Native Plants

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.

rate this answer

Wednesday - May 13, 2009
From: Kewadin, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Deer resistant low-lying plants for Michigan
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I want to create a bed of low lying plants (under 4 ft.)in the front of my cottage. The soil is completely sandy and gets eastern sun in the AM. There are many deer in the area.ANSWER:
First of all, please visit our Recommended Species page and select Michigan from the map or pull-down menu. This will give you a list of more than 150 commercially available native plants for landscaping in your state. You can modify that list to include only plants that suit your needs by using the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option. For instance, you might want to pick "Herb" or "Fern" under Habit (general appearance) and/or "Part shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day" under Light requirement. Next, you need to check to see that the plants you choose are deer resistant. There is a Deer Resistant Species list on the Wildflower Center webpage. For a list more geared to your area there is Easywildflowers (self-described as a site "for and about wildflower seeds and wildflower potted plants native to the Midwest and Eastern USA" with a Deer Resistant Native Plants list. Also, there is a list of Deer-resistant Plants from the Deer-Resistant Landscape Nursery in Clare, Michigan, but you need to be aware that not all the plants listed there are native to Michigan.Here are a few recommendations from these lists:
Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)
Asarum canadense (Canadian wildginger)
Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf tickseed)
Liatris aspera (tall blazing star)
Lobelia siphilitica (great blue lobelia)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)
Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot)
Deer generally avoid ferns, so you could also use ferns (e.g., Athyrium filix-femina (common ladyfern)
and Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern)).
More Deer Resistant Questions
Will deer eat lemon cypress trees from Hayden ID
June 02, 2012 - Do deer eat lemon cypress trees? We do not think so since they are so spiny, but wanted a clarification.
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant, shade tolerant trees for part shade in Highland MD
March 29, 2013 - Deer resistant privacy trees for partial shady area in Highland, MD.
view the full question and answer
Groundcover and Butterfly attractants for LaRue Texas
May 02, 2012 - LaRue, TX - Would like a native low growing plant as a groundcover. I would like it for six+ hours of sun, drought tolerant, and ones that butterflies might enjoy, while deer won't. Some winter int...
view the full question and answer
Climbing vines that are deer resistant
July 12, 2013 - Please find plants that are climbing vines and are deer resistant
view the full question and answer
Non-native crape myrtle resistance to deer from Annapolis MD
April 06, 2013 - Is Crape Myrtle tree resistant to deers? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |