Plant Guide

Best Plants for Tulsa, Oklahoma

📍 Tulsa, OK 🌡️ USDA Zone 7a 🌱 346+ compatible plants

Gardening in Tulsa

Tulsa 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 346+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Tulsa

Hollyhock
Hollyhock
Alcea rosea
Towering spikes burst with vibrant pink, red, or white blooms from mid-summer to early fall, adding classic cottage charm. This hardy biennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators while tolerating heat and drought.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Sweetshrub
Sweetshrub
Calycanthus floridus
Fragrant, deep red blooms appear in late spring, filling gardens with a spicy-sweet scent that delights the senses. This low-maintenance shrub is deer resistant and thrives in USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Compass Plant
Compass Plant
Silphium laciniatum
Bright yellow, daisy-like blooms light up late summer gardens with bold, upright stalks reaching up to 10 feet. This drought-tolerant prairie native thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators while resisting deer.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Limelight Prime Panicle Hydrangea
Limelight Prime Panicle Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight Prime'
Vibrant pink-to-white blooms from June to September light up gardens with a stunning summer display. This low-maintenance shrub thrives in zones 4-9, attracting pollinators while tolerating sun or part shade.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Spiderwort
Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
Vibrant blue-purple blooms brighten late spring to early summer, creating a stunning, naturalized look. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 4–9🦌 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
Pagoda Dogwood
Pagoda Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia
Delicate white blooms cascade in late spring, creating a stunning layered effect with elegant horizontal branches. This shade-tolerant tree thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and attracts pollinators while resisting deer damage.
Zone 3–7🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda Grass
Cynodon dactylon
The premier warm-season lawn grass for the South. Extremely durable, drought-tolerant, and recovers quickly from heavy use. Turns brown in winter.
Zone 7–11🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Brown Turkey Fig Tree
Brown Turkey Fig Tree
Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'
Sweet, reddish-brown figs ripen in late summer, offering a delicious harvest and attractive, lobed leaves. This drought-tolerant tree thrives in USDA zones 7-10 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 7–10🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Pacific Wax Myrtle
Pacific Wax Myrtle
Morella californica
Fragrant evergreen foliage and small white berries add year-round interest to landscapes from USDA zones 7-10. This drought-tolerant shrub is deer resistant and attracts beneficial wildlife.
Zone 7–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Ginkgo
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Brilliant yellow blooms in spring create a stunning display that brightens any landscape from zones 4-9. This low-maintenance tree is deer resistant and attracts pollinators, thriving in full sun with medium water needs.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Bosc Pear Tree
Bosc Pear Tree
Pyrus communis 'Bosc'
Glossy green leaves highlight the Bosc Pear Tree’s elegant shape, producing russet-gold fruit in late summer. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, it thrives with low maintenance and attracts beneficial pollinators.
Zone 5–8🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

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Browse All 346+ Plants for Zone 7a

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

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† "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.