I grow west of Austin in scruffy limestone and caliche marl. Nasty stuff. No water to speak of. I have a shade and Part shade garden and I grow Phlox pilosa, Salvia madness, columbine, Algeratina havanense, beautyberry, alstroemeria, Texas betony many of the native sedges (cedar sedge) are good for a grassy effect. I really like Berkley sedge which isn't native to here, but it is fairly xeric. Nolina lindheimeri and Nolina texana will grow in shade. Big muhly will take some shade, but it grows long and wispy, but still nice, a different character than a sun grown plant.. Penstemon tennis, salvia gregii, salvia romeriana and salvia regla will take some shade. Agave bracetosa takes some shade. One can use evergreen sumac and aromatic sumac in shade. Even agarita will take bright shade. Frostweed and mexican oregano will like part shade.I have some wild asters that are seeding themselves. I like to use the understory trees like toothache tree, redbud, drummonds dogwood and Anacho orchid tree are an effective way to create a woodland feeling. I think that all of the above are deer resistant because I have gobs of deer and the are still with me.

What can I plant that is deer resistant? This list of deer resistant plants was compiled from Gardenweb postings and other sources. As you can see from the follow-up postings at the bottom of the list, RESISTANT is the key word. Deer can be quite the gourmets and yours may still be partial to some of the plants on this list. Deer that are hungry enough will eat everything bare from the ground up into the trees as high as they can reach. Many of the plants on this list are poisonous or medicinal. If a plant smells bad to you when you crush the leaf or stem, it probably smells just as bad to the deer. (P.S. Don't forget that rabbits, squirrels, groundhogs and other animals might be just as destructive as deer in your garden.) ANNUALS A Agastache foeniculum -- Anise Hyssop A Ageratum houstonianum -- Blue Floss Flower A Alternanthera ficoidea -- Josephs Coat A Angelonia angustifolia -- Angelonia A Antirrhinum majus -- Snapdragon A Asperula orientalis -- Annual Woodruff A Bidens ferulifolia -- Bidens A Brachycome iberidifolia -- Swan River Daisy A Calendula sp. -- Pot Marigold A Calibrachoa Hybrid -- Million Bells A Capsicum annuum -- Ornamental pepper A Catharanthus roseus -- Madagascar Vinca A Clarkia hybridus -- Four O'Clocks A Cleome hasslerana -- Spider Flower A Cleome serrulata - Bee plant A Coleus - A Coreopsis sp. -- Coreopsis A Cosmos bipinnatus -- Cosmos A Delphinium ajacis - Larkspur (annual Delphinium) A Felicia echinata -- Blue Marguerite A Gomphrena globosa -- Globe Amaranth A Gypsophila repens -- Baby's Breath A Helianthus annuus -- Common Sunflower A Helichrysum bracteatum -- Straw Flower A Hunnemania fumariifolia -- Mexican Tulip Poppy A Hypoestes phyllostachya -- Polka-Dot Plant A Impatiens balsama -- Balsam impatien A Ipomoea sp. -- Morning Glory A Lobularia maritima -- Sweet Alyssum A Matthiola incana -- Stock A Melampodium paludosum -- Butter Daisy A Nemesia strumosa -- Carnival Flower A Nicotiana alata -- Tobacco Flower A Nigella damascena -- Love-In-A-Mist A Oxypetalum caeruleum -- Southern Star A Papaver nudicaule -- Iceland Poppy A Papaver Rhoeas -- Corn Poppy A Papaver somniferum -- Opium Poppy A Phlox drummondii -- Annual Phlox A Polygonum capitatum -- Pinkhead Knotweed A Ricinus communis -- Castor Bean A Ruellia brittoniana A Ruellia nudiflora -- Wild Petunia A Senecio cineraria -- Dusty Miller A Tagetes erecta -- African Marigold A Tagetes lemmonii -- Copper Canyon Daisy A Tagetes lucida - Mexican Marigold A Tagetes patula -- French Marigold A Tagetes signata -- Signet Marigold A Tithonia diversifolia -- Mexican sunflower A Verbena bonariensis -- Verbena A Verbena rigida -- Verbena Vervain A Vinca rosea -- Madagascar periwinkle A Xeranthemum annuum -- Immortelle A Zinnia acerosa -- Native Zinnia A Zinnia angustifolia -- Star Zinnia A Zinnia grandiflora A Zinnia haageana -- Mexican Zinnia A Zinnia linearis -- Narrowleaf Zinnia BIENNIALS - may sometimes perennialize or reseed B Alcea rosea -- Hollyhock B Daucus carota - Queen Anne's Lace B Digitalis purpurea -- Foxglove B Digitalis sp. -- Perennial Foxglove B Myosotis sylvatica -- Forget-Me-Not FERNS F Adiantum pedatum -- Maiden Hair Fern F Cyrtomium falicatum -- Holly Fern F Dryopteris sp. -- Wood Fern F Matteuccia pennsylvanica -- Ostrich Fern F Woodwardia sp. -- Chain Fern GRASSES - perennial and annual G Acorus calamus -- Gardener's Grass G Andropogon gerardi -- Big Bluestem Grass G Bouteloua curtipendula -- Sideoats Grama Grass G Chasmanthium latifolium -- Inland Seaoats Grass G Festuca ovina 'glauca' -- Blue Fescue Grass G Lipidium montanum -- Western Peppergrass G Miscanthus sp. -- Ornamental Grass G Pennisetum orientale -- Fountain Grass G Pennisetum sp. -- Annual Fountain Grass G Schizachryium scoparium -- Little Bluestem Grass G Stipa tenuissima -- Feathergrass HERB - Annual HA Basil HA Borago officinalis -- Borage HA Chamomile HA Origanum spp. -- Marjoram HA Perilla frutescens -- Beefsteak Plant HERB - Perennial HP Allium schoenoprasum -- Chives HP Artemisia spp. -- Wormwood (or Sage) HP Cichorium intybus - Chicory HP Lavandula spp. -- Lavender HP Mentha spp. - Spearmints, peppermints, etc HP Nepeta spp. -- Catmint HP Rosmarinus officinalis -- Rosemary HP Santolina chamaecyparissus -- Silver Santolina HP Santolina virens -- Green Santolina HP Satureia spp. -- Savory HP Tanacetum vulgare -- Tansy HP Teucrium spp. -- Germander HP Thymus spp. -- Thyme PERENNIALS P Achillea filipendulina -- Fernleaf Yarrow P Achillea millefolium -- Common Yarrow P Aconitum sp. -- Monkshood P Ageratum sp. -- Perennial Ageraturm P Ajuga reptans -- Bugleweed P Alchemilla sp. -- Lady's Mantle P Allium sp. -- Flowering Onion P Alyssum saxatile -- Golden Alyssum P Amsonia illustris -- Showy Blue Star P Amsonia tabernaemontana -- Willow Amsonia P Anagallis monellii -- Pimpernel P Anaphalis triplinervis -- Pearly Everlasting P Anemone sp. -- Windflower P Anthemis tinctoria - Golden Marguerite P Apocynum androsaemilolium -- Dogbane P Aqueligia spp. -- Columbine P Arabis spp. -- Rock Cress P Argemone texana -- White Prickly Poppy P Arisaema spp. -- Jack-in-the-pulpit P Armeria maritima -- Sea Thrift P Artemisia ludoviciana -- White Sage P Asarum canadense -- Native ginger P Asarum europaeum -- European Wild Ginger P Aster spp. P Astilbe spp. P Aubretia sp. -- False Rockcress P Baptisia spp. -- False Indigo P Bergenia sp. -- Pigsqueak P Boltonia P Caltha palustris P Camassia spp. -- Quamash P Campanula carpatica -- Harebell P Campanula media -- Canterbury Bells P Centaurea spp. -- Knapweed P Centranthus ruber -- Jupiter's beard P Cerastium tomentosum -- Snow-In-Summer P Cheiranthus chieranthoides -- Wallflower P Chelidnium majus -- Celandine Poppy P Chelone spp. -- Turtlehead P Chrysanthemum P Chrysanthemum leucanthemum -- Ox-eye Daisy P Cimicifuga spp. -- Bugbane, Cohosh P Clematis recta -- Shrub clematis P Colchicum autumnale -- Autumn Crocus P Convallaria majus -- Lily-Of-The-Valley P Corydalis lutea -- Gold Bleeding Heart P Cynoglossum amabile -- Chinese Forget-Me-Not P Cynoglossum nervosum -- Houndstongue P Delphinium spp. -- Delphinium P Dianthus spp. -- Pinks P Dicentra spp. -- Bleeding Heart P Dictamnus albus -- White Gas Plant P Echinacea spp. - Cone Flowers P Echinops ritro -- Globe Thistle P Epimedium sp. -- Bishop's Hat P Equisetum arvense -- Horsetail P Eranthis hyemalis -- Winter Aconite P Erigeron