The Best Garden Plants for Pennsylvania: Top Picks for Your Landscape

From the rolling hills of zone 5a in the northwest to the milder shores of zone 7b along the Mason-Dixon line, Pennsylvania’s climate quilt calls for a thoughtful plant lineup. Picking the best garden plants for Pennsylvania means matching hardy varieties to our frosty winters and hot, humid summers so your garden thrives year after year.

We're Landscape II, Pennsylvania's finest landscapers, and here's our guide to the best plants for your garden. Get ready to dig into a world where local soil, sunshine patterns, and rainfall all play starring roles in your landscape’s success.

Key Takeaways

• Matching your garden to PA’s USDA zones and soil ensures the best garden plants for Pennsylvania thrive with minimal fuss.

• Native perennials and annuals layered by bloom time create vibrant, wildlife-friendly beds from spring through fall.

• For a truly effortless, picture-perfect landscape, enlist Landscape II’s expert design and installation services.

Know Your Zone & Soil Before You Dig

Getting a handle on your planting zone and soil conditions sets you up for gardening success. With that foundation in place, you’ll know exactly which species will flourish—and which need a little extra TLC.

USDA zones 5a–7b: Find your fit

Pennsylvania gardeners span a patchwork of USDA hardiness zones from the chillier pockets of 5a in the high Alleghenies to the balmier 7b corridors around Philadelphia.

Most of the Keystone State settles into 5b–7a, with just tiny snippets dipping into 5a or nudging into 7b (plus isolated 8a micro-climates). Matching your beds to your zone ensures you select the best garden plants for Pennsylvania—whether you’re eyeing native perennials or moisture-loving shrubs.

• Zone 5a: Extreme lows to –20°F (think wild blue phlox popping through early spring snow).

• Zone 5b–6a: Lows to –15°F/–5°F (ideal for many native plant species, from cardinal flower to butterfly milkweed).

• Zone 6b–7a: Winters rarely dip below –5°F/0°F (perfect for heat-tolerant perennials and non native plants you want to trial in well-drained soil).

• Zone 7b–8a: (Very rare) lows hover around 5°F, letting you push the envelope on late-summer bloomers like dense blazing star.

Soil testing & smart amendments

Before you plant, make friends with your dirt. A pH test (available at garden centers or through Penn State Extension) tells you if you need lime to raise acidity, sulfur to lower it, or more organic matter to improve structure.

Aim for a pH of 6.0–7.0 to satisfy most native plants and native trees, from flowering dogwood in partial shade to drought-tolerant shrubs in full sun.

Add amendments

• Compost & aged manure: Boosts fertility and encourages deep roots for herbaceous perennials.

• Lime or wood ash: Raises pH—ideal if your clay holds too much moisture for many native perennials.

• Sulfur or peat moss: Lowers pH for acid-lovers like wild ginger or Virginia bluebells in woodland gardens.

• Gypsum or sand: Improves structure in heavy clay, helping many native plants (like marsh blazing star) tolerate wet soil without rotting.

With your zone dialed in and soil nourished, you’re ready to choose from Pennsylvania’s finest, whether that’s fragrant flowers for early summer or sturdy shrubs that support local wildlife. Let’s move on to plant picks next.

Perennials That Keep on Giving

These perennial powerhouses are built for our Pennsylvania gardens, bouncing back year after year to attract native pollinators, support local wildlife, and fill your beds with color without the fuss of non-native plants.

Many of these Pennsylvania native plants thrive in moist soil or well-drained soil, create habitat for native bees and other pollinators, and fit seamlessly into native plant gardens all while keeping maintenance low.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Bloom time: Late spring through early fall

• Care: Full sun, well-drained soil enriched with compost or mild soil amendments. Drought tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance garden favorite.

• Why we love it: Tall spikes of pink-purple blooms attract monarch butterflies and beneficial insects, and the seed heads feed local birds in winter.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Bloom time: Early summer into late summer

• Care: Thrives in full sun and fertile soil; tolerates some clay if you amend with compost. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more brilliant orange flowers.

• Why we love it: A hardy plant that naturalizes easily, perfect for stabilizing soil in garden beds and supporting native pollinators.

Meadow sage (Salvia nemorosa)

• Bloom time: Late spring to early summer, with a possible second flush in late summer

• Care: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; trim back after first bloom to produce clusters of new flowers.

