Deer-Resistant Plants for Partial Shade

Plants for dappled light and two to six hours of sun, all rated for deer damage. Filter by type, height, and water needs. Split into narrower lists below.

More specific collections

Bradford Pear

Amaryllis

Hen and Chickens Fern

Black Sedge

Partial shade means a few hours of sun with shade either side of it, the light a wall or a tree throws. There are plants here for ground that dries out, and some of them cope with it. Most settle in and then look after themselves. The soil dries slowly, so the risk is rot rather than drought.

plants: 1,482
hardiness zones: 3 to 12

Sage

Assam Tea

Common St. John's-Wort

American Pokeweed

Deer-resistant plants do not have to be colourless. You will find plants flowering in spring through to late autumn, so the border keeps its colour long after the first flush. Most of the colour is white and purple.

spring: 677
summer: 624
late autumn: 293

Sedge

Cranberry Bush Viburnum

Clematis

Aconite

Perennials and shrubs do most of the work here, and the planting can be put together in almost endless ways. Carex, Viburnum and Clematis have the most entries, and borders and woodland edges are the commonest uses.

perennials: 1,169
borders: 644
woodland edges: 484