The Deer-Resistant Ground Cover That'll Make Your Yard A Lush Pollinator Paradise

A good ground cover can not only help you prevent erosion, but can also stop weeds and unwanted plants from taking up residence in your yard and garden. Unfortunately, if your ground cover is considered a delicacy for deer, they may quickly nibble it all away, leaving you once again with bare soil. Luckily, broadleaf stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium) is not only deer resistant, but is also a perfect ground cover for attracting pollinators to your yard.

Native to the western coast of North America, broadleaf stonecrop thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9. This low growing succulent produces adorable yellow flowers in early summer which are a huge hit with butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds. And while few, if any, plants are truly deer proof if the animals are hungry enough, broadleaf stonecrop is relatively deer resistant. Even better, as it is a succulent, broadleaf stonecrop requires little water, making it a great option for gardeners who want to try the xeriscaping trend but don't want to give up having a lush ground cover.

Unsurprisingly for a sedum, broadleaf stonecrop thrives in full to part sun and is quite drought tolerant. It is not overly picky about soil type, as long as it has good drainage. In fact, broadleaf stonecrop actually grows best in soil that is not overly rich. And because it's evergreen, you won't have to worry about having a garden full of bare soil once the winter months arrive.

 A single broadleaf stonecrop plant can spread to around 2 feet wide, which means you may only need a few to cover a significant amount of ground. These plants only grow about 2 inches in height, though their flowers are a bit taller when they bloom. This makes broadleaf stonecrop perfect for adding to the front of pollinator gardens, especially if it's paired with other deer and drought resistant pollinator plants, like coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), which thrive in similar conditions. Alternatively, you could use broadleaf stonecrop as a drought tolerant lawn substitute. Just be aware that it cannot handle much foot traffic.