Zone 4 deer resistant shrubs
???? 30 Most Deer Resistant Shrubs: Lasting Privacy and Shade for the Northeast ????
When we think of garden pests, we often think of insects who often aren’t seen but certainly leave their mark on some of our favorite flowers, vegetables, plants, and shrubs. What certainly doesn’t go unseen, however, are the deer that have become worrisome for many people living in the Northeast, including in South Shore Massachusetts.
It’s high time we talk about deer damage, as well as what deer resistant shrubs in the Northeast can be planted to not only look great, but also keep deer at bay. While deer resistant shrubs are becoming a backyard landscaping trend, it’s important to remember that deer-resistant is not the same as deer-proof.
While we can’t guarantee that these shrubs will never become a meal for a hungry deer, they stand the best chance at remaining unscathed when other food options are scarce. Our landscaping teams have installed many plants that Deer are known to avoid
Tallest Deer Resistant Shrubs
1.
Showy flowers make pieris a popular garden choice. The dark green leaves are contrasted with stunning white flower clusters that have a drooping shape and are extremely pollinator-friendly. Pieris does better in part shade—and can even tolerate deep shade. While you may have to deal with pesky lacebugs, you’ll likely never see this shrub bothered by deer.
Japanese pieris can reach average heights of 9-12 feet tall.
2. Mountain laurel (
Kalmia latifolia)When it comes to native evergreen shrubs, this is one of the best choices for a shrub that will be ignored by deer. Plus, in late spring, you’ll be blessed with stunning pale pink flower clusters that are big—up to six-inches in diameter big! The shrub itself can also be large, up to 15 feet tall and wide, however they do grow relatively slowly. Mountain laurel is great for soils that are slightly acidic, and does best in part shade.
3. Eastern red cedar (
Juniperus virginiana)If you like the appearance of arborvitae and want a shrub that deer won’t eat, your best bet is Eastern red cedar (although they may still nibble on the lower foliage).
What you will provide a meal for, however, is a variety of songbirds, who enjoy the gray-blue and berry-like cones. As an extremely drought-tolerant species, Eastern red cedar will do well with dry soil and full sun, however it shouldn’t be planted near crabapple or apple trees as it may host cedar apple rust.
If you’re looking for the tallest deer resistant shrubs, the Eastern red cedar might take the cake as it can reach up to 50 feet tall.
4. Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis)
Like Eastern red cedar, this is another juniper that could host cedar apple rust, so keep it away from apples. It too is highly deer-tolerant, and grows well in dry soil (and even in drought conditions). Some varieties grow into large trees (up to 20 feet), but smaller shrubby varieties are also available.
5. Bayberry (
Myrica pensylvanica)
This dense-branching deciduous shrub is native to North America, and commonly found along our eastern coast.
They grayish-green leaves are beautiful, but the shrub is more commonly known for its fruits—which also happen to be coated in a waxy substance that is aromatic, used to make soap, attractive to birds, and generally repellent to deer.
Bayberry can reach a height and width of 5-10 feet.
Deer Resistant Shrubs: 5 Smallest Ones
6. Common boxwood (
Buxus sempervirens)As a common choice for hedges, this shrub also happens to be one of the most deer-tolerant plants around (note: it can also be toxic to pets). It’s easy to maintain, can be pruned and sheared, and while it doesn’t have showy flowers, its lush, green foliage makes up for it (and can serve as a good screen). Keep in mind that while full sun can be tolerated, winter winds might lead to yellowing, so try to plant in a protected area.
Both tall and short cultivars are available, all contain alkaloids that won’t taste good to deer [7].
7. Inkberry (
Ilex glabra)
Here’s a native evergreen species that won’t attract deer (but will be enjoyed by songbirds).
The holly species has dark green and glossy leaves, and produces a small black fruit. It does best in full sun, along with acidic soil that remains moist. As several varieties are available, you can choose those that grow taller to suit your landscaping needs, although most varieties are relatively compact, growing just 3-4 feet tall.
8. Bluebeard (
Caryopteris x clandonensis)Growing just 2-3 feet high, this compact, deciduous shrub is known by—as its name suggests—deep blue flowers that appear in late summer/early fall. The drought-tolerant shrub does attract butterflies, but it is seldom damaged by deer. It does best in well-drained and loose soil, but is very easy to maintain, and is resistant to many other pests and diseases.
9. Spireas (
Spirea species)While larger varieties are available (up to 8 feet tall), there are several compact and dwarf spireas that make for perfect small deer-resistant shrubs (as small as 1½ feet tall). Many species have attractive flowers, grow quickly, don’t require a lot by way of maintenance, and make for perfect accent border plants.
