| I'm working on converting a fairly wodded area to be a flower bed by putting in some raised beds with new soil. The big problem has been the amount of shade and the ever present deer. I've done some research and it looks like the Helleborus and Hibiscus would do well, but what other plants would you recommend for Massachusetts? |
| Your new woodland garden sounds like a challenge but I'm sure it will be beautiful once you install your new plants. Deer resistant perennials for full or part shade include: Asarum (Ginger), Bergenia, Convallaria (Lily of the Valley), Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), Digitalis sp (Foxglove), Ferns of all kinds: Adiantum pedatum - Maidenhair Fern, Athyrium 'Ghost', Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' - Japanese Painted Fern, Dennstaedtia punctilobula - Hay-scented Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris - Ostrich Fern, Onoclea sensibilis, Osmunda cinnamomea - Cinnamon Fern, Osmunda claytoniana, Osmunda regalis, Polystichum acrostichoides - Christmas Fern, Geranium (especially G. macrorrhizum), Helleborus (Hellebore), Kirengeshoma palmata (Waxbells), Lamium sp, Primula sp (Primrose) and Pulmonaria sp (Lungwort). Hope these suggestions are helpful. |
