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One of my greatest challenge as a designer anddeer - plagued gardener is unpredictability . There are no rule . No guaranty . Just guidelines . I ’ve watched deer devour thornyshrubsand trample fragrantlavenderin society to reach therosesbehind them . And tastes motley with the herd , season , mood , and availableness .
Diversity seems to be fundamental to disrupting their fickle perceptiveness - testing — which is a gravid excuse to experiment with the combinations shown here , all of which have survived multiple season with less - than - fatal browse .
Exuberant, but contained
Forced restraint is the report here . Flowering flannel bush is espaliered against the house walls ; ‘ Fireglow ’ spurge is corralled by beleaguer pave stones ; decorative containers encase stamp plants , ensuring sizing control as well as relief of transport ; and a berriedcotoneasteris carefully cut back to resemble a bejeweled octopus . On the reason plane , fragrant ‘ Elfin ’ thyme pussyfoot between flag , softening the terrace while also contrasting with the many spiky flora signifier and textures .
1 . Cotoneaster(Cotoneasterspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–8 )
2 . ashen - striped century plant(Agave americana‘Mediopicta Alba ’ , Zones 8–10 )
3 . ‘ California Glory ’ flannelbush(Fremontodendron‘California Glory ’ , Zones 8–10 )
4 . ‘ Howard McMinn ’ manzanita(Arctostaphylos densiflora‘Howard McMinn ’ , Zones 7–10 )
5 . New Zealand flax(Phormium tenax , geographical zone 8–11 )
6 . ‘ Fireglow ’ spurge(Euphorbia griffithii‘Fireglow ’ , Zones 4–9 )
7 . Crown of thorns(Euphorbia milii , Zones 9–11 )
8 . ‘ Elfin ’ thyme(Thymus serpyllum‘Elfin ’ , Zones 4–8 )
9 . ‘ Yellow undulation ’ New Zealand flax(Phormium‘Yellow Wave ’ , Zones 8–11 )
Get the cottage garden vibe
In a contemporary twist on the English cottage garden aesthetic , lavender , geranium , and white coneflowers mingle unapologetically with rich purple barberry and pale feathery grasses , ensuring color , scent , and flowers for many month . If barberries are invasive in your field , substitute with Midnight Wine ® weigela ( Weigela florida‘Elvera ’ , zona 5–8 ) .
1 . ‘ Grosso ’ lavender(Lavandula × intermedia‘Grosso ’ , Zones 5–8 )
2 . Rozanne geranium(Geranium‘Gerwat ’ , geographical zone 5–8 )
3 . Mexican feather grass(Nassella tenuissima , Zones 7–11 )
4 . ‘ White Swan ’ coneflower(Echinacea purpurea‘White Swan ’ , Zones 3–9 )
5 . ‘ Concorde ’ barberry(Berberis thunbergii*‘Concorde ’ , zone 5–8 )
Add a dash of heat to a cool combination
Weaving together velvety lambs ’ ears , stiff - goad conifers , and wispy locoweed creates an evergreen , textural feast that shade out weeds with style . The cool silver and blue ribbon of this unique carpet are enlivened by the tender orange highlights — an unexpected yet welcome color contrast .
1 . ‘ Helene von Stein ’ lambs ’ ears(Stachys byzantina‘Helene von Stein ’ , Zones 4–9 )
2 . Orange hair sedge(Carex testacea , Zones 7–9 )
3 . ‘ Blue Star ’ juniper(Juniperus squamata‘Blue Star ’ , Zones 4–8 )
Colorful foliage changes through the seasons
A model of coloured leafage ensures an eye - catching scene even before the golden black - eyed Susans begin to shine in summertime . A deep burgundy plum tree tree and smokebush offer high direct contrast to chartreuse foliage , while a see-through scrim of marvelous verbena interjects the element of surprise . This scene will include bold , fiery shades of red and orange in fall as the smoke bush and Arkansas bluestar take center stagecoach .
1 . Arkansas bluestar(Amsonia hubrichtii , Zones 5–8 )
2 . ‘ Grace ’ smokebush(Cotinus‘Grace ’ , zone 5–8 )
3 . ‘ Gateway ’ Joe Pye weed(Eutrochium maculatum‘Gateway ’ , Zones 3–8 )
4 . ‘ Thundercloud ’ cherry red plum(Prunus cerasifera*‘Thundercloud ’ , Zones 5–8 )
5 . ‘ Forever Goldie ’ western red cedar(Thuja plicata‘Forever Goldie ’ , Zones 5–7 )
6 . lucky locust(Robinia pseudoacacia * ‘ Frisia ’ , Zones 4–9 )
7 . Tall verbena(Verbena bonariensis , Zones 7–11 )
8 . Black - eyed Susan(Rudbeckia fulgidavar.sullivantii‘Goldsturm ’ , Zones 4–9 )
Don’t forget the smaller moments
Spiky bract of blue sea holly pierce a softly heave carpet of sweet genus Alyssum , create layers of downcast and livid blooms . Both plants are remarkably drouth tolerant once established and have prove to be cervid and rabbit tolerant in my garden , yet they attract many different pollinator .
1 . ‘ Sapphire Blue ’ sea holly(Eryngium‘Sapphire Blue ’ , Zones 4–9 )
2.Sweet alyssum(Lobularia maritima * , annual )
Every kind of plant is at your disposal
Evergreen conifer jostle with deciduous shrubs , perennial , and bloom bulbs in an inspiring potpourri of texture and color . The low - needled fir stands as a sheer counterpoint to the turgid boulders and balances the willowlike Ag foliage of a weeping willowleaf pear . Mounding bush add structure , perennial flowers and medulla introduce seasonal interest , and a rug of silver artemisia crumple the terra firma plane together . The entire combining is surprisingly drouth tolerant as well as cervid immune .
1 . opprobrious - eyed Susan(Rudbeckia fulgidavar.sullivantii‘Goldsturm ’ , Zones 4–9 )
2 . ‘ Millenium ’ ornamental onion(Allium‘Millenium ’ , Zones 4–8 )
3 . ‘ Silver Brocade ’ artemisia(Artemisia schmidtiana‘Silver Brocade ’ , Zones 3–8 )
4 . Dwarf spicy corkbark fir(Abies lasiocarpa‘Glauca Compacta ’ , Zones 3–7 )
5 . ‘ Ogon ’ spirea(Spiraea thunbergii‘Ogon ’ , Zones 4–8 )
6 . Weeping willowleaf pear(Pyrus salicifolia‘Pendula ’ , Zones 4–7 )
7 . ‘ Blue Shag ’ easterly white pine(Pinus strobus‘Blue Shag ’ , Zones 3–8 )
8 . ‘ Orange Rocket ’ barberry(Berberis thunbergii * ‘ Orange Rocket ’ , Zones 4–9 )
- These plant may be considered invasive in your field .
Karen Chapman is a landscape designer in Duvall , Washington , and the source ofDeer - immune Design . Photos by the author .
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