Is Big Blue Lilyturf Deer Resistant? What to Expect

Deer can strip a new planting to bare ground in a single night, and that fear drives most of the questions we get about this plant. Big Blue Lilyturf is one of the few evergreen groundcovers that deer and rabbits mostly leave alone, so it pays you back with a tidy border you never have to fence or spray. Plant it wrong, though, and you can still lose ground.

We'll walk you through why resistant does not mean deer-proof, then how to space, site and pair it, what to do after a nibble or a hard winter, and how it gets along with rabbits, birds, bees and slugs. Plant it, leave it alone, and let it fill in.

Big Blue Lilyturf and Deer: Resistant Is Not Deer-Proof

The most common mistake we see is planting Big Blue and then expecting a force field. NC State lists it as deer and rabbit resistant, not deer-proof. In a hard winter, a hungry herd will sample almost anything, and a nibble on a bare new bed gets mistaken for failure.

Our advice is to plant it, hold your nerve, and skip the fencing and repellent sprays that most people recommend for every groundcover. The foliage is tough enough that a taste rarely turns into a meal.

Is Big Blue Lilyturf truly deer resistant?

Yes, Big Blue Lilyturf exhibits high deer resistance. Deer typically avoid the plant because its strap-like foliage and dense growth habit offer little nutritional appeal compared to softer, more palatable plants. Once established, it reliably survives in moderate to high deer pressure zones without protective fencing.

What makes Big Blue Lilyturf unattractive to deer compared to other plants?

The texture and structure of the plant discourage browsing. Deer prefer tender, broad-leafed plants over tough, strap-like foliage and woody growth. Big Blue Lilyturf's dense clumping habit and evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage provide little of what deer seek when foraging.

Will deer eat Big Blue Lilyturf flowers or foliage?

Deer rarely browse either one. The violet-purple flower spikes stay about 6 to 8 inches tall and open in late summer into autumn. They are even more resistant to browse than the foliage. This plant works as both an ornamental and a deterrent in mixed borders.

Does Big Blue Lilyturf need fencing to stay protected from deer?

No, fencing is not required. Its high deer resistance means it can thrive in open landscapes without protective barriers. This makes it an economical choice for large mass plantings where installing and maintaining deer fencing would be impractical.

Plant It Right in Deer Country

Set it up once and it takes care of itself. Space clumps about as far apart as they will be wide at maturity, and follow our spacing guide for borders versus mass plantings.

Can I rely on Big Blue Lilyturf as the sole groundcover in a deer-heavy area?

Yes, when spaced 12 to 18 inches apart, Big Blue Lilyturf creates a dense, cohesive cover that both deters deer and fills space quickly over its 2 to 3 year maturity window. Pair it with other deer-resistant companion plants like ferns, astilbe, and hellebores to build a layered, resilient landscape.

Should I plant Big Blue Lilyturf in full sun or shade in deer-heavy areas?

Either works, since it grows from full sun to full shade. Flowers are produced most freely in sun, according to Clemson, while foliage color and density are best in part shade. Deer resistance is the same in both, so choose the spot for the look you want.

Can I use Big Blue Lilyturf under trees in a deer-browsed landscape?

Absolutely. The plant tolerates shade under trees and pairs naturally with hostas and other shade companions. This makes it an ideal choice for creating layered, deer-resistant understory plantings beneath canopy trees.

Is Big Blue Lilyturf good for erosion control on slopes where deer roam?

Yes, one of the plant's key landscape uses is erosion control. The dense clumps hold soil, and its deer resistance means the plants stay established on open slopes without protection. It is a clump former, so set plants close enough that they knit together and mulch the gaps until they do.

What companion plants pair well with Big Blue Lilyturf in deer-resistant borders?

Ferns, astilbe, and hellebores are excellent companions that share Big Blue Lilyturf's shade tolerance and deer resistance. Hostas are a deer favorite, so skip them in deer country. Combine plants at different heights and bloom times to extend ornamental interest from spring through fall.

In our rows, deer walk right past the lilyturf to get at the hostas. Keep that in mind when you plan a border.

Should I avoid tender plants when pairing Big Blue Lilyturf with other groundcovers?

Yes, stick with plants that have similar or higher deer resistance. Since Big Blue Lilyturf itself is a dependable choice, surrounding it with equally tough plants like ferns or heuchera ensures a cohesive, resilient border that won't create weak points where deer browse selectively.

Handle Nibbles, Winter Bedding and the Long Haul

Damage on this plant is usually minor and temporary. Cut back old foliage before new growth starts, as our cutting-back guide explains, because pruning should happen before spring growth begins.

Will deer trample or bed down on Big Blue Lilyturf?

Although deer typically avoid eating the plant, heavy foot traffic or deer bedding in winter can temporarily flatten or damage the foliage, especially in colder zones. The plant recovers quickly once spring growth begins, and you can speed recovery by cutting back old foliage in late winter or early spring.

What should I do if I notice browsed or damaged foliage?

If isolated damage appears, monitor the plant over the next few weeks. Most damage to Big Blue Lilyturf is incidental rather than intentional browsing. Established plants regenerate quickly, so simply remove dead or damaged leaves and allow new growth to emerge.

Is Big Blue Lilyturf safe in zones where deer populations spike seasonally?

Yes, the plant's high deer resistance holds across USDA zones 5 to 10, even in areas with seasonal deer surges. In zones 5 and 6, where foliage may brown or die back in harsh winters, the plant will still recover in spring, unaffected by deer pressure.

NC State lists the plant for USDA zones 5a through 10b. Check our hardiness zone guide for how it behaves at the cold end.

Do I need to replant Big Blue Lilyturf after deer damage?

No replanting is typically necessary. Big Blue Lilyturf is a long-lived perennial that persists 10 or more years with occasional division. Even if browse damage occurs, the plant bounces back without intervention.

Will Big Blue Lilyturf's deer resistance decline as the plant matures?

No, the plant's deer resistance remains consistent throughout its lifespan, which commonly exceeds 10 years. Established clumps are just as unappealing to deer as younger plants, making this a lasting solution.

Do I need to fertilize or treat Big Blue Lilyturf to maintain its deer-resistant properties?

No special treatment is needed. A light application of general-purpose or slow-release fertilizer in spring supports healthy growth, and the plant tolerates lean soil. Routine maintenance like cutting back old foliage in late winter improves appearance without affecting deer resistance.

Will dividing Big Blue Lilyturf clumps affect their deer resistance?

No, division does not change the plant's properties. Dividing established clumps in spring is the standard propagation method and results in new plants with the same high deer resistance as the parent.

Rabbits, Birds, Pollinators and Pests

Deer are not the only visitors. Here is how Big Blue holds up against the rest of the cast.

Is Big Blue Lilyturf resistant to rabbit damage?

Yes, rabbits also tend to avoid Big Blue Lilyturf because its tough, strap-like foliage and dense growth structure offer little food value. The plant pairs well with other rabbit-resistant perennials in mixed borders.

Will groundhogs or other burrowing animals damage Big Blue Lilyturf plantings?

Groundhogs and voles do not target Big Blue Lilyturf for food. Their burrowing can still disturb soil around plantings, so firm the soil back around any disturbed clump and water it in. Dense spacing leaves them less room to dig.

Will birds or other wildlife damage Big Blue Lilyturf?

Birds will not damage the foliage. In fact, the plant attracts bees to its flowers and produces black berry clusters that birds eat through winter, adding to your landscape's wildlife appeal without harming the plant. Pet owners often ask whether those berries are toxic to dogs and cats.

Is Big Blue Lilyturf attractive to beneficial pollinators?

Yes, the violet-purple flowers attract bees and other pollinators when they bloom in late summer into fall. This makes the plant a functional choice for supporting pollinator populations while maintaining its ornamental role.

Are slugs or snails a threat to Big Blue Lilyturf in moist areas?

Slugs and snails can be occasional pests, particularly in areas with consistently wet conditions. Space plants adequately for air circulation, ensure well-drained soil, and monitor young plantings. Established clumps are more resistant to damage.

What about scale insects on Big Blue Lilyturf?

Scale insects are a possible but uncommon pest. They rarely cause significant damage and can typically be managed through light pruning or removal of affected foliage. Healthy, established plants show strong resistance to pest pressure.

Quick Reference

Use this table as a quick check on the key numbers for deer-prone plantings.

Aspect	Details
Deer Resistance	High, browsing is rare
Rabbit Resistance	Yes, plant is unpalatable
Common Pests	Slugs, snails, scale insects (rare)
USDA Zones	5-10 (evergreen zones 7-10, semi-evergreen 5-6)
Mature Height	12-18 inches foliage, bloom spikes to about 6-8 inches
Spacing for Mass Plantings	12-18 inches apart
Time to Full Coverage	2-3 years
Best Light	Full sun to full shade (best foliage in part shade, most flowers in sun)
Lifespan	10+ years (long-lived perennial)
Bloom Time	Late summer into autumn
Bloom Color	Violet-purple spikes
Wildlife Benefit	Attracts bees, berries eaten by birds

Plant Big Blue, Trust It, and Leave It Alone

Big Blue Lilyturf is deer and rabbit resistant, not deer-proof, and that is plenty for most landscapes. Space it at 12 to 18 inches, pair it with equally tough plants, remove damaged leaves after a rough winter, and skip the fencing and sprays. The clumps fill in over two to three years and keep their resistance as they age.

As a small grower, we care about getting deer advice right because a bed that fails costs you money and costs us your trust. We grow Big Blue Lilyturf on our own farms and sell top-quality plants, so what we tell you here is what we do in our own rows.