Looks like people might want to walk off deck into yard? I would keep it simple and just put two large decorative pots overflowing with deer resistant plants. Beds r work to weed, mulch, water and maintain and it looks like you already have beds in yard. You could even do a grouping of pots in each corner of varying heights. Mix in a lot of sunny loving plants, maybe even succulents so they r easy to maintain in sunny location. We have deer around us too and have found begonias, giant snapdragons and colorful lantana deer leave alone. Margolia also are deer resistant and bunnies don't like either. Hope this helps.

I meant "marigolds" -- darn auto fix.

hi natalie, deer love hydrangeas, azaleas, and rhododendron and hosta, as you already know. frustrating isn t it? have you tried any hollies, otto luyken laurel or osmanthus? they seem to leave those alone. you have a nice yard.

Thanks Liserb! My husband worked hard to get the yard where it's at. Strangely they leave our rhodies alone. We just planted a climbing hydrangea last week and we're going to see how it goes. The Otto looks lovely! I was a bit disappointed when I googled it and found out it's highly toxic for dogs :(. It looks so unique and pretty.

natalie, thanks for info on poisonous laurel...glad mine is outside of dog fence! had no idea. do you like buddleia or butterfly bush. deer don t seem to bother those

Pots are perfect. For your bed, try lantana. They come in many colors and I think color would be good in this bed. They are an annual but mine live thru even harsh temps over winter. I just make sure to cut them back about 4-5 weeks or so before you expect first freeze. When u cut back, they will produce new growth and you want that growth to mature before any frost/freeze. I haven't had luck with the thyme you mention. Since you have a lot of green perennials I would want some color. But personal choice. Tip: the eye sees whites and yellows first, so those colors would be good choices for curb appeal.

unfortunately, beautiful lantana is also poisonous. portulaca is colorful like lantana and does well in pots. if your pots are big enough, plant several plants together. i like to get nursery pots and plant several with different annuals and put enough soil in decorative pot so that i can drop nursery pot in larger planter. you can change them out as needed. hanging baskets are inexpensive and you can take the hanger off and plop that in your decorative too.

There is some controversy about lantana being poisonous. Never heard that but researched it and while any plant can be hazardous, some feel the hazard is minimal. I and my neighbors have used it liberally in our landscapes with lots of wildlife, pets and children. To the best of my knowledge there have been no issues. Something to consider. Good input.

So this is what I ended up doing. Now I have to work more on the bed. We're moving the border out a little more later this week so there's more room to have a layered effect. Thank you for your help. Always open to more suggestions :)

Looks lovely. Above comments are right on target for blooming, etc. I would move the pots so you don't step into the landscape light. You can position either side of those which will direct footpath. Looking good! Didn't cost much either!! Great!

Lantana will not be hardy in zone 6B, especially if they are in pots. But they are great plants. Portulaca is no substitute, and although it's colorful, it is a magnet for slugs. Ick.