Fall can be a time of reflection in the garden, when you ask yourself, what worked well or what went wrong?

One of your issues might very well have been deer pressure. If you are considering adding some early spring-flowering ground covers to your landscape and have an issue with hungry deer, I have a few suggestions for drought-tolerant perennials.

Finding the right ground cover can feel like searching for the proverbial needle in the haystack. Among some of my early-flowering favourites are Epimedium species, Phlox stolonifera and Dianthus species, as they offer aesthetic appeal alongside exceptional hardiness.

These perennial ground covers suppress weeds, reduce maintenance needs and provide visual continuity across your landscape.

Commonly called barrenwort or “fairy wings,” (Epimedium ssp.) is an elegant solution for shaded, dry areas. These low-growing perennials typically reach eight to 12 inches tall and spread steadily by rhizomes, creating a lush carpet within a few seasons.

What makes Epimedium truly special is its delicate, heart-shaped foliage and airy flower displays that dance on wiry stems in spring. Once established, these plants thrive in the dry shade beneath trees and eaves, areas where moisture-loving ground covers struggle.

Their semi-evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, often developing coppery or bronze tones in cold weather. Popular varieties include Epimedium grandiflorum, with its large flowers, and Epimedium perralderianum, which offers bright yellow spring blooms and marbled foliage.

Epimedium's deer resistance is legendary among gardeners in high-pressure wildlife areas and once the plant establishes itself, you can essentially forget about it, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.

Creeping phlox, or Phlox stolonifera, offers a different appeal. This semi-evergreen ground cover spreads via stolons, creeping stems that root as they travel, creating a dense mat 4 to 6 inches tall. Unlike its cousin Phlox subulata, Phlox stolonifera tolerates drought better, making it an ideal choice for Okanagan garden conditions.

In spring, creeping Phlox produces showy, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, transforming the groundcover into a colorful blanket.

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