Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_40.gif)
Tuesday - November 17, 2009
From: Hillsborough, CA
Region: California
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Deer-resistant groundcover for sunny hillside in California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
we are looking for a deer resistant, drought resistant ground cover that we can grow from seed. we have a large,partial sunny hillside, well drained,that is cover with oak leaves and pine needles..and weeds. any suggestions? Thank you.ANSWER:
Grasses and sedges are one possibility. Deer generally avoid eating grasses. Here are a few native to your area and generally available as seeds:
Danthonia californica (California oatgrass) and you can see a photo here
Koeleria macrantha (prairie Junegrass)
Calamagrostis foliosa (leafy reed grass)
Deschampsia cespitosa (tufted hairgrass)
Deschampsia elongata (slender hairgrass)
Carex praegracilis (clustered field sedge) and here is more information and photos
Carex pansa (sanddune sedge) and here is an indepth article with photos by David Amme from Bay Natives.
You can see more possibilities for grasses available in your area at Yerba Buena Nursery in Woodside, California and Bay Natives in San Francisco, one of our Associate Suppliers. Larner Seeds in Bolinas, California, another of our Suppliers, lists most of the grasses recommended above and other California grass seeds for sale.
Las Pilitas Nursery in Santa Margarita and Escondido, California, another of our Suppliers, has an excellent article, California Gardens with Deer Problems, that has further recommendations for deer-resistant native plants. Here are a few from that article that would be good groundcovers:Clinopodium douglasii [syn. = Satureja douglasii] (yerba buena) and here are photos and more information
Monardella antonina (San Antonio Hills monardella)—deer avoid most members of the mint family (Family Lamiaceae) because of their strong flavor.
Ferns are also plants that deer avoid. Since they aren't flowering plants they can't be planted from seed.
Polystichum munitum (western swordfern)
Dryopteris arguta (coastal woodfern)
Adiantum jordanii (California maidenhair) and more information and photos
These ferns as well as some of the other recommendations are available as plants in your area at Bay Natives in San Franciso and Yerba Buena Nursery in Woodside. You can search for other suppliers in your area that might have seeds or plants of the above recommended species in our National Suppliers Directory.
More Deer Resistant Questions
Is Smooth Sumac deer resistant
September 01, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I noticed there was no deer resistant rating for smooth sumac in your plant data base. Aromatic sumac is rated as 'high'.
Do you have an opinion on deer resistance for smo...
view the full question and answer
Sun tolerant, rabbit-resistant plants in Plano, TX
November 07, 2008 - I live in Plano, Texas and am trying to identify sun tolerant plants for my landscape that are also rabbit resistant. The rabbits have taken over and destroy pansies, marigolds, etc. I am looking fo...
view the full question and answer
Deer Resistant Plants for Northern Virginia
September 22, 2010 - I'm looking for deer resistant shade plants in Northern Virginia. The deer have devoured my hostas, impatiens and native toad lily plants, day lilies.
view the full question and answer
How to protect roses from deer browsing
July 04, 2012 - I would like to plant knock out roses but I am concerned the deer will eat them? Advice?
view the full question and answer
Plants that are deer resistant for high desert climate in Utah
January 23, 2008 - We are building in a high desert climate in Dammeron Valley, Utah. We want plants that are both deer resistant and require little watering. Can you advise which plants (shrubs, flowers, cacti) that ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |