Deer-Resistant Shade Plants

Shaded spots can be hard to fill, and even more so to keep grazing deer away from. Deer-resistant plants are the secret to a low-stress garden. Bitter and unappetizing to deer, they provide colorful foliage and texture in your low-light area. 

Our curated collection at Garden Crossings includes deer-resistant shade perennials, annuals, and shrubs built for strong performance in challenging spots. Explore our plants!

A deer with light brown fur grazes on green plants in a garden, surrounded by trees and lush vegetation.
'All Gold' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa) forms a lush mound of bright green, arching leaves, thriving in shade and offering a graceful, cascading look for your garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A clump of 'All Gold' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa) with narrow, arching yellow-green leaves grows in a garden bed beside rocks and soil - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'All Gold' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)

$18.99
$18.99

A large clump of 'Aureola' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa), with long, arching green and yellow striped leaves, grows in a garden filled with pink flowers and vibrant green foliage - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.Long, narrow blades of 'Aureola' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa) in green, yellow, and pinkish-red overlap to form a dense, textured pattern of delicate, arching leaves - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Aureola' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)

$18.99
$18.99

The 'Black Scallop' Bugleweed (Ajuga) features deep purple-green foliage surrounding tall spikes of vibrant purple flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of a 'Black Scallop' Bugleweed (Ajuga) spike standing above dark, glossy, textured leaves. The blurred yellow-green foliage in the background highlights this perennial's striking groundcover appeal - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Black Scallop' Bugleweed (Ajuga)

$17.99
$17.99

A dense cluster of vibrant red and magenta-pink leaves of Blazin' Rose' Blood Leaf (Iresine) stands out in a lush garden, complemented by green foliage and soft pink flowers in the foreground - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.A lush cluster of Blazin' Rose' Blood Leaf (Iresine) showcases dark green leaves with vivid pink veins, complemented by small pink flowers and other greenery in a garden, creating a striking foliage display - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.

'Blazin' Rose' Blood Leaf (Iresine)

$11.99
$11.99
Close-up of four delicate, light purple 'Bowles Me Away' Wallflower (Erysimum) blooms with yellow centers and green foliage - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.A cluster of tall, lilac colorted blooms with slender stems and green leaves grows by a gravel path, showcasing the beauty of 'Bowles Me Away' Wallflower (Erysimum) - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.

'Bowles Me Away' Wallflower (Erysimum)

$17.99
$17.99

A group of 'Brilliance' Autumn Fern (Dryopteris) shows green and light brown fronds, with the brown tones indicating new growth or a seasonal shift, creating a striking contrast against the lush surrounding greenery - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of 'Brilliance' Autumn Fern (Dryopteris) fronds in orange, yellow, and green among larger leaves. The colorful gradient showcases new growth and changing foliage of the central garden ferns - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Brilliance' Autumn Fern (Dryopteris)

$18.99
$18.99

'Chantilly Lace' Goatsbeard (Aruncus) features delicate, feathery stems topped with tiny cream flowers, creating an airy texture - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.Close-up of 'Chantilly Lace' Goatsbeard (Aruncus) features feathery, creamy white plumes and deep green foliage - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

'Chantilly Lace' Goatsbeard (Aruncus)

$19.99
$19.99

A 'Crested Surf' Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium) with silvery-green, purple-veined fronds grows beside green leafy plants in a shade garden, bordered by brown wood mulch - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.A 'Crested Surf' Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium) with dark reddish stems and silvery-green fronds thrives in a shady garden bed, nestled among companion plants near a lattice fence - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

'Crested Surf' Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium)

$19.99
$19.99
‘Cutting Edge’ Foamflower (Tiarella) is a woodland perennial with jagged green leaves and tall stems bearing dense white flower spikes, thriving in garden beds mulched with pine needles - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Top down view of green, jagged-lobed leaves and purple veins, 'Cutting Edge' Foamflower (Tiarella) forms clusters in dark soil - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Cutting Edge' Foamflower (Tiarella)

$18.99
$18.99

Clusters of 'Dark Side of the Moon' Chinese Astilbe feature dark foliage and tall stems with vibrant pink and purple blooms, growing in a garden bed amidst green leafy plants and hostas in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A dense cluster of 'Dark Side of the Moon' Chinese Astilbe, with jagged greenish-brown and purple leaves, grows closely in a garden bed, while small yellow and pink flowers can be seen in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Dark Side of the Moon' Chinese Astilbe

