Native Plants

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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)
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)
Solidago nemoralis (gray goldenrod)
More Deer Resistant Questions
Deer resistant plants for Pittsburgh PA
January 30, 2012 - What shrubs can I plant on a wet slope that gets partial sun that will help control erosion? They need to be something the deer won't eat! We have lots of deer.
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June 22, 2008 - Is Crape Myrtle deer resistant?
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June 06, 2009 - I live in Tampa, FL and have a deer problem. I was wondering if you would give me some suggestions for deer resistant ground covers that are hearty and flower but most of all "DEER RESISTANT"!!!
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Deer resistant plants for wet area in northern California
July 10, 2010 - In Napa/Sonoma/Calif mountains, deer resistant plants, shrubs that tolerate much water and full sun? Area is in 'spring area' and a butterfly bush drowned. Thank you!
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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
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