I live in New Braunfels,TX we are in severe drought. Currently stage 3 watering I am looking for a plant under a Live Oak Tree so it is Dry Shade. I would prefer a white color for night viewing. So far I have planted lambs ear and frog fruit. All suggestions from gardeners say Hostas or Caladiums but we have a large herd of deer that go through on property that would eat those. I am looking for a plant 2-3' in height silver or white in a mass under Live Oak. Any suggestions?
Dry Shade drought tolerant plants zone 8 deer resistant
I have deer and California live oak in my backyard. I have Silene coronaria, which is more drought tolerant than lambs ears. You can even grow it from seed (pots in the sun) and then transplant it to the shade (won't self seed in the shade, it ended up in the shade as it self seeded aggressively in my flower garden in the sun. It has nice grey leaves and hot pink flowers, there is also a white flowering kind, I've never had any luck with the white one from seed. You know what else I've had grow good under the trees is foxglove. They don't have light colored leaves but you can get them in six packs and they flower so beautifully. Deer won't touch foxglove, it's what they make digitalis out of for heard conditions.
I would try salvia coccinea. There is a white variety. NPIN says it is deer resistent. http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SACO5
Anything toxic will do, clumps of calla Lilly? Clivia are incredible with Callas orange and white.
Ivy like the small leafed kind with white patterned leaves. A nursery could source a grower and they could propagate several flats for you.
One landscaper told me in shade , planting variegated plants creates a dappled shade look. Also trying to get flowering plants is almost impossible in deep shade under a mature tree because it out competes for water.
With this drought it may not be a great idea to plant large areas. Reserve your water for close to the house and patio areas and find a mulch, lay it on thick to preserve water for the Oak.
Yarrow is rather remarkable plant and perhaps worth a try. It's deer resistant, surprisingly shade tolerant (although it will need to be hemmed in at the bottom -- dental floss works) and drought resistant. There are many cultivars to try; it's rather inexpensive, and can even be grown from seed so it won't cost you much to experiment.
For ground cover, dead nettle (Lamium maculatum) is worth considering. I share your woes as I have dry shade (sand in my case) and deer. I've surrendered the color considerations and am just trying to get things to grow and look healthy!
Loves the dirt - Did you plant something? I ask because I have tried endless numbers of plants in the shade under my oaks with little success. The two that I've had the most success with are a fern, I believe it's called male fern? It's spread wonderfully. Also I have a small leaved ivy that has done well. Neither has been eaten by the ravenous marauding deer that I'm sure visit my backyard nightly.