$20.99
$20.99

The 'Delft Lace' Japanese Astilbe features salmon pink flowers on red stems with green, serrated leaves, bringing airy beauty to shaded gardens and thriving as a perennial among leafy plants - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Clusters of feathery salmon pink flowers rise on tall red stems among dark green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Delft Lace' Japanese Astilbe

$18.99
$18.99

A flowering Astilbe 'Dragon's Lair' with dark burgundy-purple foliage and tall pink to white flower spikes, growing in a garden among green grasses and foliage. - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.A garden bed filled with ornamental foliage, featuring prominent pinkish-purple Astilbe 'Dragon's Lair' flowers, deep burgundy leaves coral bells, bright green fiddle-leaf figs, and pale pink sedum in the foreground. - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Dragon's Lair' Chinese (Astilbe)

$20.99
$20.99

A close-up of 'Etain' Perennial Violet (Viola) shows its fragrant yellow blooms edged in light purple, set among green leaves with a dark purple pansy in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of 'Etain' Perennial Violet (Viola) features pale yellow flowers with purple edges and soft green leaves, bringing lasting charm and beauty to any garden setting - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Etain' Perennial Violet (Viola)

$17.99
$17.99

‘Ghost’ Ghost Fern (Athyrium), with its silvery foliage, pairs beautifully with broad-leaved hostas, creating elegant contrast and texture in shade gardens - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A cluster of delicate, light green fern leaves of 'Ghost' Ghost Fern (Athyrium), is complemented by broad variegated hosta foliage in a tranquil, shaded garden setting, bringing elegance with its airy fronds - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Ghost' Ghost Fern (Athyrium)

$20.99
$20.99

A close-up of 'Gold Heart' Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) displays its pink flowers on a curved stem, surrounded by vibrant gold-green foliage, flourishing in the sunlight of a shade garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A shade garden highlights 'Gold Heart' Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) with vibrant yellow-green leaves and pink, heart-shaped flowers on arching stems. Wooden lattice fencing and plant labels appear among the foliage in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Gold Heart' Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)

$18.99
$18.99

Close up of dense clusters of green and yellow variegated foliage, 'Golden Feathers' Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) adds vivid texture and striking color as an eye-catching perennial for shady garden spots - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.Close-up of a group of light purple flowers with yellow centers rise above the variegated foliage of 'Golden Feathers' Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Golden Feathers' Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium)

$20.99
$20.99

Top-down view of 'Halo Sky Blue' Perennial Violet (Viola) blooms, featuring fragrant blue-violet flowers with green leaves, thriving in bright sunlight - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.A black, ribbed planter filled with fragrant 'Halo Sky Blue' Perennial Violet (Viola) blooms sits on a patio, surrounded by green foliage and a softly blurred outdoor background - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

'Halo Sky Blue' Perennial Violet (Viola)

$17.99
$17.99

Close-up of vibrant purple 'Halo Violet' Perennial Violet (Viola) flowers with yellow centers and green leaves, blooming in clusters - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of 'Halo Violet' Perennial Violet (Viola) flowers with yellow and white centers amid green leaves. Velvety petals and sunlight highlight the rich, vibrant colors of this showy perennial - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Halo Violet' Perennial Violet (Viola)

$17.99
$17.99

Vibrant Hearts on Fire' Bleeding Heart plant with bright yellow-green leaves and clusters of red flowers with white tips, photographed in a garden setting. - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.A flowering Hearts on Fire' Bleeding Heart with bright yellow-green leaves and clusters of red heart-shaped flowers, growing outdoors in mulch with a stone wall and greenery in the background. - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Hearts on Fire' Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)

$19.99
$19.99
Close-up of delicate pink and yellow spidery flowers with long, thin petals bloom above green, heart-shaped leaves—Hugs And Kisses' Barrenwort (Epimedium) is a deer-resistant perennial ideal for lush shade gardens - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.Delicate pink flowers with long, thin petals and yellow centers bloom on arching stems among green leaves of 'Hugs And Kisses' Barrenwort (Epimedium). Flower pot and yellow flowers are blurred in the background - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Hugs and Kisses' Barrenwort (Epimedium)