While they typically won’t attract deer, do expect to see a lot of butterflies.
10. Barberry (Dwarf
Berberis)This spiny shrub is one typically avoided by deer. While large varieties are certainly available, smaller accent shrubs will still provide the thorny, wiry branches that keep deer away. Choose between a variety of different colors—dark orange, bright red, deep wine-red, dark purple, deep green, metallic pink, warm yellow, and more! In addition to keeping deer away, these low-lying shrubs are great for shrub beds or hedging.
Deer Resistant Shrubs: Prettiest Flowering Shrubs
Many of the shrubs mentioned above (Bluebeard, namely) are both pretty flowering shrubs and deer resistant shrubs, but here are a few more options:
11. Butterfly Bush (
Buddleia davidii): Considered an invasive plant in some regions, it might be one that you hope invades your landscape. If you are worried about their spread, look for seedless varieties.
The striking blue-purple blooms will welcome many pollinators, but keep deer away.
12. Russian sage (
Perovskia atriplicifolia):Technically a subshrub (and ironically not a true sage), this lavender-lookalike behaves like a shrub and can thrive in poor, dry soils. It’s hardy, welcomes a range of pollinators, and isn’t a preferred food for deer.
13. Swamp rose (
Rosa palustris):Swamp rose can reach heights of up to 7 feet, and while you may be attracted to it’s light pink flowers, deer won’t.
Best Deer Resistant Shrubs for Privacy
Nearly all of the tallest deer resistant shrubs mentioned above are also great screening shrubs. In addition to tall varieties of the common boxwood, Japanese pieris, mountain laurel, Eastern red cedar, and Chinese juniper, here are a few others you could try
14. Heavenly bamboo
Bamboo is an evergreen deer resistant (or semi-evergreen) shrub provides beauty throughout the entire year.
Between dark green foliage and stunning red berries, you’ll love surrounding your patio or deck with this shrub, but deer won’t be as impressed. It’s also important to know that while the leaves and stems will keep deer away, they’re also poisonous to pets.
15. Arborvitae (
Thuja occidentalis) that deer won’t eat:Arborvitaes are popular with gardeners—and in many cases they’re extremely popular with deer, too. For those of us who want an easy to maintain arborvitae that grows well in any soil, our best bet is the Thuja variety. Also known as “Green Giant,” this fast-growing species is one of the quickest privacy screens available, and grows up to 3-4 feet every year! It’s also much less likely than its relatives to be destroyed by deer.
16. Moonglow
A succulent that is dense and protective.
Deer Resistant Juniper Shrubs
Again, many of the taller shrubs are also excellent for providing shade.
Junipers are some of the most common deer resistant shrubs that also happen to be great at providing shade.
Some can grow up to 100 feet tall! For some taller varieties to form into a shade providing hedgerow/privacy screen, consider the following (all of which have dense foliage and upright pyramidal forms):
17. Wichita Blue
A type of Juniper, these trees can reach heights upwards of 50 feet, resistant to deer, and would be great for blocking the sun!
18. Blue Haven
Beautiful and hardy, medium height and stout, can provide privacy as well as shade, while being low maintenance.
19. Skyrocket
Another Juniper, the Skyrocket is bush that Deer won’t feast upon that is thick and protects your yard from prying eyes.
20. Blue Point
Tall and evergreen Juniper that brings class and panache to a yard. Very dense foliage and forms a bit of a pyramid when mature.
21. Hetz Columnar
Beautiful, upward, conical shape supported by bright green leaves on tightly packed branches. Fitting accent for a well groomed yard that is low maintenance relative to other plants in the genus.
This is one plant Deer are sure to pass up!
24. Mountbatten
If you’re looking for a multi-functional shrub to add to your landscape, let us help! We have recommendations about flowering, shading, privacy, and more—and can recommend shrubs that will also be deer resistant. Contact us today for help!
What shrubs are deer resistant?
25. Evergreen azalea (Rhododendron sp.)
Despite being toxic when consumed in large amounts, deer love every part of these shrubs (even their flowers), and white-tailed deer particularly enjoy them.
26. Yew shrubs (
Taxus sp.)Aside from plum yews (Cephalotaxus), these are a well-known favorite for deer.
27. Wintercreeper (
Euonymus fortunei)According to Rutgers University, most Euonymus varieties are damaged by deer, but wintercreeper experiences the worst and is frequently severely damaged by Bambi.
Since we just discussed most of the plants that deer don’t like to eat in the Northeast, deflection is another effective strategy to offer plants that Deer really do enjoy.
let’s flip this question around to discuss which shrubs are not deer resistant.
What do deer like to eat?
In some cases, landowners will want to support the biodiversity and ecological systems that surround them, and one of the best things to do in this case is provide rabid grazers with some tasty shrubs. Here are a few favorite foods for deer to take their attention off your favorite plants:
- Evergreen azalea (Rhododendron sp.): Despite being toxic when consumed in large amounts, deer love every part of these shrubs (even their flowers), and white-tailed deer particularly enjoy them [15].
- Yew shrubs (Taxus sp.): Aside from plum yews (Cephalotaxus), these are a well-known favorite for deer [16].
- Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei): According to Rutgers University, most Euonymus varieties are damaged by deer, but wintercreeper experiences the worst and is frequently severely damaged by Bambi [17].
What flowers are deer resistant?
Beyond those mentioned above, there are a few more flowering shrubs that will provide you with stunning blooms and an intoxicating fragrance, but aren’t as well loved by deer.
28. Bottlebrush buckeye (
Aesculus parviflora):Native to the Southeast, we might be pushing hardiness with this zone 5-9 tolerant shrub. However, if you’re looking for an elegant white flower, it might be one to experiment with.
29. Lilac (
Syringa vulgaris):For fragrance, there’s nearly nothing better than a lilac shrub. It has gorgeous purple flowers, makes for a great hedge, grows well in the Northeast, and can reach heights of up to 12 feet once mature. Plus, deer won’t nibble on them if other food is available.
30. Witch hazel (
Hamamelis spp.): This large shrub has beautiful yellow flowers and a wonderful scent. As a young shrub, your witch hazel might need some additional protection, but once established will be resistant to many diseases and pests.
Are dappled willow shrubs deer resistant?
Dappled willow shrubs are great to help to prevent erosion, have a beautiful weeping structure, and YES, they are known to be deer resistant. They’re also fast growing, and can reach up to 20 feet in just a few years.
Are burning bush shrubs deer resistant?
We already mentioned wintercreeper, which is in the same Eunoymus family as burning bush. These are similar to wintercreeper and yew, so NO, they are generally not deer resistant.
Are flowering almond shrubs deer resistant?
Flowering almond shrubs are cold-tolerant, but their deer resistance is unknown. We’d recommend going with a shrub that has a better record of being resistant to hungry deer.
Are mock orange shrubs deer resistant?
Mock orange shrubs have an intoxicating fragrance, plus, YES, they are deer resistant. They can also tolerate drought and make for a perfect privacy screen.
Are camellia shrubs deer resistant?
YES, camellia shrub, also known as camellia bush (Camellia spp.
), is deer resistant, and may actually prevent deer from coming close to some of your other plants.
Are dogwood shrubs deer resistant?
We mentioned a Rutgers University study of deer resistance earlier, and they found that some varieties of dogwood are known to be seldom damaged by deer, so YES, there are some deer resistant types of dogwood shrubs. These include kousa dogwood, red osier dogwood, and red twigged dogwood.
Other varieties of dogwood may become more damaged, however.
Are spirea shrubs deer resistant?
Using the same university study, we can conclude that YES, many spirea shrubs will also not be the meal-of-choice for deer.
Are barberry shrubs deer resistant?
YES, we mentioned barberry shrubs earlier. Thanks to their spiny leaves, there are many small and tall varieties that are deer resistant.
Are boxwood shrubs deer resistant?
We can say that the versatility of boxwood shrubs and the fact that YES—they are deer resistant—make boxwood a great addition to any landscape.
Are holly shrubs deer resistant?
YES, holly shrubs are deer resistant, thanks to the fact that their berries may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.
Are ninebark shrubs deer resistant?
The fact that they have purple leaves and are easy to grow and maintain make ninebark shrubs a good garden choice. Here’s another reason: YES, all ninebark species are avoided by deer and other animals.
Are rose of Sharon shrubs deer resistant?
Also known as Hibiscus syriacus, we can say that YES, rose of Sharon is generally avoided by deer—and provides seasonal color for humans.
Is sweet pea shrub deer resistant?
YES, it is generally thought that sweet pea shrub is deer resistant. However, it’s only well suited to USDA zones 9-10, meaning that the Northeast is too cold for this plant.
Read more about climate zones in our climate zone guide.
Is sweet pea shrub petite butterfly deer resistant?
YES, but this variety is also better suited to warmer climates.
Is sweet shrub deer resistant?
