Best Deer-Resistant Groundcovers for Zone 5

Best Deer-Resistant Groundcovers for Zone 5

Low-growing groundcovers that deer won't eat solve two problems at once: they suppress weeds and eliminate the need for constant replanting after deer damage. These 22 options for Zone 5 stay low and are reliably deer resistant.

Lungwort

Pulmonaria officinalis — Delightful spotted leaves and clusters of pink to blue spring blooms add early color to shady spots. This deer-resistant, low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-8.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: full shade
• Zones: zones 3–8 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Creeping Phlox

Phlox subulata — A vibrant carpet of pink, purple, or white blooms bursts forth in spring, creating stunning ground cover. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.

• Height: 6 inches
• Light: full sun to partial shade
• Zones: zones 3–9 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Ajuga

Ajuga reptans — Vibrant blue-purple blooms carpet the ground in spring, creating a stunning, low-growing display. This deer-resistant groundcover thrives in USDA zones 3-10 and attracts pollinators while requiring minimal care.

• Height: 10 inches
• Light: partial shade
• Zones: zones 3–10 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Lamium

Lamium maculatum — Silver-marbled leaves and delicate pink to purple blooms brighten shady spots from spring to early summer. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant groundcover thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and attracts pollinators.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: partial shade
• Zones: zones 3–8 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Dianthus

Dianthus deltoides — Vibrant pink blooms with a sweet fragrance light up late spring gardens, adding charm and color. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: full sun
• Zones: zones 3–9

Armeria Sea Thrift

Armeria maritima — Delight in vibrant pink blooms that carpet gardens from spring to early summer, adding cheerful color to any landscape. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts beneficial pollinators.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: full sun
• Zones: zones 4–8 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Candytuft

Iberis sempervirens — Bright white blooms burst in spring, creating a stunning carpet of color that lasts for weeks. This evergreen perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators while staying low maintenance.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: full sun to partial shade
• Zones: zones 3–8 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Epimedium

Epimedium x rubrum — Delicate ruby-red blooms appear in spring, adding vibrant color to shady garden spots. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 5-8.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: partial shade
• Zones: zones 4–9 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Sweet Woodruff

Galium odoratum — Delicate white star-shaped blooms carpet the ground in spring, filling shady spots with a sweet, vanilla-like fragrance. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and attracts beneficial pollinators.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: full shade
• Zones: zones 4–8 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia — Delicate white to pinkish blooms brighten spring gardens with a frothy, airy display. This shade-loving, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: partial shade
• Zones: zones 4–8 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense — Heart-shaped, deep green leaves create a lush groundcover that blooms with subtle, maroon flowers in spring. This shade-tolerant, deer-resistant plant thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and requires minimal care.

• Height: 10 inches
• Light: full shade
• Zones: zones 3–8 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Begonia (Wax)

Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum — Bright, glossy leaves and vibrant pink, red, or white blooms brighten summer gardens with nonstop color. This low-maintenance beauty thrives in shade and is deer resistant, USDA zones 10-11.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: partial shade
• Zones: zones 2–11

Calibrachoa (Million Bells)

Calibrachoa × hybrida — Vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink, purple, and red brighten gardens from spring through fall. This low-maintenance beauty thrives in USDA zones 9-11 and attracts pollinators effortlessly.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: full sun
• Zones: zones 2–11 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

Vinca minor — Glossy evergreen leaves and vibrant periwinkle-blue blooms brighten spring and summer landscapes with lasting color. This low-maintenance groundcover thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is deer resistant.

• Height: 6 inches
• Light: partial shade
• Zones: zones 4–9

Pachysandra

Pachysandra terminalis — Evergreen Pachysandra features glossy green leaves that brighten shady spots year-round with subtle white spring blooms. This low-maintenance groundcover thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and is deer resistant.

• Height: 12 inches
• Light: full shade
• Zones: zones 4–8 Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats.

Why Zone 5 Matters

USDA Hardiness Zone 5 defines the minimum winter temperatures your plants must survive. Choosing plants rated for your zone — or colder — ensures they come back year after year without replanting.

Tips for Success

• Plant in groups — massed plantings establish faster and are more visually impactful
• Water during establishment — even drought-tolerant plants need consistent moisture in their first season
• Mulch generously — 2–3 inches of mulch conserves moisture and suppresses weeds

Explore More

Browse our full plant directory to filter by zone, sun requirements, deer resistance, and pet safety — all in one place.

Plant recommendations are based on USDA zone data and reported gardener experience. Individual results may vary based on microclimate, soil conditions, and local deer populations.