Bugleweed, barrenwort, dead nettle and Japanese spurge are the groundcovers deer leave alone most reliably in Maine. All four also handle shade.
- Bugleweed — Fast spreader with bronze or variegated leaves.
- Barrenwort — Tough in dry shade under trees.
- Dead Nettle — Silver leaves brighten shade.
- Japanese Spurge — Classic evergreen cover for shade.
- Creeping Thyme — Fragrant and handles foot traffic.
- Stonecrop — Thrives in hot, dry spots.
- Lily of the Valley — Toxic, so deer skip it.
- Sweet Woodruff — Fragrant, spreads in shade.
- Snow in Summer — Silver mats for sunny slopes.
- Lamb's Ear — Fuzzy leaves deer avoid.
Barrenwort 'Rubrum'
Epimedium 'Rubrum'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Barrenwort 'Versicolor Sulphureum'
Epimedium 'Versicolor Sulphureum'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Barrenwort 'White Queen'
Epimedium 'White Queen'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Bugleweed 'Black Scallop'
Ajuga 'Black Scallop'
from $6.99 · 1QT
- Deer resistant
- Rabbit resistant
- Colorful foliage
Bugleweed 'Bronze Beauty'
Ajuga 'Bronze Beauty'
from $6.99 · 1QT
- Deer resistant
- Rabbit resistant
- Colorful foliage
Bugleweed 'Catlin’s Giant'
Ajuga 'Catlin's Giant'
from $6.99 · 1QT
- Deer resistant
- Rabbit resistant
- Colorful foliage
Bugleweed 'Chocolate Chip'
Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip'
from $6.99 · 1QT
- Deer resistant
- Rabbit resistant
- Colorful foliage
Candytuft 'Alexander's White'
Iberis 'Alexander's White'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Winter interest
Candytuft 'Little Gem'
Iberis 'Little Gem'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Winter interest
Candytuft 'Purity'
Iberis 'Purity'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Winter interest
Candytuft 'Snowflake'
Iberis 'Snowflake'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Winter interest
Cranesbill 'Azure Rush'
Geranium 'Azure Rush'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Fragrant
Tips
- Plant 12 to 18 inches apart and mulch between plants.
- Water weekly the first season until they knit together.
- Keep vigorous spreaders like lily of the valley away from lawns and beds.
Frequently asked questions
Which groundcover is best for shade?
Pachysandra, barrenwort and dead nettle all handle shade and are rarely eaten by deer.
Which groundcover handles foot traffic?
Creeping thyme tolerates light foot traffic between stepping stones.
How fast do groundcovers spread?
Most fill in within two to three seasons.
Can groundcovers replace lawn?
Yes, in areas without heavy foot traffic, especially shade and slopes.