Also known as Carolina allspice, we can say that YES, this shrub provides fragrance, summer blooms, and a shrub that is generally avoided by deer.
What evergreen shrubs are deer resistant?
This article has already mentioned several evergreen shrubs that will look great year-round, without appealing to hungry deer. This includes many juniper species, boxwood, pieris, heavenly bamboo, and holly.
Deer proof your yard today!
We offer a variety of deer resistant plants and shrubs in our landscaping service and sell them at our Garden Center and Plant Nursery in Holbrook!
Table of Contents
Want to Learn More?
18 Beautiful Deer Resistant Shrubs to Protect Your Garden
Toggle Nav Toggle NavMenu
Account
18 Beautiful Deer Resistant Shrubs to Protect Your Garden
Not this year, deer.
With their natural habitats shrinking, deer are becoming a way of life in many residential neighborhoods across the country.
One of the best ways to mitigate the damage these herbivores do to herbaceous (and evergreen) plants is to select ones that are not on their preferred menu. Fortunately, there are plenty from which to choose, and we narrowed our list down to 18 gorgeous deer-resistant shrubs that will suit gardens across the country.
Below is our list of shrubs on which deer are more unlikely to dine; your experience, of course, may differ. It turns out that deer are much like humans when it comes to food palate — their tastes vary! It should always be noted that especially in winter when pickings are scarce, a hungry deer will eat even the most unlikely plants. We’ve divided these into zones for easy reference, but check out all of the plants below to see the widest number of choices. You can also search Rutgers' handy database of plants for their deer-resistant rating. For even more nibble-me-not choices, please consult with a local garden center (find yours here).
Let us know if you have any tried-and-true deer-resistant plants in your garden in the comments, or share them with us on social media @MonroviaPlants
Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Zones 3 - 5
Lil' Sizzle® SpireaA tough, compact variety that doesn't burn in full sun.
Hot-pink flowers pop against foliage that starts as bright orange and matures to gold. Partial to full sun. Up to 3′ tall and wide. Zones 4-9.
Forsythia may have a short bloom season, but when it is on, it is ON! Explodes with masses of soft yellow early spring flowers. Partial to full sun. Up to 2′ tall, 3′ wide. Zones 4-9.
Little Darling® LilacWhat’s better than the sweet scent of lilacs? Having deep purple blooms twice a year! This is a compact variety with a nicely rounded shape. Full sun. Up to 4′ tall and wide. Zones 4-8.
Burly Blue JuniperA tough, no-nonsense choice where you need a rugged, low-maintenance groundcover. A cold-hardy, blue-gray creeping juniper. Full sun. Up to 2′ tall, spreading to 8 ft. wide. Zones 3-8.
Golden Sword YuccaAn evergreen conversation starter especially in colder zones, with striped foliage and tall, showy spikes of blooms.
Full sun. Up to 4′ tall and 5' wide, with up to 6′ flower spikes. Zones 4-9.
A dense, pointed conifer with a naturally conical growth habit. Perfect for pruning as deer-resistant topiaries. Partial to full sun. Up to 8′ tall, 5′ wide. Zones 2-8
Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Zones 6 - 8
Sparkler® Arrowwood ViburnumIgnored by deer but loved by nature. Spring flowers, late summer berries, fall color, and layered form that shines in every season. Partial to full sun. Up to 15' tall and wide. Zones 4-9.
Miss Molly Summer LilacButterflies and hummingbirds love it. Deer, not so much. Dark Sangria-red sterile flowers on compact form appear from July until frost. Full sun. Up to 5′ tall and wide. Zones 5-9.
La Barbe Bleue BluebeardWho doesn’t need more late-summer-into-fall flowers? Versatile small shrub for sunny beds and borders with late summer blooms.
Full sun. Up to 36" tall and 30" wide. Zones 5-9.
Perfect upright and dense small tree laden with large fragrant flowers over a long season. Full sun. Up to 20′ tall, 25′ wide. Zones 6-9.
Frostproof GardeniaHow can deer resist something that smells this good? Lucky for us, they do. Flower buds resist late spring frosts without damage. Full sun. Up to 5′ tall, 4′ wide. Zones 7-11.
Himalayan Sweet BoxExceptional groundcover with very fragrant white spring flowers. Try in dry shade gardens where other plants won’t grow! Full shade. Up to 2′ tall, spreading to 8′ wide. Zones 6-9.
Zones 9 - 11
High Five Purple Butterfly BushA compact, upright variety with no unwanted seedlings, and long-lasting purple flowers. Deer aren't a fan, but butterflies and hummingbirds are! Full sun. Up to 2' tall and wide. Zones 5-10.
