10 Gorgeous Shade Plants That Deer Always Avoid

5. Foxglove (Digitalis)

A shaded woodland garden featuring deer-resistant plants like white and pink astilbe, hostas, and ferns growing densely together against a wooden fence. The low-angle shot captures the lush, layered foliage and delicate flower clusters of these shade plants, creating a deer-resistant sanctuary on a bright summer day.

When I first added Foxgloves to my shade garden, I had no idea they would become the stars of the show! These towering beauties create such a magical, cottage-garden atmosphere that visitors always stop in their tracks to admire them.

Growing Foxgloves Successfully

Let me share what I’ve learned about getting these stunning spires to thrive:

Plant in rich, well-draining soil
Provide partial shade to filtered sunlight
Keep soil consistently moist
Mulch well to retain moisture

One thing I discovered through experience: while they tolerate shade, they’ll bloom more prolifically with morning sun and afternoon shade.

Types of Foxgloves

I’ve experimented with several varieties, and here are my favorites:

Digitalis purpurea – classic purple-pink spires
‘Camelot Cream’ – elegant ivory blooms
‘Candy Mountain’ – upward-facing flowers
‘Pam’s Choice’ – white with dark spotted throats

Creating Cottage Garden Magic

The secret to that dreamy cottage garden look is all about companion planting. I pair my Foxgloves with:

Traditional roses
Japanese Forest Grass
Bleeding Hearts
Hellebores
Native ferns

Cut Flower Arrangements

Here’s my pro tip for using Foxgloves in arrangements: cut the stems when one-third of the flowers are open. This ensures:

Longer vase life
Maximum bloom display
Extended enjoyment
Fresh flowers opening daily

Maintaining and Propagating

Since Foxgloves are typically biennial plants, I’ve developed a strategy for continuous blooms:

Allow some flowers to go to seed
Scatter seeds in late summer
Thin seedlings in spring
Mark plant locations before winter dormancy

Important safety note: Remember that all parts of Foxgloves are toxic if ingested, so wear gloves when handling and keep away from curious pets and children.

Design Tips for Shade Gardens

I love using Foxgloves to create:

Vertical interest in boring corners
Woodland garden pathways
Dramatic backdrop plantings
Cottage garden vignettes

My favorite design trick is to plant them in groups of three or five for maximum impact!

Ready to discover another shade garden superstar? Click “next” to learn about Brunnera, also known as Siberian Bugloss. With its heart-shaped leaves and forget-me-not-like flowers, it’s like having a piece of the sky right in your garden! Plus, I’ve got some amazing tips for using its silvery varieties to light up the darkest corners of your landscape.

Remember: While Foxgloves might be short-lived, they’ll self-seed readily if you let them, creating that perfect, naturalized cottage garden look we all dream about! 🌸