Vines and Groundcovers Deer Rarely Browse and Destroy

Looking to plant a vine or groundcover in an area that sees a lot of deer travel and browsing? These selections are all ones that are listed by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences as plants that deer rarely browse. These can be good choices if you frequently have plants that are chewed and destroyed by deer browsing and grazing. All these vines and groundcovers are less likely to see deer browsing.

Carpet Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

A member of the mint family, this is a fast growing perennial groundcover that is evergreen. It grows six to 10 inches tall with dark green basal leaves. Flowers are in whorls and are blue or purple typically, but some cultivars are red, white, or pink. Stems are square, which is standard for mint plants. It prefers to grow in partial shade or full shade with a moist well-drained soil. It should be propagated by stolons, cuttings, or seed. Carpet bugleweed is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 4 through 9.

Confederate Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

A member of the dogbane family, this is a fragrant easy to grow evergreen vine that is drought tolerant. New leaves are lighter green than mature leaves. Flowers are white pinwheels that have a nice scent to them. It has wiry stems that are slender and covered with leaves. It can grow 40 feet up tree trunks and other items. Confederate jasmine prefers to grow in bright sun or partial shade. It is drought tolerant when established. Propagate by cuttings, using root hormone. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 8 through 10.

False Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)

This is also known as Chinese plumbago, leadwort, and dwarf plumbago. It is from the leadwort family of plants and is a perennial. Flowers are blue and in small clusters. Deciduous leaves are long with wavy margins. Reddish stems are woody. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall. False plumbago leaves are orange-red in the fall. It prefers full sun or partial shade with a moist but well-drained soil. Propagate by sucker division or by softwood cuttings. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 5 through 9.

University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Floridata: Carpet Bugleweed

Floridata: Confederate Jasmine

Floridata: False Plumbago