Roman Beauty RosemaryChef’s garden must-have that’s rugged, deer resistant, and tolerates poor soils, drought, and salt spray.
Wonderful in containers. Full sun. Up to 2′ tall and 3′ wide. Zones 8-10.
Cistus is an unsung hero of dry, sunny gardens. Compact, sun, and heat-loving, with showy rose-purple blooms with maroon spots. Full sun. Up to 4′ tall, 6′ wide. Zones 8-11.
Thunderhead Japanese Black PineDeer rarely pine for this compact grower whose irregular growth habit adds character to the landscape. Partial to full sun. Up to 10′ tall, 15′ wide. Zones 5-10.
Santa Barbara Mexican Bush SageIf nearly non-stop blooms, fragrant foliage, and silvery-grey illuminating effect weren’t enough, there’s this–deer want no part of it. Full sun. Up to 3′ tall and wide. Zones 9-11.
Lacey Blue Russian SageHardy and heat- and drought-tolerant with aromatic foliage that deters deer. This compact variety is colorful and upright. Full sun. Up to 18" tall, 26" wide. Zones 4-10.
Did you find this story useful and interesting? Please share it with others who also love to garden (use the icons at the top of this page). And, consider subscribing to our monthly newsletter to be in the know!
If you need specific advice for a tricky spot, please leave a comment below. For even more choices, please consult with your local garden center (find one here).
Previous Post Next Post
3 years ago
SHOW COMMENTS HIDE COMMENTS
Search The Blog
Grow Beautifully
SIGN-UP FOR DESIGN INSPIRATION AND UPDATES ON NEW PLANTS
Garden patio
A rare garden plot happens without a special place intended for relaxation or friendly gatherings. Someone in this role is a simple bench under the window of a garden house, much more often it is a gazebo or pavilion, braided with climbing plants or lined with flowers and ornamental shrubs. Recently, the patio has become an increasingly popular place for relaxation in the garden.
WHAT IS A PATIO?
A patio is a hard-surfaced area on which country furniture can be installed, often a garden fireplace or a grill oven for outdoor cooking. In the garden literature, you can find many references to the patio, but this term has entered our lexicon relatively recently. According to the architectural vocabulary, a patio is an open courtyard, often surrounded by galleries. It is widely distributed in Mediterranean countries and in Latin America. Apparently, in relation to modern gardens, the term "patio" is gradually gaining more and more extensive content. Let's try to understand this in more detail.
In a broad sense, a patio is a small isolated area in the garden, which most often directly adjoins the house or summer kitchen, but can also be arranged separately from summer cottages. If a patio is arranged near the house, then it becomes a kind of continuation of the internal space of the housing, another additional open-air room, which can be accessed directly from the house through wide sliding or hinged doors, which is especially convenient.
When organizing a patio area near the house, it is important to take into account the geographical location and climate of the area: in areas where the summer is cool, the patio, of course, is placed on the sunny side of the house.
PATIO FUNCTION
By definition, a patio is for outdoor living. However, rest is different, and therefore the functions performed by the patio may vary. Within the patio reserved for a relaxing pastime, meetings and feasts, a barbecue oven or at least a simple barbecue, as well as garden furniture: benches, chairs and a table are placed in a narrow circle. On the site, located in a sunny place, there may be sun loungers for sunbathing, you can also hang a hammock. If there are outdoor enthusiasts in the family, then it would be nice to provide for the placement of sports equipment or even a tennis table on the patio. To save from the bright rays of the sun and rain, a canopy or a translucent roof made of polycarbonate plastic is arranged.
BUILDING MATERIALS
The base of the patio is a platform paved with natural stone, clinker bricks, paving slabs on a concrete screed or on a sand and gravel cushion. However, the coating can be more budgetary, for example, filled with gravel, and also lightweight, when instead of paving boards or parquet boards are laid on the logs, constructing a garden deck or deck. On such a warm wooden surface heated by the rays of the sun, it is pleasant to walk barefoot and sit in a wicker chair.
Wood flooring must be protected from decay. One of the most promising methods is thermal. At high temperatures, the polysaccharides in the composition of wood are destroyed, and it becomes unattractive for microorganisms. The thermal board obtained as a result of such processing becomes resistant to fungi in both dry and wet environments. Recently, decking has become more and more widespread, which is a mixture of chopped wood and various polymeric substances (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.
