Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Saturday - June 06, 2009
From: Tampa, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Deer resistant groundcover for Tampa, Florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in Tampa, FL and have a deer problem. I was wondering if you would give me some suggestions for deer resistant ground covers that are hearty and flower but most of all "DEER RESISTANT"!!! ThanksANSWER:
Below are plants native to Hillsborough County, Florida that have been designated "deer resistant". You should realize, however, that if environmental conditions (such as drought) ilimit the availability of the preferred foods of the deer, then they will eat plants that normally they would avoid. All of these plants are low-growing and some have colorful flowers. Others have more subtle flowers but interesting foliage. Ferns, of course, have no flowers at all, but deer avoid eating them and they make good groundcovers in moist shade.Bacopa monnieri (herb of grace)
Callirhoe involucrata (purple poppymallow)
Coreopsis tinctoria (golden tickseed)
Gaillardia pulchella (firewheel)
Hydrocotyle umbellata (manyflower marshpennywort)
Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)
Phyla nodiflora (turkey tangle fogfruit)
Viola sororia (common blue violet)
Dryopteris ludoviciana (southern woodfern)
Thelypteris kunthii (Kunth's maiden fern)
Woodwardia areolata (netted chainfern)
More Deer Resistant Questions
Keeping deer and rabbits out of plants
June 23, 2007 - Are there plants that are both deer- and rabbit-resistant? Something is eating the plants that the deer seem to leave alone--snipping off the flowers at the top of the stems (ie, zinnias and plumbago...
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant groundcovers in Georgetown, TX
May 20, 2009 - Is silver ponyfoot inviting deer into the yard? What are good alternatives, deer resistant, for large areas of groundcover, 100-200 sq. ft.?
view the full question and answer
Deer-resistant trees for privacy in Texas
January 09, 2015 - I need to find a deer resistant tall shrub or tree to plant and hide the deer fence my neighbor just put up on our property line. My property has full sun in parts and mostly shady in other parts and ...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover and Butterfly attractants for LaRue Texas
May 02, 2012 - LaRue, TX - Would like a native low growing plant as a groundcover. I would like it for six+ hours of sun, drought tolerant, and ones that butterflies might enjoy, while deer won't. Some winter int...
view the full question and answer
Deer-resistant plants for wildlife in Margaretville NY
April 18, 2010 - We have a 60 degree bank behind a recently completed retaining wall that is mostly rocky with a light topsoil. We are going to put down grass just to keep the topsoil in place, but someone suggested ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |