Stubborn mountain spot

Hey friends, up in Jasper GA in the Blue Ridge Mountains, what would you plant to begin improving the soil? Zone 7, constant dappled shade, rocky thin soil, alkaline from the marble deposits, on a slope, and subject to depredation from deer and turkeys. I'm thinking nasturtium, beans, passionflower, maybe lupine, maybe Salvia lyrata--what else? I'm trying to help my mom with her yard!

Welcome to the forum!

I am not familiar with all sage plants though the Salvia lyrata sounds like it will work.  Deer have never bothered my variety of sage plants.

If there is a way to use the sage to surround the other plants until they can get established the plants you mention probably will work.

The thing about deer is that they will try to taste plants and then spit the plant out because they did not like the taste.

Unfortunately, then plants are often ruined when the deer do that.

As I said above if there is a way to protect the plants until the plants can get established that would be a good idea.

Best wishes for your stubborn mountain spot.