). Such decking has high environmental friendliness and wear resistance. The material is resistant to moisture, does not rot, well resists the action of ultraviolet rays and temperature changes. Composite decking is easy to install and is great for creating light decking in the garden.
When deciding on the use of one or another material in the construction of a patio , of course, one should take into account the stylistic features of all structures on the site, the nature of paving and fencing. The size of the patio is calculated in such a way that it is combined with the scale of the house and garden. The width of the area adjacent to the house is usually made somewhat larger than the height of the first floor, i.e. not less than 3.0–3.5 m. Most often, the patio is designed square or round, but there are no strict rules in this regard, and if necessary, it can be elongated or triangular.
WALLS
Since the patio is mainly intended for rest and relaxation, then its main feature is privacy and security from the outside world.
And its space should not be exposed to the public. However, it is not at all necessary to surround the patio with walls, constructing a real patio - there are other ways to hide a private area from prying eyes.
The most common solutions are: the use of clipped hedges - green screens or vines. These techniques are traditionally used to divide the garden into zones and create secluded green rooms. The task is facilitated if the walls of the house serve as the boundaries of the patio on one or even two sides. A dense hedge is good for camouflaging your patio area and protecting it from the wind, but it can limit the amount of light that comes in. Therefore, the fence should not be very high: the smaller the patio area, the lower the height of the green walls.
PATIO LANDSCAPING PLANTS
Deciduous shrubs are often used to form a living patio fence, in which case the result is achieved faster, and the costs are less significant than when planting conifers .
Sheared hedges up to 1.5–2.0 m high are grown from common barberry and barberry Thunberg, brilliant cotoneaster, euonymus European, common privet, as well as white turf, river maple and high spirea. Depending on the planted plant species, they are densely planted in 1-2 rows at the rate of 1-3 specimens / rm. m. You can also separate the patio area from the rest of the garden space using vertical structures: trellises, trellises or garden screens.
This method is perhaps more elegant, since such a fence takes up less space , its surface turns out to be more openwork, moreover, beautifully blooming vines are used in decorating vertical structures: climbing roses , clematis , princes and climbing honeysuckles. They will turn the patio into a cozy green room with flowering walls. The list of vines, in addition, is easy to replenish with decorative types of perennials and annuals, such as morning glory, dubious tladianta, sweet peas, nasturtium or fiery red beans.
Completely enclosing the patio is also not worth it because in a confined space a person may feel uncomfortable. Also, do not deprive yourself of the pleasure of admiring the beauty of the garden from a comfortable platform. Experienced landscapers design a garden in such a way that the patio serves as one of the points of the site from which an attractive garden view opens up.
In fact, patio can be considered a separate small garden, built into the overall structure of the site.
The general complex also includes entrance arches and pergolas braided with plants, completely or partially covering the patio area.
If this zone is isolated and located away from the house, then a path is laid to it, which can also be arranged as a pergola, gallery or arcade. All these structures and structures become one with the patio. Ornamental plantings of shrubs and perennials along the fence, flower borders planted at the base of the trellis or lining the hedge can also be part of a large patio area.
If the patio area is formed on a site with a rugged relief and occupies part of the terrace, then the retaining wall or slope is decorated with shrubs with creeping and low spreading crowns, helping to create a dense or even continuous ground cover. These can be creeping willow and rocky willow, horizontal cotoneaster and Dammer's cotoneaster, ground cover roses, periwinkles or undersized, creeping conifers: junipers, microbiota, mountain pine, etc. Creeping and ampelous perennials also look attractive on slopes and walls: monetized loosestrife, yellow zelenchuk, ivy-shaped budra, subulate phlox, yasnotki and yaskolki.
Patios are often decorated with planters and flowerpots, as well as container crops that are taken out of the house in the summer to the street. A tub of orange blossoms or hibiscus in bloom , standing on paving slabs, will make your patio look like an Italian patio. And if it is also decorated with materials painted in the colors of terracotta and azure, then the resemblance to the Mediterranean prototype is guaranteed.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If the boardwalk is located in a shady and damp place, its surface, and especially the steps, can become wet and slippery. To protect against slipping, decking or shields with a corrugated, grooved surface are used; in the most dangerous places it can be tightened with a fine-mesh metal mesh. Along the edge of a paved area or deck, plants are placed in wooden tubs: tulips, lilies, hostas, compositions of attractive bush and ampelous annuals. They visually limit the private patio area and at the same time provide a gradual transition to the natural part of the garden.
If you are setting up an outdoor patio without a canopy, make sure that tree branches do not hang over the platform from above. In addition to the fact that the patio will be in the shade all the time, which is not so good in our cool climate, after a rain, drops of water will fall from the branches for a long time.
