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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Atlanta, Georgia

📍 Atlanta, GA 🌡️ USDA Zone 7b/8a 🌱 335+ compatible plants

Gardening in Atlanta

Atlanta falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b/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 Atlanta

California Poppy
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Vibrant orange blooms light up spring and summer gardens with a cheerful glow. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant beauty thrives in USDA zones 6-10 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 6–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Cleveland Sage
Cleveland Sage
Salvia clevelandii
Fragrant silver-green leaves and vibrant purple-blue blooms light up summer gardens with a delightful scent. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant native thrives in USDA zones 8-11 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 8–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Japanese Maple
Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum
Vibrant red to orange foliage in fall makes this tree a stunning seasonal showstopper. Thrives in USDA zones 5-8 and offers low-maintenance, shade-tolerant beauty.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Mandevilla
Mandevilla
Mandevilla spp.
Vibrant pink and white blooms brighten summer from June to September, creating a stunning display in full sun. This low-maintenance annual attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Buttonbush
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Clusters of fragrant, globe-shaped white blooms brighten summer landscapes with unique texture and charm. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in wet soils, attracting pollinators and flourishing in USDA zones 5-11.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Armeria Sea Thrift
Armeria Sea Thrift
Armeria maritima
Delight in vibrant pink blooms that carpet gardens from spring to early summer, adding cheerful color to any landscape. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts beneficial pollinators.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Heuchera Palace Purple
Heuchera Palace Purple
Heuchera micrantha Palace Purple
Striking deep purple foliage adds rich color from spring through fall, complemented by delicate pink blooms in late spring. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators while being deer resistant.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Linden Tree
Linden Tree
Tilia spp.
Fragrant yellow and white blooms from June to September make this tree a stunning summer highlight. Attracting pollinators and thriving in zones 4-9, it’s low maintenance and dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Sedum Autumn Fire
Sedum Autumn Fire
Sedum 'Autumn Fire'
Vibrant pink and white blooms light up late summer through fall, adding fiery color to any garden from August to October. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in full sun, attracts pollinators, and is both dog- and cat-friendly (USDA zones 4-9).
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Azalea Encore
Azalea Encore
Rhododendron Encore series
Vibrant blooms in shades of pink, red, and white brighten spring through fall, offering nonstop color in your garden. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 6-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 6–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Wild Ginger
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Heart-shaped, deep green leaves create a lush groundcover that blooms with subtle, maroon flowers in spring. This shade-tolerant, deer-resistant plant thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and requires minimal care.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Allium Purple Sensation
Allium Purple Sensation
Allium aflatunense
Vibrant, globe-shaped purple blooms burst in late spring, creating stunning garden focal points. Deer resistant and hardy in USDA zones 4-8, it attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator

Get a Personalized Plant List for Atlanta

Answer 4 quick questions about your yard — sun, soil, deer pressure, and pet situation — and get a custom list of plants that will thrive in Zone 7b/8a.

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Other Cities in Zone 7b/8a

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

Browse All 335+ Plants for Zone 7b/8a

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

View All Zone 8 Plants →

† "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.