These plants will lose their foliage in winter, so if yours still has any of the previous years foliage, then this can be cut back. Then all you need to do is keep it well fed and watered (and keep the fence off it), and it should bounce back.

Helen

Hello, There are a few that can grow in reasonably dry soil (see below), but even these will need to be kept really well watered until they have become well established. Polypodium vulgare http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/polypodium-vulgare/classid.1835/ Polystichum http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/_/search.polystichum/sort.0/

Helen

Hello, These are not particularly early into growth in spring, so I suspect you just need to make sure they are kept well watered and you will start to see the new growth quite soon.

Helen

Hi Helen To let you know I have just ordered all of your suggestions below. Thanks again for taking the time to help

Crocus Helpdesk

Hello There, You could use any of the following plants, but as they are reasonably mature they will really fill the baskets.Hosta Devon Green http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/perennials/hosta-devon-green/classid.2000009302/ Carex oshimensis Evergold http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/grasses/carex-oshimensis-evergold/classid.680/ Dryopteris erythosora http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/ferns/dryopteris-erythrosora-/classid.1823/ Hosta undulata var. albomarginata http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/perennials/hosta-undulata-var.-albomarginata/classid.3032/ Asplenium http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/ferns/asplenium-scolopendrium-/classid.1808/ Blechnum http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/ferns/blechnum-spicant-/classid.1816/

Mike Simpson

Deer can be a real problem and deer proof plants are usually thorny, poisonous or simply taste awful, but it is hard to give a definitive list as you might get the odd deer with unusual tastes which might like the bitter taste! Below is a list of good plants that generally are quite successful though. Cornus varieties, Rhus, Sophora, Solanum, Berberis, Rosemary, Buxus, Cotoneaster, Ilex, Pyracantha, Garrya, Juniperus, Nandina, Elaeagnus, Aralia, Aucuba, Cortaderia, Yucca, Santolina, Hypericum, Myrtle, Vinca, Achillea, Digitalis, Echinacea and Dryopteris. Finally, fencing is one method to protect garden crops from deer. Since deer jump, you need an 8-foot fence for best results or stout chicken-wire fencing securely around smaller garden plots. Alternatively, fence the area with a thorny shrub, preferably something that will grow to at least 6 feet. Deer eat roses and some thorns but hawthorn, boxwood and holly will exclude them. Deer are also deterred by dogs, hanging aluminum foil, mirrors, wood that hits objects in the wind and other noise-makers. Some old-fashioned repellents are human hair and blood and bonemeal. Hanging bars of fragrant deodorant soap from branches may work. Other well-known deer repellents are mothballs or moth flakes spread on the ground or put in mesh bags for hanging in a tree. Unfortunately though, no repellent is 100 percent effective, especially if the deer population is high and deer are starving.

Crocus

Deer can be a real problem and deer proof plants are usually thorny, poisonous or simply taste awful. It is hard to give a definitive list as you might get the odd deer with unusual taste which might like a bitter taste, but the following is a list of plants that generally are quite successful. Cornus varieties, Rhus, Sophora, Solanum, Berberis, Rosemary, Buxus, Cotoneaster, Ilex, Pyracantha, Garrya, Juniperus, Nandina, Eleagnus, Aralia, Aucuba, Cortaderia, Yucca, Santolina, Hypericum, Myrtle, Vinca, Achillea, Digitalis, Echinacea and Dryopteris. Finally fencing is one method to protect garden crops from deer. Since deer jump, you need an 8-foot fence for best results or stout chicken-wire fencing securely around smaller garden plots. Alternatively, fence the area with a thorny shrub, preferably something that will grow to at least 6 feet. Deer do eat roses and some other thorns but hawthorn, boxwood and holly tend to keep them out. Deer are also deterred by dogs, hanging aluminum foil, mirrors, wood that hits objects in the wind and other noise-makers. Some old-fashioned repellents are human hair and blood and bonemeal. Hanging bars of fragrant deodorant soap from branches may work. Other well-known deer repellents are mothballs or moth flakes spread on the ground or put in mesh bags for hanging in a tree. Unfortunately though, no repellent is 100 percent effective, especially if the deer population is high and deer are starving.

Crocus