Native Plants
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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
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Saturday - June 07, 2008
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Deer-resistant groundcover under pine trees
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
what kind of ground covering can be planted under pine trees (acid soil) that the deer will not eat and will not attract bees?ANSWER:
That's a pretty big order, but Mr. SP will see what he can come up with! You can see a Fact Sheet on Deer Feeding Habits from the Maryland Cooperative Extension, Deer Resistant Perennials OH 64 from University of Vermont Extension System and also a list of Deer Tolerant/Resistant Native Plants from Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Ferns are on all the lists among the plants mentioned that deer avoid. Since ferns aren't flowering plants (they reproduce from spores) they aren't going to attract bees. Ferns generally like acidic soil and many of them are evergreen. There are several choices for ferns that grow in Pennsylvania. Here are some recommended fern species that are evergreen and grow in acidic soils:Asplenium platyneuron (ebony spleenwort)
Dryopteris cristata (crested woodfern)
Dryopteris marginalis (marginal woodfern)
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern)
Here are some other low-growing plants that are on the deer-resistant list and grow in the shade in acidic soil. There is no guarantee that these plants will be bee free.
Actaea pachypoda (white baneberry)
Gaultheria procumbens (eastern teaberry evergreen
Mitchella repens (partridgeberry evergreen
More Deer Resistant Questions
Deer-resistant plants for Maryland
August 23, 2008 - Hello- I have a acre that is mostly full-sun (and no shade on the house) and part shade (edge of the yard) and not much in between. It is also overrun with hungry deer! I am having a hard time finding...
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Is Smooth Sumac deer resistant
September 01, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I noticed there was no deer resistant rating for smooth sumac in your plant data base. Aromatic sumac is rated as 'high'.
Do you have an opinion on deer resistance for smo...
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Protecting guavas from deer
August 06, 2007 - I have large guavas that the deer love to tear up rubbing their new antlers. When do I need to re-cover the plants with anti-deer nets to be sure to get ahead of them? One night too late and they ar...
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What is eating Eve's Necklace in San Marcos TX
June 16, 2011 - A small Styphnolobium affine in my yard is repeatedly being defoliated by something. It courageously leafs out again each time, even in the drought. There is a larger tree nearby that remains untouc...
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Native grasses and wildflowers to attract butterflies in Blanco Co., TX
February 23, 2005 - Could you please recommend (native, xeriscape, deer resistant) grasses and flowers that attract butterflies that can be grown in Blanco County?
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