modestus -- Plains Fleabane P Eupatorium coelestinum -- Mistflower P Eupatorium perforlifum -- Joe-Pye-Weed P Euphorbia marginata -- Snow-On-The-Mountain P Euphorbia spp. -- Spurge P Excium vulgare L. -- Viper's Bugloss P Filapendula spp. -- Meadowsweet P Fritillaria spp. -- Fritillary P Gaillardia pulchella -- Blanket Flower P Galanthus nivalis -- Common Snowdrop P Gaura lindheimeri P Geranium spp. -- Hardy Geraniums P Helenium sp. -- Helen's flower P Helianthus angustifolius -- Swamp Sunflower P Helleborus sp. -- Hellebore P Hepatica sp. -- P Heuchera sp. -- Coral Bells P Heucherella x (Heuchera x Tiarella) P Hyacinthoides sp. -- Spanish Bluebell and English Bluebell P Hyacithus orientalis -- Hyacinth P Hypericum sp. -- St. John's Wort P Inula helenium -- Elecampane P Iris sibirica,ensata -- Iris Japanese,Siberian, possibly beardeds P Lamium maculatum -- Deadnettle P Leucanthemum sp. -- Shasta daisy P Liatris sp. -- Gayfeather P Limonium latifolium -- Sea Lavender P Limonium sinuatum -- Statice P Linaria macroccana -- Toad Flax P Linum -- Flax P Linum sulcatum -- Yellow Prairie Flax P Liriope P Lobelia cardinalis - Red Cardinal Flower P Lobelia erinus -- Lobelia P Lobelia siphilitica - Blue Cardinal Flower P Lupinus sp. -- Lupine, Texas Bluebonnet P Lychnis chalcedonica -- Maltese cross P Lychnis sp. -- Rose Campion P Lycoris sp. -- Resurrection lily or Naked Lady P Macleaya cordata -- Plume Poppy P Melampodium leucanthum -- Blackfoot Daisy P Mertensia virginiana - Virginia bluebells P Mirabilis jalapa -- Four-o-clock or Marvel-of-Peru P Monarda sp. -- Bee Balm P Muscari sp. -- Grape Hyacinth P Narcissus sp. -- Narcissus & Daffodils P Oenothera sp. -- Evening Primrose P Ophiopogon japonica - Mondo Grass P Pachysandra sp. P Paeonia sp. -- Peony P Papaver orientale -- Oriental Poppy P Penstemon sp. -- Penstemon P Penstemon x gloxinoides -- Hybrid Penstemon P Perovskia atriplicifolia -- Russian Sage P Phlomis spp. P Phlox Paniculata -- Garden phlox P Physostegia virginiana -- Obedient Plant P Platycodon grandiflorus -- Balloon Flower P Polomium sp -- Jacobs Ladder P Polygonatum sp. -- Solomon's Seal P Potentilla fruticosa -- Bush Cinquefoil P Potentilla sp. P Pulmonaria sp. -- Lungwort P Pulsatilla vulgaris -- Pasque Flower P Ranunculus sp. -- Buttercups P Rudbeckia lacinata -- Goldenglow P Rudbeckia sp. -- Black-eyed Susan P Saponaria ocymoides -- Rock Soapwort P Saponaria officinalis -- Bouncing Bet P Scabiosa P Scutellaria seleniana -- Skullcap P Scutellaria suffrutescens -- Pink skullcap P Sedum kamtschaticum -- Yellow Stonecrop P Sempervivum sp. Hen and chickens (spiny varieties) P Sidalcea P Silene armeria P Solidago sp. -- Goldenrod P Stachys byzantina -- Lamb's Ear P Stachys coccinea -- Texas Betony P Symphytum spp. - Comfrey P Tiarella sp. -- P Trandescantia sp. -- P Tricyrtis sp. -- Toad Lily P Trillium sp. -- Trillium P Verbascum thapsus -- Common Mullein P Vinca minor -- Periwinkle P Viola sp -- some perennial violets, not pansies P Yucca sp. -- Yucca TENDER PERENNIALS -- act as annuals in zones 7,6,5, but can be overwintered indoors. Usually sold as annuals. TP Agapanthus spp. -- Lily of the Nile TP Agastache cana -- Perennial Agastache TP Agave leuchugilla -- Agave TP Agave scabra -- Century Plant TP Asparagus springerii -- Asparagus fern TP Begonia x semperflorens -- Wax Begonia TP Begonia x tuberhybrida -- Tuber Begonia TP Brugmansia spp. TP Brugmansia versicolor -- Angels Trumpet TP Caesalpinia gilliesii -- Bird of Paradise TP Dahlia sp. -- Dahlia TP Datura innoxia TP Datura meteloides -- Downy Thorn Apple TP Datura metheioldes TP Datura quercifolia TP Datura wrightii TP Hesperaloe paviflora -- Red Yucca TP Lantana camara -- Lantana TP Lantana montevidensis -- Weeping Lantana TP Osteospermum