🌿 PlantWise
Plant Guide

Best Plants for Washington, DC

📍 Washington, DC 🌡️ USDA Zone 7a 🌱 348+ compatible plants

Gardening in Washington

Washington 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 Washington

Barberry
Barberry
Berberis thunbergii
Vibrant red and orange foliage dazzles from spring through fall, adding year-round color to your garden. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 4-8.
Zone 4–8🐝 Pollinator
Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme
Thymus serpyllum
Delightful pink and white blooms carpet the ground from June to September, adding vibrant color and texture to sunny spots. This low-maintenance, pollinator-attracting groundcover thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is both dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Tall Fescue
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
The most adaptable cool-season lawn grass. Tolerates heat, drought, shade, and clay soil better than most. Deep roots make it resilient and low-maintenance.
Zone 4–8🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Knautia
Knautia
Knautia macedonica
Vibrant red-purple blooms dazzle from early summer to fall, adding long-lasting color to any garden. Deer resistant and thriving in USDA zones 5-9, it attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Canna Lily
Canna Lily
Canna indica
Vibrant blooms in pink, red, orange, yellow, and white light up gardens from June to September with tropical flair. Thriving in USDA zones 4-9, this low-maintenance, pollinator-attracting beauty is both dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Crocosmia Lucifer
Crocosmia Lucifer
Crocosmia Lucifer
Fiery red blooms light up summer gardens with vibrant, arching spikes that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. This deer-resistant, drought-tolerant beauty thrives in USDA zones 5-9.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Fringe Tree
Fringe Tree
Chionanthus virginicus
Fragrant white blooms burst in late spring, creating a stunning, lacy display that brightens any landscape. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts valuable pollinators.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Scentsation Honeysuckle
Scentsation Honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation'
Fragrant pink and white blooms from June to September fill the air with sweetness, adding vibrant charm to any garden space. This low-maintenance vine attracts pollinators, thrives in zones 4-9, and is both dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 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†
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
Chokeberry
Chokeberry
Aronia arbutifolia
Brilliant clusters of white spring blooms turn to vibrant red berries and fiery fall foliage, lighting up the garden from USDA zones 3-8. This low-maintenance shrub is deer resistant and attracts pollinators, enhancing wildlife habitat effortlessly.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Blazing Star
Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Vibrant purple blooms burst in late summer, creating stunning vertical spikes that brighten any garden. This drought-tolerant perennial attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 3-9.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

Get a Personalized Plant List for Washington

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.

Start the Plant Advisor →

Other Cities in Zone 7a

New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Nashville, TN Oklahoma City, OK 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.