Pungent herbs are generally unappetizing to the deer population, including Salvia (various types of sage), Nepeta (cat mint) and Origanum (oregano) species. For the shade, ferns are good bets, as are Helleborous, Choisya ternata, Hosta, Liriope, Sarcoccoca, Taxus and Trachelospermum (star jasmine). There are several species of Carex (sedge) that love the shade and do not appeal to deer, although it can safely be said…
Rosemary has flowers in the blue shades, although there are some varieties with pink or white flowers. Bees love it and deer are loathe to touch it at all. There is a huge range in size from very low groundcover types to plants that reach six feet. ‘Blue Boy’ is very diminutive, growing only to one by…
Carex divulsa (Berkeley sedge, formerly known as Carex tumulicola) is a bright, evergreen grass twelve to eighteen inches tall. It tolerates some traffic, drought, full sun and boggy conditions and is one of the best sedges for ground cover. It looks best with part shade and is hardy to ten degrees.
Helictotrichon sempervirens (blue oat grass) is a silvery grass growing about eighteen inches with an upright habit. It looks its best with some afternoon shade in the North County and requires average water.
Carex glauca ‘Blue Zinger’ is a lovely, low growing ground cover with slender blue green blades. It does best in full sun and is hardy to zero degrees.
Leymus condensatus ‘Canyon Prince’ is a beautiful blue-gray grass that is very drought tolerant. It spreads slowly by rhizomes, reaching four feet tall by three feet wide.
Carex tenuiculmis is a handsome, brownish red grass. It grows two to three feet tall in full sun and needs only minimal water. Carex testacea is another colorful grass that has very bright orange blades when planted in full sun. It stays attractive throughout the year and likewise requires only minimal water once established.
This native California grass, commonly known as deer grass, can survive with very little water, although it looks best with at least some water. The Getty Museum in Los Angeles has planted great stands of it. The flower stems are very tall and it is very effective in masses. It should be cut back every few years for best…
Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ and ‘Siskyou Blue’ are both silvery grasses, growing about eighteen inches tall. They make great accents in the garden and they are easy to grow, requiring minimal water and care. They form charming clumps which look great in almost any landscape and are particularly handsome amongst rocks or along dry stream beds.
Miscanthus transmorrisonensis is a bold, very green grass with striking flowers in late summer. The blades reach three to four feet with flowers reaching five feet. If removing all the spent flowers becomes too overwhelming to tackle, the plant can be cut back to the ground.