05/12/2020
The best ornamental plants for salt marshes.
Names, descriptions, photos — Botanichka Solonchak is a type of soil, which is characterized by the presence of easily soluble salts in their upper horizons, which prevent the development of many plants. Nevertheless, even for such difficult areas, suitable ornamental crops can be selected. What plants will not mind growing on salt marshes, I will tell in my article.
Best ornamental plants for salt marshesCauses of soil salinization
The soil may be rich in salts because the parent rock from which it is formed contains salts. Sea water is another source of salts in regions along the coast. Irrigation water itself is a very common source of salts in irrigated soils. The close standing of groundwater with a high salt content can also contribute to soil salinization.
The terms "salt" and "salinity" are often used interchangeably, but sometimes incorrectly. Salt is simply an inorganic mineral that can dissolve in water. Many people associate salt with sodium chloride (table salt).
In reality, the salts that are concentrated in the soil are often a combination of sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chlorides, nitrates, sulfates, bicarbonates, and carbonates.
Most crops grow poorly on soils containing salts. If your soil has a high salt content, the plants growing in it will not be as strong as in normal soils. Seeds will germinate poorly and plants will grow slowly and become stunted. If the salt concentration is too high, the plants will wilt and die no matter how much they are watered.
One of the reasons that salt marshes have such an effect on plants is that salt reduces the absorption rate and the amount of water that plant roots can take from the soil. In addition, some salts are toxic to plants at high concentrations.
With any luck, salt damage may only show up as leaf scorch, but in the worst cases, this leads to leaf death. The solution to this problem is the selection of salt-tolerant plants. Fortunately, there are many such crops, from annual flowers to shrubs and trees.
Salt-tolerant flowers
Salt-tolerant plants can be found among flowering and ornamental foliage plants that can be used to create flower gardens and flower beds. It can be both perennial and annual plants.
Monarda
Monarda ( Monarda ) - perennial with inflorescences of red, purple, pink or white, consisting of two-lipped flowers. Monarda is also used to make tea and treat bee stings. The height of upright bushes is from 40 to 90 cm. It grows in direct sun or in light partial shade. One of their main advantages is the ability of the plant to attract a variety of insects (including bees and butterflies) to the garden, as well as birds in the winter. Hardiness zones - 4 to 9.
Daylily
Daylily ( Hemerocallis ) is a reliable perennial for zones 3 to 9. Plant in full sun for best results. It has colorful tubular flowers that look like a lily (there are also double and "arachnid").
Each flower blooms for only one day, but the overall flowering period of the bush is long. Removing the flower stalks as all the flowers on them have withered will encourage waves of flowering until the fall. The leaves are narrow linear, also decorative.
Opuntia
Opuntia ( Opuntia compressa ) is a surprisingly easy cactus to grow in the garden. It is hardy enough to survive in cool climates down to at least USDA zone 4 (down to -30 degrees). This cactus can be grown from cuttings in early summer or from seeds sown in late spring.
Prickly pear is a great choice for adding an element of surprise to your landscape. Its stems are divided into flat, spatulate segments, and it also boasts cheerful, brightly colored flowers. Do not be alarmed if in winter it seems that these cacti dry out, as if blown away - this is their normal reaction to a state of rest, and in the spring they will pour again and restore their normal appearance. The plant is edible.
Grandiflora purslane
Grandiflora purslane ( Portulaca grandiflora ) is a very pretty low growing groundcover sometimes referred to as "sun rose". It is a very valuable plant due to its high resistance to heat and drought, it also spreads and spreads well. For proper care of purslane, you need to limit its watering.
Purslane looks very beautiful around rocks, at the garden path and in the foreground of the flower garden. Most often it is a mixture of colors of pink, red, yellow, orange, dark lavender, cream and white. Flowers are simple and double. This adorable annual will help attract butterflies to your garden and will always draw admiring glances.
Coleus
Coleus ( Coleus ) is used as an ornamental foliage culture for carpet plantings, flower beds in the sun and in partial shade, for flowerpots, balcony boxes and pots.
It is an evergreen perennial grown as an annual, mother liquors can be easily kept in the winter on a windowsill. To do this, the plants are transplanted into pots, cut by a third and kept on the windowsill. There are usually no serious problems with insects or diseases when growing coleus.
Spectacular multicolored leaves ovate to oblong and serrated in shape, often with an uneven pattern of mixed colors. The flowers are small in spike-shaped inflorescences from blue to white.
