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_43.gif)
Friday - July 30, 2010
From: Allison Park, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Deer-resistant plants for a steep hillside in Allison Park PA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
What do you recommend for a steep hillside, mostly shade and acidic? The deer have eaten everything except the weeds.ANSWER:
One word: grasses. In the first place, that is probably what you are calling "weeds." In the second place, deer rarely touch grasses. You really answered your own question without knowing it. You might like to look at our list of Deer-Resistant Plants for help with plants besides grasses. All of the 8 grasses and grass-like plants we have selected are tolerant of acidic soils and shade to part shade conditions. We would suggest you also contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office for Allegheny County. They may have a list of grasses for your purpose better than ours because they are working from experience.
We recommend grasses for controlling erosion because of their extensive fibrous root systems that serve to hold the soil in place. However, seeding grass is not the whole process. The seeds need moisture to germinate. If the moisture comes in the form of rain, it is likely to wash the seeds down the bank before they have a chance to germinate and take root. An erosion control blanket in which the erosion-control fabric works by slowing the runoff water allows sediments to fall out rather than be washed away. Seeds are sown under the erosion-control material and grow up through the matting when they germinate. You can also insert plants into the soil by cutting through the matting. The roots of the plants that are growing through the erosion-control material anchor the soil to stop the erosion. If you use erosion-control blankets made of biodegrable material, they will eventually disappear leaving the plants to control the problem. Many nurseries carry this erosion control fabric, and can give you help in how to install it.
We will go to our Native Plant Database and search for grasses native to your area in and around Allegheny County, PA, USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. We will stipulate in our search "part shade" (2 to 6 hours of sun a day) and "shade" (less than 2 hours of sun). Follow each link to the page on that plant in our Native Plant Database to learn its expected size, sun needs, propagation, growing conditions and soil types.
Grasses for hillside in Allegheny County PA:
Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem)
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge)
Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye)
From the Image Gallery
More Deer Resistant Questions
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?
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant, shade tolerant foundation plants for Kerrville TX
March 30, 2013 - I'm looking for foundation plants for shade that are deer resistant. Tall as well as medium height.
view the full question and answer
Pruning Holly after Deer Browse
January 16, 2010 - Deer have been eating my Holly Bushes. Can I prune now in January? I live in the North of New Jersey. Will they come back fuller? I just planted them in spring last year. How can I get them fuller
view the full question and answer
Non-native crape myrtle resistance to deer from Annapolis MD
April 06, 2013 - Is Crape Myrtle tree resistant to deers? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Is Ruellia deer resistant
June 19, 2008 - Is Ruellia deer resistant? I have white Ruellia, 18 -20 inches tall.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |