perennial plant for shaded pot - Ask Extension
I have 3 large pots located nearly under a large maple tree which provides shade much of the day. I also have a large deer population. I have trie...
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perennial plant for shaded pot #867461
Asked May 07, 2024, 3:43 PM EDT
I have 3 large pots located nearly under a large maple tree which provides shade much of the day. I also have a large deer population. I have tried growing boxwood in these pots, but it has not over wintered. What perennials can I grow in pots with limited sun and munching deer?
Thank you for your help.
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi,
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. You would like some deer resistant perennial suggestions that you can grow in pots with limited sun. I am sending you some lists of perennial plants that can do well in shade and also lists of deer resistant plants. Deer in different areas can eat different plants and may not follow this list. Typically they avoid very aromatic plants, prickles and spines, tough, leathery leaves, toxic plants and plants with milky sap. A very hungry deer may attempt to eat just about anything including poisonous plants. You can cross reference between the lists to find plants you would like that can tolerate shade and and are considered deer resistant.
https://gilpin.extension.colostate.edu/programs/mtn-hort/critter-resist-plants/
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/wildlife-issues/2302-deer-resistant-plants/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/natural-resources/preventing-deer-damage-6-520/
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/annuals-perennials/1022-shade-gardens-ground-covers/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/herbaceous-perennials-7-405/
Barberis repens, formally Mahonia repens, might be a good choice. It turns reddish in the winter, has yellow flowers in the spring with fruit in the summer. This plant is a Colorado native
Brunnera spp., Siberian bugloss, might be another good choice. It has pretty blue flowers in the spring and is considered deer resistant. It is subject to early spring frost damage.
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/flowers-for-mountain-communities-7-406/
I would suggest starting small to see how it goes.
Happy Gardening,
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. You would like some deer resistant perennial suggestions that you can grow in pots with limited sun. I am sending you some lists of perennial plants that can do well in shade and also lists of deer resistant plants. Deer in different areas can eat different plants and may not follow this list. Typically they avoid very aromatic plants, prickles and spines, tough, leathery leaves, toxic plants and plants with milky sap. A very hungry deer may attempt to eat just about anything including poisonous plants. You can cross reference between the lists to find plants you would like that can tolerate shade and and are considered deer resistant.
https://gilpin.extension.colostate.edu/programs/mtn-hort/critter-resist-plants/
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/wildlife-issues/2302-deer-resistant-plants/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/natural-resources/preventing-deer-damage-6-520/
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/annuals-perennials/1022-shade-gardens-ground-covers/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/herbaceous-perennials-7-405/
Barberis repens, formally Mahonia repens, might be a good choice. It turns reddish in the winter, has yellow flowers in the spring with fruit in the summer. This plant is a Colorado native
Brunnera spp., Siberian bugloss, might be another good choice. It has pretty blue flowers in the spring and is considered deer resistant. It is subject to early spring frost damage.
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/flowers-for-mountain-communities-7-406/
I would suggest starting small to see how it goes.
Happy Gardening,
