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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Washington, DC

📍 Washington, DC 🌡️ USDA Zone 7a 🌱 347+ 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 347+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Washington

Leucothoe Rainbow
Leucothoe Rainbow
Leucothoe fontanesiana Rainbow
Vibrant red, orange, and pink foliage in spring and fall adds stunning seasonal color to any garden. This shade-tolerant shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-8 and resists deer damage.
Zone 5–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 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
Sedum Autumn Joy
Sedum Autumn Joy
Hylotelephium Autumn Joy
Clusters of rosy-pink blooms light up late summer through fall, adding vibrant color to any garden. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant succulent thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Delphinium
Delphinium
Delphinium elatum
Tall spikes of vibrant blue blossoms light up summer gardens with stunning color and elegance. This deer-resistant beauty thrives in USDA zones 3-7 and attracts pollinators while requiring moderate care.
Zone 3–7🐝 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
Manzanita
Manzanita
Arctostaphylos manzanita
Glossy evergreen leaves and delicate pinkish-white blooms in late winter make this Manzanita a stunning year-round interest. Its drought tolerance and deer resistance suit USDA zones 7-9 beautifully.
Zone 7–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Wild Hydrangea
Wild Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
Clusters of creamy white blooms light up summer gardens with a soft, elegant charm. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and adapts well to shade or sun.
Zone 3–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Tufted Hair Grass
Tufted Hair Grass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Tufted Hair Grass forms elegant, fine-textured mounds topped with airy golden flower clouds in summer. One of the few ornamental grasses that thrives in part shade and moist conditions.
Zone 4–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Stanley Plum Tree
Stanley Plum Tree
Prunus domestica 'Stanley'
Rich purple-blue plums ripen in late summer, adding vibrant color and delicious fruit to your garden. This hardy tree thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and offers low-maintenance growth with excellent disease resistance.
Zone 5–7🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Elderberry Black Lace
Elderberry Black Lace
Sambucus nigra Black Lace
Dark purple, lacy foliage and creamy white summer blooms make this shrub a stunning garden focal point. Deer resistant and hardy in USDA zones 4-7, it attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 4–7🐝 Pollinator
Desert Willow
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
Delight in the Desert Willow’s trumpet-shaped pink to lavender blooms that brighten summer landscapes with vibrant color. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant tree thrives in USDA zones 7-10, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Zone 7–11🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Snapdragon
Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus
Vibrant snapdragons burst with colorful blooms from spring through fall, adding cheerful charm to any garden space. These low-maintenance beauties attract pollinators and thrive in USDA zones 7-10.
Zone 4–10🦌 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.

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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 347+ 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.