Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Sunday - June 28, 2009

From: Pittsburgh, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Deer resistant plants for erosion control on steep hill
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I would like control a steep hill behind my house that is red clay, northern exposure with little sun. What plants would you recommend that deer will not eat?

ANSWER:

Grasses are ideal for erosion control because of their extensive fibrous root systems.  Additionally, deer rarely eat grasses.  Below are grasses native to Pennsylvania that will grow in clay soils in part shade (2 to 6 hours of sun per day).

Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)

Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye)

Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)

Deer also rarely eat ferns and ferns are ideally suited for shady sites.  Here are a few that are native to Pennsylvania.

Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern)

Osmunda regalis (royal fern)

Pteridium aquilinum (western brackenfern)

Woodwardia areolata (netted chainfern)

Here are other plants that you could add to the grass or fern mix that are native to Pennsylvania and deer resistant.

Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo)

Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)

Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)

Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)

Ratibida columnifera (upright prairie coneflower)

Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)

Salvia lyrata (lyreleaf sage)

Solidago nemoralis (gray goldenrod)


Bouteloua curtipendula

Chasmanthium latifolium

Elymus canadensis

Schizachyrium scoparium

Osmunda cinnamomea

Osmunda regalis

Pteridium aquilinum

Woodwardia areolata

Amorpha fruticosa

Asclepias tuberosa

Monarda fistulosa

Oenothera speciosa

Ratibida columnifera

Phyla nodiflora

Salvia lyrata

Solidago nemoralis

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Deer Resistant Questions

Is India Hawthorne a deer-resistant plant?
July 03, 2011 - Is India Hawthorne a deer resistant plant in Beaufort County South Carolina?
view the full question and answer

Deer Resistant Plants for East Texas
March 29, 2010 - We have a lake house at Lake Cypress Springs, between Mt Vernon and Winnsboro, in East Texas. Can you suggest some deer-resistant plants/shrubs that have the potential to last? I understand deer wil...
view the full question and answer

Is non-native Chinese fringe flower deer resistant from Austin
April 05, 2011 - Is Chinese fringe flower (chinense var. rubrum) considered to be deer resistant?
view the full question and answer

Shade Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Evergreen Hedge Suggestions for CT
April 30, 2013 - I think I am asking for a lot, but here we go… Is there a deer tolerant evergreen that can grow in the shade and create a hedge of 5 feet tall here in CT? I am not opposed to ivy covering a fence if t...
view the full question and answer

Need deer resistant plants for a shady north facing garden in Raliegh, NC.
June 22, 2012 - I am in need of Deer Resistant Native Shade plants for a North Facing Garden. It is 3 feet wide by 20 feet long. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you, Eaten Alive
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.