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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Columbus, Ohio

📍 Columbus, OH 🌡️ USDA Zone 6a 🌱 331+ compatible plants

Gardening in Columbus

Columbus falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the −10°F to 0°F range. The 331+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Columbus

New Jersey Tea
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Delicate clusters of creamy white flowers bloom in early summer, adding soft beauty and fragrance to any garden. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and attracts beneficial pollinators.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Torenia Wishbone Flower
Torenia Wishbone Flower
Torenia fournieri
Delightful blooms in pink, white, purple, and blue brighten shady spots from June to September with vibrant color. This low-maintenance annual attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Scentsation Honeysuckle
Scentsation Honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation'
Fragrant pink and white blooms from June to September fill the air with sweetness, adding vibrant charm to any garden space. This low-maintenance vine attracts pollinators, thrives in zones 4-9, and is both dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Veronica Speedwell
Veronica Speedwell
Veronica spicata
Vibrant spikes of blue to purple blooms light up summer gardens with long-lasting color. This low-maintenance perennial, hardy in USDA zones 3-8, attracts pollinators and resists deer.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Abelia
Abelia
Abelia × grandiflora
Delightful pink and white blooms grace this shrub from June to September, adding vibrant color to your garden. Low maintenance, deer resistant, and a magnet for pollinators, it thrives in zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Sassafras
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Bright yellow blooms in early spring add cheerful color while attracting pollinators to your garden. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant tree thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with medium water needs.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Holly
Holly
Ilex meserveae Blue Princess
Striking blue-green leaves contrast beautifully with bright red berries that brighten winter gardens. This deer-resistant holly thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and offers year-round low-maintenance appeal.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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
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
Panicle Hydrangea
Panicle Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata
Showy panicles of pink and white blooms light up your garden from June to September with vibrant, long-lasting color. This low-maintenance shrub attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with medium water needs.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
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
Sideoats Grama
Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Golden oat-like blooms sway gracefully in late summer, adding warm color and texture to any garden. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant grass thrives in USDA zones 4-9, attracting beneficial pollinators.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†

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Other Cities in Zone 6a

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Browse All 331+ Plants for Zone 6a

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

View All Zone 6 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.