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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Aurora, Colorado

📍 Aurora, CO 🌡️ USDA Zone 5b 🌱 318+ 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 318+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Aurora

Japanese Tree Lilac
Japanese Tree Lilac
Syringa reticulata
Showcasing large clusters of creamy white flowers in early summer, this tree lilac brightens landscapes with its elegant bloom display. Hardy in USDA zones 3-7, it’s low maintenance and deer resistant, making it a reliable choice for diverse gardens.
Zone 3–7🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 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
Primrose
Primrose
Primula vulgaris
Delight in vibrant yellow blooms brightening early spring gardens with cheerful charm. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and attracts pollinators effortlessly.
Zone 4–8🐝 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†
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
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†
Gaura
Gaura
Oenothera lindheimeri
Delicate pink and white blooms dance from June to September, adding airy beauty to any garden space. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators while being dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Dryopteris Wood Fern
Dryopteris Wood Fern
Dryopteris spp.
Lush, arching fronds create a vibrant green backdrop in part shade from spring through fall, adding texture and depth to any garden. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant fern thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators while being safe for pets.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Camellia
Camellia
Camellia japonica
Showcasing stunning pink, white, or red blooms from fall to spring, this evergreen shrub brightens gardens in USDA zones 4-9. Low maintenance and pet-friendly, it thrives in part shade while attracting valuable pollinators.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Ligularia
Ligularia
Ligularia dentata
Bold, golden-yellow blooms brighten late summer gardens with striking, large purple-green foliage. This shade-tolerant, moisture-loving perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and resists deer.
Zone 3–8🐝 Pollinator
Viburnum Blue Muffin
Viburnum Blue Muffin
Viburnum dentatum Blue Muffin
Clusters of fragrant white blooms in spring give way to vibrant blue berries that attract birds in fall. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and requires low maintenance.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Spiderwort
Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
Vibrant blue-purple blooms brighten late spring to early summer, creating a stunning, naturalized look. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

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Other Cities in Zone 5b

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Browse All 318+ 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.