sp. -- African daisy TP Pelargonium sp. -- Geranium TP Pentas lanceolata -- Egyptian Star Cluster TP Plumbago auriculata -- Cape Plumbago TP Salvia azurea v.pitcheriii -- Pitcher Sage TP Salvia ballotaeflora -- Blue Shrub Sage TP Salvia chamaedryoides -- Gray Shrub Sage TP Salvia coccinea -- Flowering Sage TP Salvia discolor -- Silver Peruvian Sage TP Salvia farinacea -- Mealycup Sage TP Salvia greggii -- Autumn Sage TP Salvia guaranitica -- Bog Sage TP Salvia leucanthia -- Mexican Bush Sage TP Salvia lycioides -- Canyon Sage TP Salvia lyrata -- Lyre-leaf Sage TP Salvia patens -- Gentian Sage TP Salvia regla -- Mountain Sage TP Salvia roemeriana -- Cedar Sage TP Salvia sp. -- Perennial Salvia and Sages TP Salvia splendens -- Scarlet Sage TP Salvia uliginosa -- Bog Sage TP Salvia viridis -- Joseph Sage TP Zantedeschia aethiopica -- Calla Lily SHRUBS S Abelia x grandiflora -- Glossy Abelia S Amelanchier sp. -- Serviceberry S Amorpha fruticosa -- Indigobush S Arctostaphylos uva-ursi -- Bearberry S Berberis vulgaris -- Common Barberry (Caution: Invasive.) S Buddleia sp. -- Butterfly-Bush S Buxus sempervirens -- Common Boxwood S Callicarpa americana -- American Beautybush S Callicarpa japonica -- Japanese Beautyberry S Calluna sp. -- Heather S Calluna vulgaris -- Scotch Heather S Caryopteris sp. -- Blue Mist Caryopteris S Cephalanthus occidentalis -- Buttonbush S Chaenomeles sp. -- Flowering Quince S Clethra sp. -- Sweet Pepperbush S Cotoneaster apiculatus -- Cranberry Cotoneaster S Cotoneaster glaucophyllus S Cotoneaster horizontalis -- Rockspray Cotoneaster S Cotoneaster sp. -- Cotoneaster S Crataegus laevigata -- English Hawthorn S Crataegus sp. -- Hawthorn S Cytisus scoparius - Broom S Daphne x burkwoodi -- Daphne S Deutzia gracilis -- Slender Deutzia S Deutzia scabra -- Fuzzy Deutzia S Enkianthus campanulatus -- Redvein Enkianthus S Erica sp. -- Heather S Euonymus alatus -- Burning Bush S Ficus caria -- Common Fig S Forsythia sp. -- Forsythia S Hibiscus syriacus -- Rose of Sharon S Itea virginica -- Virginia Sweetspire S Kalmia latifolia -- Mountain Laurel S Kerria japonica -- Japanese Kerria S Kochia scoparia -- Burning Bush S Kolkwitzia amabilis -- Beautybush S Larrea tridentata -- Creosote Bush S Leucothoe fontanesiana -- Drooping Leucothoe S Ligustrum amurense -- Amur Privet S Ligustrum vulgare -- Privet S Lindera benzoin -- Spicebush S Mahonia aquifolium -- Oregon Grapeholly S Mahonia sp. -- Mahonia S Myrica sp. -- Bayberry S Nandina sp. S Pieris japonica -- Japanese Andromeda S Prunus caroliniana -- American Cherry Laurel S Pyracantha coccinea -- Scarlet Firethorn S Rhus aromatica -- Aromatic Sumac S Rhus virens -- Evergreen Sumac S Rosa spinosissima -- Scotch Rose S Sambacus canadensis -- Elderberry S Spiraea prunifolia -- Bridalwreath Spirea S Spiraea sp. -- Spirea S Spiraea x bumalda -- Bumald Spirea S Syringa sp. -- Lilac S Viburnum sp. TREES T Abies procera -- Noble Fir T Acer saccharinum -- Silver Maple T Aesculus arguta -- White Buckeye T Aesculus hippocastanum -- Horsechestnut T Aesculus pavia -- Red Buckeye T Asimina triloba -- Pawpaw T Betula lenta -- Sweet Birch T Betula papyrifera -- Paperbark Birch T Betula pendula -- European White Birch T Cercis canadensis -- Eastern Redbud T Chamaecyparis sp. -- False Cypress T Cornus kousa -- Kousa Dogwood T Cornus sericea -- Red-twig Dogwood T Cotinus coggygria -- Smoke Tree T Cotinus obovatus -- Smoke Tree T Cryptomeria japonica -- Japanese Cedar T Fagus sylvatica asplenifolia -- European Cutleaf Beech T Fagus sylvatica atropunicea -- European Copper Beech T Fagus sylvatica pendula -- European Weeping Beech T Fraxinus pennsylvanica -- Green Ash T Ginkgo biloba -- Maidenhair Tree T Ilex decidua -- Possum Haw T Ilex sp. -- Holly T Ilex vomitoria -- Yaupon Holly T Juniperus spp. T Juniperus virginiana -- Eastern Red Cedar T Koelreuteria paniculata -- Panicled Goldenraintree T Lagerstroemia sp. -- Crape Myrtle T Liquidambar styraciflua -- Sweetgum T Magnolia grandiflora T Malus spp. T Melia azedarach -- Chinaberry Tree T Metasequoia glyptostroboides -- Dawn Redwood T Picea abies -- Norway Spruce T Picea abies nidiformis -- Birds Nest Spruce T Picea glauca -- White Spruce T Picea pungens glauca -- Colorado Blue Spruce T Pinus elderica -- Afghan pine T Pinus nigra -- Austrian Pine T Pinus resinosa -- Red Pine T Pinus rigida -- Pitch Pine T Pinus strobus -- Eastern White Pine T Pinus sylvestris -- Scots Pine T Pistacia texenanus -- Texas Pistachio T Prunus persica -- Peach T Prunus spp. T Pyrus calleryana bradfordii -- Bradford Pear T Pyrus communis -- Common Pear T Quercus prinus -- Chestnut Oak T Quercus rubra -- Red Oak T Robinia hispida -- Rose acacia T Sassafras albidum -- Common Sassafras T Sciadopitys verticillata -- Umbrella Pine T Tamarix ramosissima -- Tamarisk T Taxodium distichum -- Bald Cypress T Tilia cordata -- Littleleaf Linden T Truja spp. -- Cedar T Vitex negundo -- Chastetree T Zelkova serrata -- Japanese Zelkova VINES V Bignonia capreolata -- Cross vine V Campsis radicans -- Trumpet Creeper V Clematis sp. V Ficus pumila -- Fig vine V Gelsemimum sempervirens -- Carolina Jasmine V Hydrangea anomala petiolaris -- Climbing Hydrangea V Lonicera semipervirens -- Trumpet Honeysuckle V Parthenocissus quinquefolia -- Virginia Creeper V Parthenocissus tricuspidata -- Boston Ivy V Wisteria floribunda -- Japanese Wisteria V Wisteria macrostachya UNKNOWNS These are plants from a list that was compiled for Texas. Many of these plants are unfamiliar to the Author -- any information about them appreciated. ? Actae pachpoda spp -- Baneberry ? Adonis annua -- Pheasant's Eye ? Allamanda cathartica ? Anisacanthus wrightii ? Anisodontea ? Antigonon leptopus ? Argemone mexicana -- Yellow Prickly Poppy ? Argemone sanguinea -- Rose Prickly Poppy ? Argyranthemum frutescens -- Butterfly daisy ? Aristida purpurea ? Asclepias asperula ? Asclepias linaria -- Pineleaf Milkweed ? Asclepias sublata ? Asclepias tuberosa -- Butterfly Weed ? Asclepias virdii -- Green Milkweed ? Baccharis halimifilia ? Baileya multiradiata -- Desert Marigold ? Berberis swaseyi -- Texas Barberry ? Bervberus trifoliolata ? Bucharest sarothroides ? Buchloe dactyliodes -- Buffalo Grass ? Calamagrostis x acutiflora -- Reed Grass ? Carduus nutans -- Nodding Thistle ? Carduus texanum -- Texas Thistle ? Cassia corymbosa - Common Tree Senna ? Cassia lindheimeriana -- Lindheimer Senna ? Cassia roemeriana - Two Leaved Senna ? Centaurea melitensis - Tocalote Thistle ? Centaurea texanum - Texas Thistle ? Centaurium beyrichii - Mountain Pink ? Cestrum nocturnum -- Night Blooming Jasmine ? Chrysanthemum mexicana ? Cirsium japonicum -- Sea Thistle ? Cladrastis kentukea -- Yellowwood ? Comptonia peregrina -- Sweet Fern ? Cooperia drummondii -- Rain Lily ? Cooperia pedunculata - Rain Lily ? Corydalis sempervirens ? Dalea frutescens -- Black Dalea ? Dalea greggii -- Gregg Dalea ? Dasylirion texanum ? Descuraninia pinnata ? Dyschoriste linearis ? Dyssodia pentachaeta ? Dyssodia setifolia v radiata ? Emilia javanica -- Tassel Flower ? Ericameria laricifolia ? Erthrina herbacea ? Erygium heterophyllum - Mexican Thistle ? Eryngium leavenworthii -- Eryngo ? Escholzia californica -- California poppy ? Eupatorium rugosum -- White Snakeroot ? Eupatorium wrightii -- White Mistflower ? Euphorbia antisyphilitica ? Euphorbia bicolor -- Snow-on-the-Prairie ? Europs spp. ? Eustoma grandiflora -- Lisianthius ? Evolvulus glomeratus -- Evolvulus ? Eysenhardtia texana -- Texas Kidneywood ? Flourensia cernua -- Tarbush ? Gloriosa supurba L. -- Gloriosa Lily ? Grindelia lanceolata ? Gutierezia sarothrea ? Habranthus texanus -- Copper Rain Lily ? Helenium amarum -- Bitterweed ? Helianthus maximilliani -- Maximilian's Sunflower ? Heterotheca latifolia -- Golden Aster ? Hymenoxys scaposa ? Iscoma wrightii ? Jasminum mesyni ? Jatropha cardiophylla ? Jatropha cuneata ? Jatropha dioica ? Lavatera trimestris -- Tree Mallow ? Leucophyllum frutescens ? Lithospermum incisum -- Fringed Puccoon ? Lycium andersonii ? Lycium berlandieri ? Lycium fremontii ? Lycium halimfolium ? Machaeranthera phyllocephala -- Camphor Daisy ? Machaeranthera tanaceifolia -- Tahoka Daisy ? Malvaviscus drummondii ? Merremia aurea -- Yellow Morning Glory ? Moluccella laevia -- Bells of Ireland ? Muhlenbergia capillaris ? Muhlenbergia dubia ? Muhlenbergia dubiodes ? Muhlenbergia lindheimeri ? Muhlenbergia rigens ? Nephrolepis -- Sword fern ? Nierembergia hippomanica -- Cup Flower ? Nyctagina capitata ? Oxytropis lambertii ? Palafoxia hookeriana ? Parkinsonia aculeata ? Parrotia persica -- Persian Parrotia ? Pectis angustifolia ? Perezia runcinata ? Perezia wrightii ? Phyla nodiflora v. incisa ? Physalis spp. -- Ground Cherry ? Physostegia intermedia ? Picradeniopsis spp. ? Pluchea camphorata -- Camphor Weed ? Pluchea purpurascens -- Marsh Fleabane ? Polaniaia uniglandulosa ? Poliomintha longifolia -- Mexican Oregano ? Polytaenia nuttallii ? Prionopsis ciliata ? Prospis glandulosa ? Psilostrophe tagetina ? Psoralea tenuiflora ? Pteridium auilinum ? Pteridium sp. -- Bracken ? Quincula lobata ? Sanvitalia procumbens -- Creeping Zinnia ? Sapindus drummondii -- Soapberry ? Senecio ampullaaceus -- Texas Squaw Weed ? Senecio jacobea -- Tansy Ragwort ? Senecio leucostachys -- Dusty Miller ? Silphium albifloum -- Rosin Weed ? Silphium simpsonii v.wrightii ? Solandra guttata ? Solandra spp. ? Solanum elaeanifolium -- Silver-leaved Nightshade ? Solanum jasminoides -- Potato Vine ? Solanum speudocapsicum -- Jerusalem Cherry ? Sophora secundiflora -- Texas Mountain Laurel ? Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) ? Stephanandra incisa -- Cutleaf Stephanandra ? Stewartia pseudocamellia -- Japanese Stewartia ? Symphoricarpos albus ? Symphoricarpos albus -- Common Snowberry ? Tecoma stans ? Tephorosia lindheimerie ? Thalictrum dasycarpum ? Thelesperma filifolium ? Thymophylla tenuiloba -- Dahlberg Daisy ? Ungnadia speciosa -- Mexican Buckeye ? Veratrum viride ? Verbena bipinnatifida -- Prairie Verbena ? Verbena peruviana -- Peruvian verbena ? Verbena sp, -- Verbena ? Verbena tenuisecta -- Moss verbena ? Verbesina enceliodies ? Verbesina virginia ? Vernonia baldwinii -- Western Ironweed ? Vernonia lindheimeri -- Woolly Ironweed ? Veronica incana -- Woody Veronica ? Viburnum rufidulum -- Rusty Blackhaw ? Viguiera denata ? Wedelia texana ? Xanthocephalum dracunculiodes ? Zexmania hispida Follow-Up Postings: *Posted by: LynnT Z6A MD (My Page) on Mon, May 13, 02 at 8:59 Great list! I was all ready to quibble and say that I thought Four-O'clocks were Mirabilis, not Clarkia, when I saw you'd got Mirabilis listed as Four-oclocks under annuals. The joy of common names! Have you ever grown clarkia? I understand they do OK here and are really attractive in part-shade. I can tell you from personal experience that deer do eat chelone when the hosta are all gone/protected. *Posted by: Periwinkles z6MD (My Page) on Fri, May 24, 02 at 11:25 The deer here love my Burning Bushes - Euonymous Alatus and also my Oakleaf Hydrangeas. They also eat the white pines, hostas, and even a Yew I thought was deer-proof! * Posted by: mtngirl z6VA (My Page) on Fri, May 24, 02 at 20:30 The deer eat our burning bushes, too. They also devoured a barberry, and hostas are out of the question. One