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Plants for Difficult Places

Sun-tolerant and deer-free sugestions?

23 years ago

Hello everyone,

We live in Tampa, FL in a wooded/wetlands area. We have 2 major problems.

1. I'd like some recomendations on some colorful, full-sun tolerant flowers and plants. Are landscaping does not look exciting and most of the plants and flowers I like, my wife says will not live in the full Florida sun. We usually end up getting pentas, which are nice, but kinda boring, if you know what I mean.

2. Second problem is what I assume to be deer eating our flowering plants. We bought a bunch of nice hibiscus, as well as a few other flowering plants to line the side of the house and such. These plants have been picked over and everytime they get any green on them, they will be eaten again. It's very frustrating.

Any advice on the above 2 topics?

Thanks, Aaron

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Comments (4)

wanda
23 years ago
Many Salvias (and there are a bazillion spp) love sun and are deer resistant. Lavenders are another.

wanda
PattyinStLouis
23 years ago
Iris,jonquils are great. Deer won't touch them. Cleomes are great. Mint, gaillardia. russian sage, coneflowers, all the grasses. So far, they have never touched my crepe myrtle or japanese maple and they've eaten everything else around it. Zinnias are fine. Cosmos. Lambs ears. Vinca major and minor, but be careful it is invasive, the same with ageratum.
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PattyinStLouis
23 years ago
Also marigold and geranium
Min3 South S.F. Bay CA
22 years ago
I discovered that stringing heavy fishing line about 2 feet above my garden - making an open web - keeps the deer out. They feel something against their legs, which are so skinny they have to be really careful of not breaking them, and so they stay away. This web has worked perfectly for me since summer.

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