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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Baltimore, Maryland

📍 Baltimore, MD 🌡️ USDA Zone 7a 🌱 348+ compatible plants

Gardening in Baltimore

Baltimore falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 0°F to 10°F range. The 348+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Baltimore

Brunnera
Brunnera
Brunnera macrophylla
Delightful heart-shaped leaves and vibrant blue spring blooms brighten shady spots with a splash of color. This low-maintenance, shade-tolerant beauty thrives in USDA zones 3-8.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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Sourwood
Sourwood
Oxydendrum arboreum
Delight in the Sourwood's fragrant white blooms that light up summer with delicate charm and vibrant fall foliage in zones 5-9. This low-maintenance tree is drought-tolerant and attracts pollinators, adding year-round interest to your garden.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)
Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)
Vinca minor
Glossy evergreen leaves and vibrant periwinkle-blue blooms brighten spring and summer landscapes with lasting color. This low-maintenance groundcover thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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Japanese Cherry
Japanese Cherry
Prunus serrulata Kwanzan
Striking double pink blossoms burst in spring, creating a stunning floral display that brightens any landscape. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 5-8 and is moderately deer resistant.
Zone 5–9🐝 Pollinator
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Leucothoe
Leucothoe
Leucothoe fontanesiana
Glossy, arching leaves turn fiery red in fall, adding vibrant seasonal color to your garden. This shade-tolerant, deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-8 with minimal care.
Zone 5–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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Chicago Hardy Fig Tree
Chicago Hardy Fig Tree
Ficus carica 'Chicago Hardy'
Vibrant green leaves and sweet, edible figs ripen late summer to fall on this hardy tree. Thrives in USDA zones 5-9, it's cold-tolerant and low maintenance.
Zone 5–10
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Dahlia
Dahlia
Dahlia pinnata
Vibrant pink and white blooms dazzle from June to September, adding long-lasting color to sunny gardens. Low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly, this Dahlia thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with medium water needs.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
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Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle
Lonicera spp.
Fragrant pink and white blooms from June to September brighten gardens while attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. This low-maintenance, dog- and cat-friendly vine thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with medium water and part shade.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Mahonia
Mahonia
Mahonia aquifolium
Clusters of bright yellow flowers bloom in early spring, adding vibrant color after winter’s dullness. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and attracts early pollinators.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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Loropetalum
Loropetalum
Loropetalum chinense
Vibrant pink and white blooms light up this evergreen shrub in early spring, adding a splash of color from zones 7-10. Low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly, it thrives in full sun to part shade while being safe for pets.
Zone 7–10🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii
Vibrant purple blooms burst from summer to fall, attracting butterflies in a dazzling display of color. This drought-tolerant shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and is low maintenance.
Zone 5–9🐝 Pollinator
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Sugar Maple
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Brilliant orange and red foliage lights up fall, creating stunning seasonal color from late September to October. This hardy tree thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and provides shade while being low maintenance and deer resistant.
Zone 3–8🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Get a Personalized Plant List for Baltimore

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 7a.

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Other Cities in Zone 7a

New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Nashville, TN Oklahoma City, OK Washington, DC Memphis, TN Albuquerque, NM Raleigh, NC Tulsa, OK

Browse All 348+ Plants for Zone 7a

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

View All Zone 7 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.