10 Beautiful Deer Resistant Flowers For Shade

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Are you struggling to find beautiful flowers that will thrive in your shady garden without constantly falling prey to nibbling deer? Luckily, there are some stunning flowers that can do well in partial to full shade and are also deer resistant. These plants will add beauty and interest to your garden, while not being attractive to deer. In this guide, we have listed 10 beautiful deer-resistant flowers that thrive in partial to full shade.

1. Bleeding Heart

Description

Bleeding Heart, also known as Dicentra spectabilis, is a perennial plant that produces heart-shaped pink flowers with white tips. It grows up to 30 inches tall and blooms from late spring until early summer.

Growing Tips

To grow bleeding heart, plant it in rich, moist soil in partial to full shade. Water the plant regularly and fertilize it once a year in the spring. Cut back the foliage after the plant has finished blooming.

2. Coral Bells

Description

Coral Bells, also known as Heuchera sanguinea, is a flowering plant with delicate coral-red blooms that appear in late spring or early summer. Its foliage ranges from green to purple and adds a lovely texture to any garden.

Growing Tips

Coral bells prefer partial to full shade, but need well-draining soil. Water them regularly and provide moderate fertilization during their growing season. Divide the plants every three to four years.

3. Lenten Rose

Description

Lenten Rose, also known as Helleborus orientalis, is a perennial that blooms in late winter or early spring. It produces large cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, green, and red.

Growing Tips

To grow lenten rose, plant it in well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade. Water regularly and apply an organic slow-release fertilizer in the spring. Mulching can help retain moisture for optimal growth.

4. Foxglove

Description

Foxglove, also known as Digitalis purpurea, is a tall perennial with brightly-colored trumpet-shaped flowers that appear in early summer. The blooms come in shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow.

Growing Tips

Grow foxglove in partial to full shade in moist, well-draining soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. After the first year of growth, deadhead regularly to encourage new blooms.

5. Monkshood

Description

Monkshood, also known as Aconitum napellus, is a tall perennial with striking blue-purple flowers that bloom in late summer. This flower prefers moist, fertile soil and partial shade.

Growing Tips

Plant monkshood in moist, well-draining soil in partial to full shade. Deadhead the blooms regularly to promote continuous growth. Be careful handling this plant, as it is toxic if ingested.

6. Astilbe

Description

Astilbe, also known as false goat's beard, is a perennial with feathery pink, white or red plumes that bloom in midsummer. It grows best in moist soil but can tolerate some drought.

Growing Tips

Plant astilbe in partial to full shade, and keep the soil consistently moist. Water regularly during periods of drought. In the fall, prune off spent flowers to encourage growth next season.

7. Tiarella

Description

Tiarella, also known as foamflower, is a low-growing perennial that produces small clusters of white or pink flowers that bloom late spring to early summer. It has a foliage reminiscent of large maple leaves, making them an attractive addition to any garden.

Growing Tips

Grow tiarella in partial to full shade, and keep the soil consistently moist. Make sure that you do not allow the soil to dry out entirely between watering. Use mulch to help maintain moisture levels.

8. Columbine

Description

Columbine, also known as Aquilegia vulgaris, produces unique flowers in shades of lavender, white, red, pink, and yellow. These flowers feature spurred petals that hang downward, giving a distinctive look.

Growing Tips

Columbine prefers partial shade and well-draining soil with medium moisture. If planted in full sun, it needs more moisture to survive. Deadhead regularly to encourage new blooms and control self-seeding.

9. Lungwort

Description

Lungwort, also known as Pulmonaria officinalis, is an early-blooming perennial with small, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and blue. The leaves of this plant are often heavily spotted or blotched with silver color, making it attractive even when not in bloom.

Growing Tips

Plant lungwort in moist, well-draining soil in partial to full shade. Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture levels for growth. Divide plants every few years to ensure continued healthy growth.

10. Jacob's Ladder

Description

Jacob's ladder, also known as Polemonium caeruleum, produces clusters of delicate, pale-blue flowers in late spring to early summer. Its leaves are composed of numerous leaflets that may be light green, dark green or even variegated.

Growing Tips

Grow Jacob's ladder in partial to full shade, with moderately moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly, avoiding overwatering or allowing the soil to become too dry. Cut back the plant after blooming to promote fresh growth.

There are many beautiful flowers that you can add to your shady garden without worrying about deer damage. The 10 flowers listed above are some of the best deer-resistant blooms for shade. They add color, texture, and interest to your space while also keeping deer at bay. When selecting plants for your shade garden, check their light, water and soil requirements and how they behave under different weather conditions. Keep in mind that even plants with deer resistance can be damaged by large numbers of hungry deer, so monitoring may still be required.

FAQ

• What is the meaning of deer-resistant? Deer-resistant means that the plant has natural properties that make it less likely to be eaten by deer. However, keep in mind that hungry deer may still damage or eat these plants.
• Why do deer eat some flowers and not others? Deer tend to prefer plants with high moisture content, high protein content, or are found in their natural diet. They also have preferences for certain colors.
• Do I still need to protect deer-resistant flower from deer? While deer-resistant plants are less likely to be damaged by deer, hungry deer may still find them attractive. Consider using additional protection methods such as fencing or deer repellent if necessary.
• Are deer-resistant flowers better than repellents? This depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Deer repellents can be effective, but require more maintenance and frequent reapplication. Deer-resistant plants are a more long-term solution, but may require additional care and attention to thrive.
• Can I plant tuberous begonias in the shade? Tuberous begonias grow best in partial to full shade, making them an excellent choice for shady gardens.
• How much sun do bleeding heart plants need? Bleeding heart plants prefer partial to full shade, making them an excellent choice for shady gardens.
• Does foxglove tolerate shade? Yes, foxglove can grow in partial to full shade.
• Can Tiarella plants grow without high humidity? Tiarella plants can grow in a range of conditions, but thrive with higher humidity levels.
• Can astilbe grow in full sun? Astilbe prefers partial to full shade, but can tolerate some morning sun in cooler climates.
• When is the best time to transplant Columbine? Transplant columbine in early spring or late fall when the plant is dormant. This minimizes stress on the plant and allows for easier establishment in its new location.