woodland settings.

Japanese Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum)

This gorgeous fern has leathery green fronds that resemble Holly leaves. Evergreen in warm climates and can be grown indoors as a houseplant in cold climates. Dependable color and texture looks great all season. Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens. Especially nice in waterside gardens. Looks great in rock gardens. Best planted in groups.

Astilbe, False Spirea (Astilbe x arendsii)

Astilbe is an excellent selection for moist shady areas. Flowers are available in shades of pink to red and bring great texture and high-impact color to dreary shady spots or woodland gardens. Very well suited for waterside planting, along streams or ponds. Plant in small groups or in a large mass for best effect. Finely cut foliage and feathery flowers add a soft texture to borders and woodland plantings.

Lenten Rose, Christmas Rose, Hellebore (Helleborus species)

Hellebore’s dense growing, palmate foliage brings lush coverage to shady gardens. Large, yet elegant saucer to cup-like blooms appear anywhere from late winter to mid-spring depending on the variety and your garden zone. The evergreen foliage is a welcome sight in the winter landscape. Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens. Looks great in rock gardens and informal, naturalized settings.

Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Lyre Flower (Dicentra spectabilis)

Bleeding heart produces arching stems of dangling heart-shaped blooms held high above decorative lobed foliage in spring. Best if sheltered from strong winds. Foliage may die back by midsummer, so plant amongst later maturing companions to fill the void. Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens.

Brunnera, Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla)

Brunnera, also known as Siberian bugloss, is a real standout in heavily shaded locations! Plants produce charming, dainty blue flowers and rich green crinkled, heart-shaped leaves. One of the best perennials for long-lasting interest. Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens. Especially nice in waterside gardens. A reliable groundcover for any location.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria saccharata)

A valuable perennial for moist, shady gardens. Spunky, spotted foliage assures eye catching, multi-season interest while clusters of dainty, funnel-shaped blooms are an added late winter to early spring bonus. Beautiful in shady borders and woodland gardens. A reliable groundcover for any location. Combines well with Hosta in woodland gardens.

Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

Native to Western North America, Salal is a bushy, low-growing shrub that provides multi-season interest. White blooms, blushed with pink are followed by edible purple berries. Spreads quickly in damp, shady locations. Appropriate near water and in damp woodland settings. Effective under trees where lawn has difficulty establishing.

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6 Deer Resistant Shrubs for Shade

It’s important to note that shrubs growing in shade are not likely to grow as fast as those growing with more sunlight. Their foliage may be sparser and their branches leggier than when grown in a sunnier position. Flowering shrubs may also produce fewer blooms. All of this should be taken into consideration when deciding what size shrub to plant when getting started. You may want to go a little larger to account for slow growth. The following is a list of shade-tolerant shrubs that deer typically ignore:

Viburnum, Arrowwood ‘Blue Muffin®’ (Viburnum dentatum ‘Christom’)

A rugged selection with multi-season appeal. Shrub forms a compact, rounded mound of deeply-veined leaves with serrated edges. Flat clusters of creamy-white flowers in spring are followed by bright blue berries in late summer. Foliage turns shades of orange, red and purple in autumn. A great choice for foundation plantings or hedges.

Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum)

A fine choice for the landscape offering excellent flower, fruit, and foliage! Highbush cranberry viburnum is an extremely hardy, versatile and low maintenance shrub. Plants provide high yields of tasty fruit. Dense foliage makes a great informal hedge row or privacy screen. Beautiful grouped or massed in a shrub border. Delicious in pies, tarts, jams, and preserves.

Holly (Ilex species)

Holly is available in a wide range of sizes and foliage colors. All types have beautiful, glossy foliage and many produce attractive berries that are a treat for birds and other wildlife. This is a great shrub for hedges or foundation plantings, or plant small groups of fruiting varieties to add color to the winter landscape. Cross pollination is needed to get berries so be sure to plant a male near the berry-producing female shrubs.

Sweet Box, Christmas Box (Sarcococca humilis)

Sweet box is a dense, quick spreading evergreen shrub, with dark lustrous foliage. A beautiful filler for shady spaces. Sweetly fragrant, pink-tinged white flowers in early spring are followed by decorative black fruit. Branch trimmings are very attractive used as Christmas décor. A great choice for foundation plantings or hedges.

Common Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

The sempervirens boxwood species is the most common boxwood shrub and a classic choice for evergreen hedging, edging and topiary. Very long-lived, and well suited to pruning for size and shape, Boxwood are a plant investment with long term returns. A classic favorite for landscape focal points. Looks beautiful in the garden as a specimen or clipped hedge. Excellent for planting along fences and walls.

Japanese Pieris, Lily Of The Valley Shrub (Pieris japonica)

This broad-leaved evergreen offers multi-season beauty with its dangling flower clusters in early spring. Pieris is sometimes called lily-of-the-valley shrub, as its clusters of bell-like blooms look similar. All varieties offer nice autumn hues and some produce vibrant red new growth. Makes a breathtaking specimen plant. Beautiful grouped or massed in a shrub border or foundation planting.

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Caring for Plants in Shady Locations

Successfully growing deer resistant plants for shade requires a thoughtful approach to their unique needs. Keep the following tips in mind when caring for your shrubs and perennial plants in shade:

• Start with choosing the right plant species—select varieties known to thrive with limited sunlight.
• Once planted, pay close attention to soil requirements. Shady locations often have cooler, moister soil, so you’ll want to ensure it drains well while retaining enough moisture for healthy root development.
• Amending the soil with organic matter each spring can improve both the soil structure and fertility to supply nutrients to your shade plants.
• When it comes to pruning shaded bushes, focus on removing dead or diseased branches and thinning overcrowded growth to promote better air circulation and light penetration. This not only keeps your shrubs healthy but also encourages more vigorous new growth even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

By understanding these specific requirements, you can maintain lush, attractive plants that enhance the beauty of your shade garden year-round.

Watering Plants in Shade

The watering needs of low-light plants differ from those in sunnier locations. Shaded plants typically require less frequent watering since evaporation rates are lower, but don’t let the soil become soggy. Regularly check moisture levels and adjust your schedule as needed, especially after long periods of heavy rain.

Getting Deer Resistant Plants for Shade Off to a Good Start

Deer often sample plants to determine if they’re to their liking. This can result in damage to the growing tips. Using temporary netting, cages, or repellants can help protect young plants from deer nibbling. For additional tips on protecting your landscape plants from deer see our article, Stop Uninvited Guests…Deer.