day last winter we looked out our window and saw a doe eating birdseed out of one of our bird feeders! I think if they get hungry enough they will eat just about anything. * Posted by: Madgardenr z7WDC (My Page) on Fri, May 24, 02 at 21:56 I think it's right that if deer are hungry enough, they will eat anything. What's tasty is apparently a regional issue, also, so you might try checking your local (in my case, Maryland Cooperative Extension's Web site) extension service for a list of plants that are "deer candy" or avoided by deer in your area. I've had them nibble on Japanese white spiraea (Spiraea albiflora) and the usual tulip and hosta foliage. But recently I've had good experience with treating susceptible plants with Repellex (not ground-toxic, just tastes and smells repulsive) tablets and spray. * Posted by: dadahlia 5 PA (My Page) on Sun, May 26, 02 at 4:46 They have never touched my canna. * Posted by: hannah Z6 PA (My Page) on Sun, May 26, 02 at 11:16 Thanks for the list but, I beg to differ with Siberian & Japanese Iris being deer resistant...the little buggers walk right up to my front beds and systematically chomp off each bloom...nubs is what i'm left with...have to leave front flood lights on and that makes for a rough night's sleep, considering i don't like curtains. ..LOL * Posted by: dadahlia 5 PA (My Page) on Mon, May 27, 02 at 1:51 I have counted as many as twenty deer out there and they have never touched any of the iris or lilies. They prefer my neighbors grass. She has it professionally taken care of every week. I wish she would stop. Our yards are attached and they wander up this way frequently. Never touched my TB, siberian or lilies. * Posted by: Elaine8 PNW-Zone 8-Wa (My Page) on Mon, May 27, 02 at 5:59 In Washington State, the Deer love Heuchera (Any kind). Wouldn't it be the same in other areas? * Posted by: razmataz z7 VA (My Page) on Sun, Aug 11, 02 at 22:12 What a find! Thank you so much. Moved from California to Virginia last year, so much to learn! Deer are different in different areas. For example mule deer in CA usually won't touch impatiens, but white tail in VA LOVE it. All of them will resort to anything in a drought years. * Posted by: whinny z7 NJ (My Page) on Tue, Aug 13, 02 at 19:40 I noticed that the young deer will try just about anything, so while they may not like it, they may destroy a valued plant while sampling it. I spent a lot of money to fence in my back yard. The only sure way. (I hope) Also, they won't eat my iris, but they eat certain daylilies, but not others.

I think it's amazing this thread went on so long with no mention of St Augustine. UC Verde and all the other buffalo and prairie grasses are for full sun. Kikuyu is one of the most invasive imported pest plants short of kudzu. The others mentioned are ground covers that do not repair themselves. Dichondra will die annually from flea beetle. They wipe it out faster than you can diagnose it, but it returns from seed. Fescue, in my opinion should be formally outlawed in CA unless you live west of the 5 in San Diego and Orange counties and west of the 405 in LA. North of the 10 it can be grown on the west slopes of the coastal range, but not in the valleys. St Augustine is a real turf grass, unlike many of the alternates mentioned. It spreads to repair itself under the dog feet, is very shade tolerant, also sun tolerant, and it will crowd out other grasses when mowed at the mower's highest setting. St Aug comes as pieces of sod on a pallet. Cost is about a dollar per piece covering about 2 square feet. It spreads 10 to 15 feet per year in all directions, so if you don't cover the entire area at one time, it will take over and cover for you. St Aug takes as much water as any turf grass if you