Lantana camara
Lantana camara ( Lantana camara ) is known for its rounded clusters of small bright flowers reminiscent of verbena. The flowers can be yellow, orange, white, red or purple, and often the color of the flower can change as it blooms, creating a two-tone effect. Lanthanum leaves have a citrus scent. It is used as a container, border and ground cover plant.
In the middle lane, perennial lanthanums are grown only in the summer months - as an annual.
It is better to place mother liquors for the winter in an unheated room and keep them at rest. In the garden, lanthanas love full or partial sun.
Salt tolerant vines
For vertical gardening to decorate buildings, gazebos and terraces, several salt tolerant vines can also be selected.
English ivy ( Hedera helix ) is an evergreen perennial that can be grown in the middle lane with light cover, or in places protected from the wind. English ivy can act as a groundcover, growing horizontally, but is primarily a vine. Thanks to the air roots, it can rise to a height.
Ivy needs protection from winter winds as well as from the hot summer sun. English ivy grows well from partial shade to full shade. Ivy should not be harvested in standing water or too wet soil.
Read more about ivy in the garden in the article The best plants for vertical gardening.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Parthenocissus quinquefolia is one of the most common vines in landscaping. Its leaves are divided into five distinct segments and turn from dark green to reddish-orange, burgundy and bright yellow in autumn. The berries of the liana are also decorative, they are of a rich dark blue color and are actively eaten by birds.
Unfortunately, the plant spreads uncontrollably and is not the best choice when a low-maintenance vine is needed. Although it is one of the shade-tolerant vines, it achieves its best fall color when grown in full sun.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). © ChironiusSalt tolerant shrubs and subshrubs
Shrubs help give structure to any landscape. Properly selected, they bring effect to the garden for a longer time than flowers. It is important to choose shrubs that retain their decorative effect in autumn and winter.
Rosa Rugosa
Rosa Rugosa ( Rosa Rugosa ) is one of the easiest rose varieties to grow.
Rugoza does not require special care, it is characterized by high frost resistance and resistance to pests and diseases. Most Rugosa roses are tall, spreading shrubs that need a lot of room to grow. Many of them are fragrant and, after flowering, set fruits, like those of a wild rose. They can adapt to challenging growing conditions including light shade, salinity, low temperatures, drought and high humidity.
It is best to plant this rose where it can lean against a structure such as a fence. Rugosa roses bloom in late spring and early summer. Many varieties repeat flowering, but the first will be the strongest. Coloring is very different: cranberry red, lavender pink, orange and white.
Whorled Holly
Whorled Holly ( Ilex verticillata ) is a deciduous shrub native to the United States that can be a great addition to the landscape as it produces bright red berries that persist throughout winter and spring. Bright berries not only add bright color to winter landscapes, but also attract birds to the garden.
Holly is a slow growing shrub with a rounded upright habit. The leaves are dark green and elliptical. Hardy in zones 3 to 9(USDA).
Pennsylvanian waxwort
Pennsylvanian waxwort ( Myrica pensylvanica ) is a dioecious deciduous shrub, densely branching, rounded, usually grows up to 3 meters in height. The flowers appear in individual catkins, with only the male flowers being colored (dull yellowish green). The flowers of the female plants, when pollinated, are followed by attractive clusters of tiny greyish-white fruits in late summer, which usually persist through the winter. The fruits are covered with a fragrant waxy substance.
Yucca filamentosa
Yucca filamentosa ( Yucca filamentosa ) is one of the easiest succulents to grow outdoors. Lamellar leaves form a basal rosette ending in thorns. A cluster of flowers usually appears in early summer - individual inflorescences in the form of white drooping bells.
This is a slow growing plant that may not produce flower heads until it is four or five years old. Yucca grows best in full sun and does not require shelter.
Rosa Rugosa. © ericy202 Filamentous Yucca (Yucca filamentosa). © songbirdPA Whorled holly (Ilex verticillata). © BlueRidgeKittiesSalt Tolerant Trees
With sufficient height, trees perform certain functions in the landscape that other plants cannot, such as providing shade, forming vertical dominants, zoning a site, and so on.
Red Oak
Red Oak ( Quercus rubra ) lives up to its name because it has dark red autumn foliage. In summer, it is green, up to 20 cm long, with 7-11 pointed lobes of the leaf blade. The trees are usually hardy and live for several decades, preferring sunny locations. The height of an adult tree is 20-25 m.
Staghorn or sumac
Staghorn or sumac staghorn ( Rhus typhina ) is a small tree or tall shrub with compound, feathery, fern-like leaves.
