What to plant out front?

I could use some help!

This spring DH and I decided to put in some plants in front of our house. The requirements and preferences cut our list to rather low. We wanted two 'anchor' plants and some interesting plants in between. We ended up with Agapanthus "Lily of the Nile" as the anchors with Ruellia 'Katie' and lavender in between.

Our biggest issue is deer. They are NOT shy on our street (I had to chase one off the porch this weekend) and browse everything. Second issue is lighting. Our house is east/northeast-facing with trees so sunlight is fairly minimal. Thirdly, we uprooted lantana and sage as they were far too leggy/bushy and grew too fast to maintain on our schedules.

So the deer chewed the agapanthus down to the dirt (thankfully they're still alive), the lavendar didn't make is (mostly my fault) and half the Ruellia died before it established. Now, I'm much much smarter than I was a few months ago. I am digging up the lily to put in the backyard away from Bambi and I'm replacing with some lovely Variegated Cast Iron plant. Of course the ruellia has spread its wings a bit so I can replace the deceased cousins. But! We'd like a little more color (if possible) or interesting plants as long as they meet the requirements (2-3' or smaller). There is sooo much in plantfiles I don't even know where to start! We need all the help we can get. :)

(oh, and the yellow snapdragon are a test. I don't think they'd survive here)

This message was edited Oct 12, 2010 5:31 PM

What kind of sun do you get?

Thanks StephanieTX!

To the right side of the picture we get some direct morning to afternoon sun but towards the left side gets mostly shade and a filtered sun from a hackberry tree. I think that's why the Ruellia on the right is much healthier looking than the ones further to the left.

You might consider Chile Pequin. It grows really well in the shade, and grows to a clump 2-3' tall. But I don't know if deer like it or not. Same with Turk's Cap.

Carla

Okay, are you wanting deer resistant plants? I'm not sure there's really such a thing. LOL

lol! Well, I may just settle with the marigold, ruellia and the cast iron plant. I got some society garlic at a swap yesterday that I may put around something else. We'll see!

You could also try Frostweed, Rock Rose (but that might get too wild for you), and some of the salvias.