A unicorn, I know. The area gets decent AM sun but soon that will be a bit filtered as the trees fill in. Would prefer evergreen, but the only ones that can tolerate some shade seem to be toxic (holly, boxwood). I am going to plant the biggest hostas and ferns I can find, but would love some things that at least look like SOMETHING in winter (i.e., at least some structure if not evergreen leaves).

This is for my tortoise's pen--some things she will eat and love, most she might try and then not be that into, but I cannot risk her trying something that is toxic. Period.

I found out about salal, which would work, but I cannot find any local nurseries that carry it.

If anyone has ideas, I would appreciate it! Pic of new pen with hardscaping done and ready for plants once we are past frost danger. The tree is a Rose of Sharon--Beasley can safely eat the leaves and the flowers.

I would work from the opposite direction: research what tortoises of Beasley's species can eat, then look for those—most especially plants native to Beasley's natural habitat that will grow in your climate. Also, "toxic" is a vague term. Some substances poisonous to humans and dogs might not harm reptiles (I don't know this, just suggesting the possibility).

I checked a couple of lists and found fun things like Abelia, Jasmine, Buddleia, Forsythia. All of these can do with a least partial shade.

CPPgardener said:
I checked a couple of lists and found fun things like Abelia, Jasmine, Buddleia, Forsythia. All of these can do with a least partial shade.

Thanks! I checked the database of "safe for tortoises" and Abelia and Forsythia would work. Buddleia is invasive so probably not. I will see what the nursery has!

NMoasis said: I would work from the opposite direction: research what tortoises of Beasley's species can eat, then look for those—most especially plants native to Beasley's natural habitat that will grow in your climate. Also, "toxic" is a vague term. Some substances poisonous to humans and dogs might not harm reptiles (I don't know this, just suggesting the possibility).

Definitely true. I check everything here and if it doesn't come up at least "feed sparingly" and preferably "feed in moderation," I don't plant it. :-)
https://www.thetortoisetable.o...

You know?
At my house... One year During the drought, I noticed the gopher tortoises eating yellow cosmos... I thought that was kinda neat... They usually eat grass, but sometimes squash leaves and occasionally a bite of Cnidoscolus stimulosus.... Also neat...
I have video (somewhere) of the tortoise eating horse apples... (poop).

If it was me, I'd totally research what they eat... plant that.

I've got a picture on site of the tortoise with a mouthful of tramp weed...

Hey, I'd forgotten the name of that, I think of it as "hairy weed."

It does make sense to choose shade tolerant plants that one also finds ornamental from a list of plants your interesting pet likes to eat.

I'm not pushing the suggestion but just FYI, most Buddleias sold @ stores should be sterile cultivars, meaning they can't make seeds.

You might also look into Cephalotaxus, the plum yew. Unlike the Yew, this one is not toxic, and even produces edible fruit I think. (I'd have to double check.) But it also takes some shade and is a needled evergreen! So there's an idea maybe.

Gooseberry relatives also take part shade, offer ornamental and/or edible features, and might be okay for your purpose if the tortoise wouldn't be bothered by thorns. Some types of raspberry could do the same. How about shade-loving huckleberries?

Can you tell I'm thinking about orchard-style plants that might maybe make good fodder as well? I don't know if Lonicera (honeyberry, honeysuckle) would work in that capacity, but that's another idea.

Young Thuja (arborvitae, evergreen) I think can tolerate shade and I'd guess are more edible (not for human tastes) than not. Maples, too! I don't know if hemlocks are in the edible category, but they take more shade than many evergreens. Dogwoods may be worth looking into.

Anyway, such is my brainstorm. Sounds like a fun project!