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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Arlington, Texas

📍 Arlington, TX 🌡️ USDA Zone 8a 🌱 335+ compatible plants

Gardening in Arlington

Arlington falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 10°F to 20°F range. The 335+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Arlington

Penstemon
Penstemon
Penstemon digitalis
Showy white tubular blooms brighten late spring to early summer, creating a stunning display in any garden. This drought-tolerant perennial attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 3-8.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Tall Garden Phlox
Tall Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata
Clusters of fragrant, vibrant pink to purple blooms light up summer gardens with dazzling color. This deer-resistant beauty thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and attracts pollinators all season long.
Zone 4–8🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Geranium Sanguineum
Geranium Sanguineum
Geranium sanguineum
Vibrant pink blooms light up gardens from June to September, adding long-lasting color and charm. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in zones 4-9, attracts pollinators, and is both dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Blue Grama Grass
Blue Grama Grass
Bouteloua gracilis
Delicate, sky-blue seed heads crown slender stems, adding graceful movement and color from summer to fall. This drought-tolerant, low-maintenance grass thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 3–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Mountain Laurel
Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Clusters of star-shaped pink and white blooms light up late spring with stunning color and unique form. This deer-resistant evergreen thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Bur Oak
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Massive, rugged leaves and striking acorn cups make Bur Oak a standout in fall with golden hues. This drought-tolerant giant thrives in USDA zones 2-8 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Vibrant scarlet blooms light up late summer gardens, attracting hummingbirds with their striking color. This moisture-loving perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 3–9🐝 Pollinator
Matteuccia Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Lush, feathery fronds of Matteuccia Ostrich Fern add vibrant green texture to shady garden spots from spring through summer. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9, attracting pollinators while being safe for pets.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Buffalo Grass
Buffalo Grass
Bouteloua dactyloides
This warm-season grass boasts fine, blue-green foliage that turns golden in fall, adding year-round interest. Highly drought-tolerant and deer resistant, it thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with minimal care.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Andromeda
Andromeda
Pieris floribunda
Clusters of delicate white to pink blooms brighten early spring with stunning color. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-8 and attracts pollinators while requiring minimal care.
Zone 5–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas
Vibrant pink and white blooms brighten summer gardens from June to September, adding cheerful color and texture. Low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly, this dog- and cat-safe vine thrives in zones 4-9 with medium water needs.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Hosta
Hosta
Hosta sieboldiana
Lush, blue-green leaves contrast beautifully with delicate white to lavender blooms in midsummer, brightening shady spots. This shade-tolerant, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 with minimal care.
Zone 3–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

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Other Cities in Zone 8a

Dallas, TX Austin, TX Fort Worth, TX Charlotte, NC Seattle, WA El Paso, TX Portland, OR Atlanta, GA

Browse All 335+ Plants for Zone 8a

The 12 picks above are a sample. Use the full directory to filter by sun, water, deer resistance, and more.

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† "Pet-friendly" means not listed as toxic by ASPCA for dogs and/or cats. Always supervise pets around plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.