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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Seattle, Washington

📍 Seattle, WA 🌡️ USDA Zone 8b 🌱 337+ 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 337+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Seattle

Black Mondo Grass
Black Mondo Grass
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'
Near-black, grass-like evergreen foliage that makes a striking urn skirt, edging, or contrast groundcover. Slow-spreading clumper for USDA zones 6–11.
Zone 6–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Gardenia
Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides
Fragrant white to cream blooms light up summer through early fall, filling gardens with sweet, heady aroma. This low-maintenance evergreen shrub thrives in part sun, attracts pollinators, and grows well in USDA zones 7-9.
Zone 7–9🐝 Pollinator
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
Astilbe
Astilbe
Astilbe x arendsii
Feathery plumes of pink, red, white, or purple bloom from June to August, brightening shady garden spots with vibrant color. Thriving in USDA zones 3-8, this low-maintenance beauty is shade tolerant and attracts pollinators.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Nandina
Nandina
Nandina domestica
Delicate clusters of white to pink blooms in spring add year-round interest with vibrant red foliage in fall. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 6-9 and requires minimal care.
Zone 6–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 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†
Turk's Cap
Turk's Cap
Malvaviscus arboreus
Vibrant red, hibiscus-like blooms appear from summer to fall, adding bright color to shady spots. This deer-resistant beauty thrives in USDA zones 8-11 and attracts hummingbirds.
Zone 7–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Rainier Cherry Tree
Rainier Cherry Tree
Prunus avium 'Rainier'
Showy pink and white blooms appear in spring, adding a stunning splash of color and attracting pollinators from April to May. This medium-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and grows 4-8 ft tall in full sun.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Gladiolus
Gladiolus
Gladiolus hortulanus
Vibrant gladiolus blooms in shades of pink, red, yellow, orange, and purple from June to September, adding stunning vertical color to your garden. Low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly, this sun-loving bulb thrives in USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
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
Peony
Peony
Paeonia lactiflora
Lush, fragrant blooms in shades of pink and white brighten late spring gardens with stunning color. Deer resistant and thriving in USDA zones 3-8, this low-maintenance beauty attracts pollinators effortlessly.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 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

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Other Cities in Zone 8b

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Browse All 337+ 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.