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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Seattle, Washington

📍 Seattle, WA 🌡️ USDA Zone 8b 🌱 336+ compatible plants

Gardening in Seattle

Seattle falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 10°F to 20°F range. The 336+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Seattle

Geranium Sanguineum
Geranium Sanguineum
Geranium sanguineum
Vibrant pink blooms light up gardens from June to September, adding long-lasting color and charm. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in zones 4-9, attracts pollinators, and is both dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
American Hornbeam
American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
Delicate blue-green leaves turn vibrant orange and red in fall, adding stunning seasonal color. This shade-tolerant tree thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Candytuft
Candytuft
Iberis sempervirens
Bright white blooms burst in spring, creating a stunning carpet of color that lasts for weeks. This evergreen perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators while staying low maintenance.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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
Polystichum Christmas Fern
Polystichum Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Lush, evergreen fronds add year-round texture and vibrant green color to shaded garden spots, brightening fall and winter seasons. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant fern thrives in zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators while staying pet-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Bottlebrush Grass
Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix
Distinctive bottlebrush-shaped seed heads on upright stems make this native woodland grass a standout in shaded gardens. Thrives in dry shade where few grasses survive.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
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
Contender Peach Tree
Contender Peach Tree
Prunus persica 'Contender'
Vibrant pink blossoms burst in early spring, heralding juicy, sweet peaches by mid-summer. This cold-hardy tree thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and resists many common pests.
Zone 4–8🐾 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
Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
Vibrant pink and white blooms light up summer from June to September, creating stunning color in any garden. This low-maintenance tree attracts pollinators, thrives in full sun, and grows well in USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 6–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Knock Out Rose
Knock Out Rose
Rosa 'Knock Out'
Vibrant pink and white blooms dazzle from June to September, brightening gardens with nonstop color. Low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly, this deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Creeping Phlox
Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata
A vibrant carpet of pink, purple, or white blooms bursts forth in spring, creating stunning ground cover. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

Get a Personalized Plant List for Seattle

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 8b.

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Other Cities in Zone 8b

Dallas, TX Austin, TX Fort Worth, TX Charlotte, NC El Paso, TX Portland, OR Atlanta, GA Arlington, TX

Browse All 336+ Plants for Zone 8b

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

View All Zone 8 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.