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Plant Guide

Best Plants for New York, New York

📍 New York, NY 🌡️ USDA Zone 7a/7b 🌱 347+ compatible plants

Gardening in New York

New York falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a/7b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 0°F to 10°F range. The 347+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for New York

Creeping Bentgrass
Creeping Bentgrass
Agrostis stolonifera
The ultra-fine-bladed grass of championship golf greens. Creeping Bentgrass forms a velvety, dense carpet when mowed very low, but requires intensive maintenance and can escape into natural areas.
Zone 3–8🐾 Pet-Friendly†
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
Prairie Smoke
Prairie Smoke
Geum triflorum
Delicate pinkish-red blooms in spring transform into feathery seed heads that add whimsical texture to any garden. This drought-tolerant prairie native thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and attracts pollinators while resisting deer.
Zone 3–7🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal
Polygonatum odoratum
Graceful arching stems showcase creamy white, bell-shaped blooms in spring, adding elegant charm to shaded gardens. This shade-tolerant perennial is deer resistant and thrives in USDA zones 3-9.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Ceanothus
Ceanothus
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
Vibrant blue blossoms burst in spring on this evergreen shrub, creating a stunning coastal display. Deer resistant and drought tolerant, it thrives in USDA zones 7-10.
Zone 7–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Coleus
Coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides
Vibrant, multicolored foliage brightens summer gardens with shades of red, green, and purple that last through USDA zones 10-11. This low-maintenance, shade-tolerant plant adds striking color without attracting deer.
Zone 2–11🦌 Deer-Resistant
Elberta Peach Tree
Elberta Peach Tree
Prunus persica 'Elberta'
Showy pink and white blooms appear in spring, creating a stunning display from April to May. This medium-maintenance tree thrives in zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators while producing delicious fruit.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Japanese Silver Grass
Japanese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis
One of the most ornamental grasses available, Japanese Silver Grass offers stunning fall plumes and winter interest. Choose sterile cultivars to minimize invasive spread in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Goat's Beard
Goat's Beard
Aruncus dioicus
Feathery white plumes bloom in early summer, adding airy elegance to shady garden spots. This deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and attracts pollinators effortlessly.
Zone 3–7🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Black Gum
Black Gum
Nyssa sylvatica
Brilliant scarlet and orange foliage lights up fall, creating stunning seasonal color. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts vital pollinators.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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
Globe Thistle
Globe Thistle
Echinops ritro
Striking globe-shaped blue blooms dazzle from mid to late summer, adding vibrant texture to any garden. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

Get a Personalized Plant List for New York

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/7b.

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Other Cities in Zone 7a/7b

Philadelphia, PA Nashville, TN Oklahoma City, OK Washington, DC Memphis, TN Baltimore, MD Albuquerque, NM Raleigh, NC Tulsa, OK

Browse All 347+ Plants for Zone 7a/7b

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.