The 9 Best Deer Resistant Shrubs that Love Shade

Finding the perfect shrubs for shaded areas can be a challenge, especially when you're also looking for varieties that are deer-resistant.

But there are several shrubs that not only thrive in shade but are also unappealing to deer which we tested and have experience with. In this article, we will explore some of the best deer-resistant shrubs suited for shade.

In This Article

1. Hellebore

4. Yew

7. Japanese Pieris

3. Inkberry Holly

2. Skimmia Japonica

5. Leatherleaf Mahonia

9. Rhododendron

8. Daphne

6. Sacococca

This deer resistant shrub named Hellebore is excellent for adding winter interest to shaded areas, growing up to 60 cm (2 ft) tall. These perennials are known for their early-spring flowers, available in various colors. We found that they prefer well-drained soil and are largely ignored by deer due to their tough, leathery leaves.

Hellebore

Skimmia Japonica

Skimmia Japonica is a compact evergreen shrub that reaches around 1 m (3 ft) in height. It boasts fragrant white flowers and red berries, thriving in part to full shade. We grew it in our garden and saw that Skimmia's glossy leaves and dense growth make it unattractive to deer, making it a safe choice for shaded garden spots.

Inkberry Holly

Inkberry Holly, with its evergreen foliage and black berries, can reach up to 2-3 m (6-10 ft). It prefers acidic, well-drained soil and full to partial shade. Deer often bypass Inkberry similar to deer resistant Hellebones and Skimmia, making it a safe choice for shaded gardens.

Yew

This type of shade garden plant which is great for pruning, named Yew, is a high fencing bush for breaking the wind or creating privacy in gardens and green spaces because it has a compact foliage and reaches heights of 10m to 15m (33–49 ft). The evergreen bush is also low maintenance and great for landscaping.

Leatherleaf Mahonia

Leatherleaf Mahonia is a deer resistant privacy shrub that stands out with its holly-like leaves and yellow flowers. It reaches a height of around 1.5-2 m (5-6 ft) and thrives in partial to full shade. This evergreen shrub prefers well-drained soil and is known for its resistance to deer. Its appearance adds great texture to shaded garden areas.

Sarcococca

Sweet Box, reaching about 90-120 cm (3-4 ft) in height, is valued for its sweet-scented winter flowers and glossy evergreen leaves. It thrives in full to partial shade and well-drained soil. Deer tend to avoid Sweet Box, making it a great addition to shaded gardens.

Japanese Pieris

Japanese Pieris are colorful shade plants reaching heights of 1-3 m (3-10 ft) are known for their cascading clusters of white flowers and colorful foliage. It can be grown as a fast growing shrub for shade that thrives in acidic, well-drained soil and partial shade, and is generally deer resistant.

Daphne

Winter Daphne is a common shade bush with its fragrant, pink-tinged flowers, is a real garden treasure. Growing up to 1 m (3 ft) in height, it prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. This slow grower is ideal for small spaces or near walkways where its scent can be enjoyed.

Rhododendron

Rhododendron is a shade-loving shrub with colorful flowers that can help keep deer out of a garden. It grows up to 1-2 m (3-6 ft), and requires acidic, well-draining soil. Rhododendrons are available in various colors and are perfect for adding a burst of color to shady areas. Their thick leaves are generally unattractive to deer, making them a safe choice for a woodland garden.

Sources

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1. Skimmia Japoica: Skimmia japonica (Japanese Skimmia) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

2. Hellebore: Hellebore: Plant, Grow and Care for Hellebores | BBC Gardeners World Magazine

3. Rhodendron: Rhododendron | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

4. Daphne: Daphne caucasica (Caucasian Daphne) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

5. Japanese Pieris: Pieris japonica | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

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Calin Oancea

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Calin is in the garden industry for 5 years now and knows a lot about gardening and plants. He owns this website and responsible for most of the content.