Christmas fern
Mature size: 18–24 in.
Evergreen texture in dry to moist shade.
Planting for this region
Plants for shade, slopes and deer around Chattanooga.
Zone 7b in the valley, closer to 7a on the mountains. Thin sandstone soil up high, red clay over limestone below.
01
Shade under oaks & tulip poplars
The quiet, layered planting that makes a wooded yard feel intentional.
Oakleaf hydrangea
Mature size: 4–6 ft.
A native anchor for bright shade and woodland edges.
Wild ginger
Mature size: 6–10 in.
Groundcover for rich, consistently shaded soil.
Foamflower
Mature size: 8–12 in.
A soft flowering layer under deciduous trees.
Allegheny spurge
Mature size: 8–12 in.
Durable, deer-resistant evergreen cover.
Hellebores
Mature size: 12–18 in.
Early flowers where shade meets morning light.
Mountain laurel
Mature size: 6–15 ft.
A mountain-soil shrub for filtered light.
02
Slopes that need to stay put
Planted in staggered pockets through coir erosion matting so roots take over before a hard rain can move the soil.
Pennsylvania sedge
Mature size: 8–18 in.
Fine, flexible cover for part shade.
Little bluestem
Mature size: 2–4 ft.
Deep-rooted structure in sun and lean soil.
Low fragrant sumac
Mature size: 2–4 ft.
Spreading woody cover for sunny slopes.
Switchgrass
Mature size: 3–5 ft.
Strong upright roots for moisture swings.
03
What deer leave alone
No plant is deer-proof, but these are the reliable choices we reach for here.
Ferns
Mature size: 1–3 ft.
Best in woodland shade.
Hellebores
Mature size: 12–18 in.
Spring color where deer browse.
Boxwood
Mature size: 2–5 ft.
Evergreen structure in well-drained soil.
Spicebush
Mature size: 6–12 ft.
Native shrub for sun to shade.
Mountain mint
Mature size: 2–3 ft.
Pollinator-friendly and aromatic.
River birch
Mature size: 40–70 ft.
Tough native tree for damp ground.
Plainly put: Nell will not plant hostas on the mountain without a fence. Deer eat them to the ground, along with azaleas, daylilies, and arborvitae.
“Three years of hostas eaten to the stem. Nothing she planted has been touched.”
- Gene and Patty M., Lookout Mountain
Planting for the yard you have
Start with a site visit.
We will look at shade, slope, soil, water, and deer before we choose a single plant.
Hand-drawn plans•In-house install crew•Arborist on staff