$21.99
$21.99

Close-up of small, bright blue flowers with yellow centers bloom above the silvery-white veined leaves of 'Jack Frost' Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera), a striking perennial and perfect shade groundcover for a vibrant garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A top-down view of small blue flowers with yellow centers blooming above green leaves with silvery veins. 'Jack Frost' Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera) is a beautiful perennial ideal as shade groundcover among lush foliage and pine needle mulch - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Jack Frost' Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera)

$18.99
$18.99

'Jack of Diamonds' Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera) features large, heart-shaped leaves with silvery-white surfaces and bold green veins, thriving as a shade-loving ground cover amid other green foliage and mulch - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Top-down view of ‘Jack of Diamonds’ Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera) showcases large, heart-shaped green leaves with silver-white veining, making it an excellent shade ground cover for mulched garden beds amid other foliage - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

'Jack of Diamonds' Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera)

$19.99
$19.99

Close-up of a cluster of bright pink Miss Piggy' Pigsqueak (Bergenia) flowers with green and dark purple leaves in the background. The petals are soft, and the flowers are blooming on a single sturdy stem - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCClose-up of bright pink Miss Piggy' Pigsqueak (Bergenia) flowers with raindrops rest above large, glossy green leaves in a garden setting - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

'Miss Piggy' Pigsqueak (Bergenia)

$18.99
$18.99

'Montgomery' Japanese Astilbe displays bright red flower clusters above glossy, serrated green leaves, standing out as a striking perennial for shady gardens - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.‘Montgomery’ Japanese Astilbe features tall, deep red feathery blooms above green foliage, creating a striking shade garden display. It stands out beautifully against blurred greenery and red-toned backgrounds - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Montgomery' Japanese Astilbe

$17.99
$17.99

Green and purple coleus leaves with scalloped edges

Help Your Garden Thrive with Deer-Resistant Shade Plants

Deer aren’t so cute when they’re browsing on your annuals and perennial plants! To keep these hungry critters away, focus on plants with substantial texture, strong scents, or leathery leaves. 

Our deer-resistant plants for shade are the perfect place to start. They thrive where light is limited, where even deer are frequent visitors. Whether you’re working under trees, along shaded fences, or in cool corners of your yard, these plants help protect your investment.

Rounded green boxwood shrub in a landscaped garden

Protect Your Garden from Browsing Deer

While no plants are truly ‘deer-resistant,’ these perennials, annuals, and garden shrubs serve as your first line of defense against these critters. 

At Garden Crossings, we’ve selected each of these plants for your growing needs and USDA Hardiness Zone to support success in your outdoor space. We personally inspect our plants before shipping for appearance, quality, and performance. Shop online!

FAQs

No plants are 100% deer-proof. Hungry deer will eat almost anything if food is scarce! However, they often avoid plants with fuzzy textures, bitter tastes, and toxic compounds.

There are a few characteristics that deer generally dislike:

  • Leathery or tough textures that are difficult for them to chew
  • Fuzzy stems and leaves, which make the plant unappealing to eat and touch
  • Strong scents
  • Milky, toxic sap acts as a deterrent.

Some of the best deer-resistant plants for shade include hellebores, ferns, and coral bells. These plants thrive in low light while deterring wildlife with their tough and unappealing foliage.

No plant is completely deer-proof, but resistant perennials are far less likely to be targeted under normal conditions. Options with tough, fuzzy, or aromatic foliage are consistently passed over in favor of more palatable plants, making them a dependable choice for shade loving deer resistant perennials.

Full-shade areas do well with dense groundcovers and foliage plants like sedge and certain begonia varieties, while part-shade spots can support a wider range, including bugleweed, astilbe, and coleus. Checking each plant's sun exposure needs helps match it to the exact light levels in your yard.

Yes, annuals like coleus and begonia complete their life cycle in one growing season and need fresh planting each spring. They are a good option for adding season-long color to shaded beds while permanent deer-resistant perennials and shrubs continue to fill in around them.

Layer structural shrubs like boxwood as a backbone, then fill in with textured perennials such as astilbe or sedge and colorful annuals for seasonal interest. Combining different plant types this way creates depth, year-round structure, and multiple layers of deer resistance throughout the shaded bed.