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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

📍 Philadelphia, PA 🌡️ USDA Zone 7a 🌱 348+ compatible plants

Gardening in Philadelphia

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia

Rodgersia
Rodgersia
Rodgersia pinnata
Bold clusters of coppery-pink blooms burst in summer, creating a stunning focal point with lush, textured foliage. Thrives in shade, is deer resistant, and grows well in USDA zones 4-8.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Bald Cypress
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
Feathery, soft foliage turns stunning shades of pink and white from June to September, adding vibrant color to summer landscapes. This low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly tree thrives in full sun across USDA zones 4-9 and is safe for pets.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Coral Bells
Coral Bells
Heuchera micrantha
Vibrant coral-red blooms brighten late spring, adding a splash of color to any garden. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Limelight Panicle Hydrangea
Limelight Panicle Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'
Showcasing stunning white to pink blooms from June to September, this shrub brightens gardens with its long-lasting color. Low-maintenance and deer resistant, it thrives in USDA zones 4-9 while attracting pollinators.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Salvia
Salvia
Salvia nemorosa
Vibrant blue, purple, and red blooms dazzle from May to October, adding long-lasting color to any sunny spot. This deer-resistant Salvia thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators all season.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Karl Foerster Grass
Karl Foerster Grass
Calamagrostis x acutiflora Karl Foerster
Tall, graceful plumes of golden tan bloom from early summer to fall, adding elegant texture to any garden. This low-maintenance ornamental grass thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Columbine
Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Delicate red and yellow blooms brighten spring and early summer with a whimsical, nodding shape. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts hummingbirds while resisting deer.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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
Mullein
Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
Tall spikes of soft yellow blooms light up summer gardens with a unique, fuzzy texture. Thrives in USDA zones 3-9, it's drought-tolerant and deer resistant, making care easy.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Azalea Encore
Azalea Encore
Rhododendron Encore series
Vibrant blooms in shades of pink, red, and white brighten spring through fall, offering nonstop color in your garden. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 6-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 6–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Pin Oak
Pin Oak
Quercus palustris
Striking red leaves in fall make this Pin Oak a seasonal showstopper from spring through autumn. Its sturdy, fast-growing nature and adaptability to USDA zones 4-8 make it low maintenance and urban tolerant.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 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

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Other Cities in Zone 7a

New York, NY Nashville, TN Oklahoma City, OK Washington, DC Memphis, TN Baltimore, MD 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.