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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Aurora, Colorado

📍 Aurora, CO 🌡️ USDA Zone 5b 🌱 320+ compatible plants

Gardening in Aurora

Aurora falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the −20°F to −10°F range. The 320+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Aurora

Chaste Tree
Chaste Tree
Vitex agnus-castus
Lavender-blue blooms crown this Chaste Tree in summer, creating a stunning, fragrant display. Deer resistant and drought tolerant, it thrives in USDA zones 6-9 while attracting pollinators.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Catmint
Catmint
Nepeta x faassenii
Blue-purple blooms brighten gardens from May to September, adding a long-lasting splash of color. This deer-resistant, pollinator-attracting perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-8 with low maintenance.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Caladium
Caladium
Caladium bicolor
Vibrant pink and white blooms light up shady spots from June to September, adding stunning color to any garden. Low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly, this annual thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with medium water needs.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Heuchera spp.
Vibrant coral bells dazzle with their colorful foliage and delicate spring blooms, adding year-round interest to any garden. This shade-tolerant, low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Little Bluestem
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Slender blue-green blades turn stunning copper-red in fall, creating vibrant seasonal color from summer to autumn. This drought-tolerant grass thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts beneficial pollinators while resisting deer.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Weigela
Weigela
Weigela florida 'Wine and Roses'
Vibrant deep wine-red blooms splash color from late spring to early summer, creating a stunning focal point in any garden. This low-maintenance shrub is deer resistant and thrives in USDA zones 4-8.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Honeycrisp Apple Tree
Honeycrisp Apple Tree
Malus domestica 'Honeycrisp'
Showcasing stunning pink and white blooms in spring, this Honeycrisp Apple Tree brightens any garden from April to May. Thriving in USDA zones 4-9, it attracts pollinators while producing delicious fruit with medium care.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum x morifolium
Vibrant blooms in shades of yellow, pink, and white brighten late summer to fall gardens with lasting color. Deer resistant and thriving in USDA zones 5-9, this low-maintenance beauty attracts pollinators.
Zone 5–9🐝 Pollinator
Maiden Grass
Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'
Graceful plumes of silvery pink bloom in late summer, adding elegant movement and texture to any garden. This low-maintenance grass thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Daylily Stella de Oro
Daylily Stella de Oro
Hemerocallis Stella de Oro
Vibrant golden-yellow blooms brighten gardens from late spring to fall, offering nonstop color and charm. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Limelight Prime Panicle Hydrangea
Limelight Prime Panicle Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight Prime'
Vibrant pink-to-white blooms from June to September light up gardens with a stunning summer display. This low-maintenance shrub thrives in zones 4-9, attracting pollinators while tolerating sun or part shade.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Adiantum Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum spp.
Delicate, bright green fronds create a lacy, elegant look that brightens shady spots from spring to fall. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9, attracting pollinators while being safe for pets.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

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Other Cities in Zone 5b

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Browse All 320+ Plants for Zone 5b

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.