Zone 8b Mountain Home

Question

We just purchased a mountain home zone 8b, We have 1/3 acre to work with, it has a seasonal stream through the middle, the previous owner did a wonderful job of creating terraced walkways (paths) and used a lot of moss covered granite throughout the property. Big sequoias, pines and oak trees all about that make for year round shade. it is at the 3500 ft level, gets warm in the summer and well below freezing in the winter. we get an average of 74″ of snow a year. we would love year round greenery lush almost rain forest appearance. There are many deer that frequent the property that we don’t want to destroy our efforts. we won’t be wrapping plants in wire, so will need to be resistant. Is this something you could advise us on and provide the plants necessary to achieve the year round low maintenance appeal we are looking for?

Answer 1

We don't sell plants, but we can provide some articles with suggestions. You need plants that thrive in shade and likely acidic soil such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camelials, for example. Here is more:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/evergreens-for-shade.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/shade-loving-shrubs.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-8/zone-8-shade-gardening.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-8/zone-8-deer-resistant-plants.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/deer/deer-proof-evergreens.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/deer/deer-repellents.htm