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Plant Guide

Best Plants for New York, New York

📍 New York, NY 🌡️ USDA Zone 7a/7b 🌱 346+ 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 346+ 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

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
Cimicifuga Bugbane
Cimicifuga Bugbane
Actaea racemosa
Tall spikes of fragrant pink and white blooms light up shady gardens from June to September, adding elegant vertical interest. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators while tolerating part shade.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Amsonia
Amsonia
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Sky-blue star-shaped blooms brighten late spring gardens with a soft, airy appeal. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant beauty thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
River Birch
River Birch
Betula nigra
Graceful, peeling bark and delicate catkins add year-round interest to landscapes, especially stunning in spring and fall. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and tolerates wet soils and occasional flooding.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet Potato Vine
Ipomoea batatas
Vibrant pink and white blooms brighten summer gardens from June to September, adding cheerful color and texture. Low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly, this dog- and cat-safe vine thrives in zones 4-9 with medium water needs.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Osmanthus
Osmanthus
Osmanthus heterophyllus
Fragrant white blooms in late summer add a delightful scent and elegance to any garden. This evergreen shrub is deer resistant, low maintenance, and thrives in USDA zones 7-10.
Zone 7–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Pasture Rose
Pasture Rose
Rosa carolina
Delight in clusters of soft pink blooms that brighten summer through fall with a sweet fragrance. This hardy rose thrives in USDA zones 3-9, attracting pollinators while being low maintenance and deer resistant.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Bergenia
Bergenia
Bergenia cordifolia
Bold clusters of deep pink blooms brighten early spring, creating vibrant garden interest. This hardy, deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-8 with minimal care.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 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
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
Showy pink and white blooms from June to September make this shrub a stunning summer standout. Low-maintenance and deer resistant, it thrives in zones 4-9 while attracting pollinators.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
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
Lavender
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Fragrant purple blooms light up summer gardens from June to August, creating a stunning and soothing display. This deer-resistant herb thrives in full sun (USDA zones 5-9) and attracts numerous pollinators.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 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 346+ 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.