want it to remain green. If you stop watering it for more than a month, it might die completely, so it differs from other grasses in that regard. But I have revived it from beyond the grave at my my new residence in the Texas Hill Country. St Augustine is considered to be a water hog, but that is pure myth. All grasses need 1 inch of water, once a week, in the hottest heat of summer. This goes for the cool season grasses in the north and the warm season grasses in the south. In Phoenix both bermuda and St Augustine need 1 inch every 4-5 days, but in the rest of the country it only needs it once a week. This time of year in your area you should be watering 1 inch, all at once, every 2-3 weeks. The problem with fescue is it needs water 3x per week in the summer and that dries up your aquifers and lakes. Not sure why you think you have clay, but you likely don't. I don't recall any brick factories in your area, so I'm skeptical. After 12 years of moderating three lawn forums, fewer than 10 writers really had clay. Your soil might have clay like properties, but those can be fixed. Even real clay can be fixed, but you have to have a good soil test along with a good reading of the soil test before you can fix it. 9 times out of 10 people who think they have clay have no clay at all but they do have fine silt and a salt imbalance (calcium, sodium, magnesium, and potassium). You can't know what the problem is without the chemistry test. A secondary issue causing hard soil is allowing the soil to dry completely such that the beneficial microbes in the soil are depleted and unhealthy. That can be fixed by spraying the soil with any clear shampoo at a rate of 3 ounces per 1,000 square feet. Follow that with 1/2 to 1 inch of water and let it go for 3 weeks. At the same time feed the soil with an organic fertilizer like alfalfa pellets, corn meal, soybean meal, or even Milorganite. Compost and/or manure won't do the same thing as the fertilizer. The deep moisture creates a perfect environment for the microbes. The organic fertilizer feeds them. Hard soil is easy to fix. The best soil test in the US is from Logan Labs in Ohio. Yes, it's been tested against all the other labs. Get their $25 test and post the results on the Lawn Care forum and you'll get about $250 worth of free advice from people who know specifically what to apply, when, how much, how often, and where to get the stuff. If you want to see some alternate grasses in action, visit Descanso Gardens and the Huntington Library in Pasadena.

These are great suggestions, thank you! I think I will try at least one. Why not, since they are free and I'm not in dire need of them elsewhere. Yes, the apple tree roots make life tough for plants in this area. Digging is not so hard, but it sure does look like the life is sucked out of some of the residents. I have soaker hoses in there and I keep it moist, but things are still not happy. I'm trying an experiment with a few plants. I'm planting them in a generously-sized pot, then nesting that pot inside another of the same size, but with a piece of screen in between. I'm figuring that the screen will limit tree roots coming up into the pot, and with two pots I can take out the upper pot from time to time and break off any roots that have come in. I love the plant suggestions. A few were on my list (astrantia, geranium, dicentra 'Luxuriant') but now you've given me several more to think about. Thank you! The spot is currently populated by volunteer columbine and lupine and looks stunning in the spring. But by late summer it's dreary. It's especially dreary now, since I took out all the plants that were too eaten and too shady. So, it's pretty much a blank slate now. Photo: Thanks again! Further ideas are totally welcome!