• Why we love it: Spikes of violet-blue flowers draw in bees and hummingbirds, and the fragrant blooms repel some pests—fewer worries about invasive plants crowding out your garden.

  
  

Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata)

• Bloom time: Early spring through late spring

• Care: Part shade, moist soil enriched with leaf mold. Division every 2–3 years keeps clumps vigorous.

• Why we love it: Soft clusters of light blue flowers carpet the ground, supporting native insects and adding early-season interest to woodland gardens.

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Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Bloom time: Early summer to late summer

• Care: Full sun, sandy to gravelly, fertile soil; avoid overwatering.

• Why we love it: A true host plant for monarch butterflies—its bright orange umbels are a magnet for other pollinators, and its deep roots help stabilize soil.

Bee balm (Monarda didyma)

• Bloom time: Mid-summer (late June through July)

• Care: Prefers moist, rich soil in full sun to part shade. Good air circulation reduces mildew.

• Why we love it: Showy red or pink flowers fill with buzzing native bees and hummingbirds, making your native plant species garden buzz with life.

Marsh blazing star (Liatris mucronata)

• Bloom time: Late summer (July–August)

• Care: Moist to wet soils—ideal for rain gardens or moist pockets near eastern white pine or eastern hemlock stands.

• Why we love it: Its pink-purple tassels stand out in damp spots where many native plants struggle, making it perfect for responsible landscaping techniques that manage wet soil sustainably.

Each of these resilient perennials not only brightens your landscape but also plays its part in supporting fewer species of pests while boosting the network of beneficial insects, native wildlife, and local birds that call your garden home.

Next, we’ll explore annuals you can sprinkle in for quick color that complements these all-stars.

Annuals for an Explosive Summer Show

Kick your summer up a notch by mixing bright annuals into your beds or containers. These fast bloomers deliver instant punch, and when you choose native plants where possible—or at least follow responsible landscaping techniques—you’ll still attract beneficial insects without sacrificing flair.

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)

These sun-loving staples come in brilliant golds and oranges that echo the tones of brilliant orange flowers found in our native prairie. Marigolds deter pests naturally and thrive in just about any fertile soil, making them perfect for filling gaps in your garden beds.

Petunias (Petunia × hybrida)

With an endless palette—including crisp white flowers—petunias spill over edges in cascades of color. They bloom from early summer until frost, and their heavy flowering habit makes them a go-to for bold window boxes and hanging baskets.

Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)

Shade-tolerant workhorses, impatiens brighten part shade spots under woody trees or alongside deciduous shrubs like flowering dogwood. Their inconspicuous flower shape is small, but the sheer numbers create a carpet of color that stands out in darker corners.

Container vs. In-Ground Tips

Containers let you control soil mix and drainage perfectly. Use a premium potting blend with added compost and water more frequently, and place containers where they get at least six hours of sun.

Group pots by water needs so you can follow responsible landscaping techniques without overwatering moisture lovers or underwatering drought-tolerant picks.

In-ground beds soak up rainwater and stay cooler on hot days, but soil quality can vary. Amend heavy clay with compost or sand for better drainage and enrich sandy spots with organic matter to retain moisture. Plant in clusters of three to five for a bold impact, then mulch around them to suppress weeds and conserve water.

Whether you’re filling a Pennsylvania garden bed or brightening up a patio with pots, these annuals guarantee an explosive summer show, all while fitting smoothly into your local climate and supporting the ecosystem around your home.

Native Stars: Support Local Wildlife

Long before European settlers arrived, Pennsylvania’s landscapes teemed with native species that still flourish today, and supporting these plants means inviting birds, bees, and butterflies into your yard.

Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)

This deciduous shrub lights up late summer with fragrant white flower spikes. Grown beneath woody trees or along moist edges, it thrives in average to wet soil and part shade. Hummingbirds and native bees flock to its blossoms, making it a magnet for pollinators without demanding fancy soil amendments.

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

When foliage falls, bright red berries remain, feeding songbirds through winter. This native shrub tolerates wet soil and stands out in mixed borders or rain gardens. Plant a male and female near each other to ensure berry set and enjoy low-maintenance cleanup come spring.

Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

A sun lover in fertile soil, this herbaceous perennial features bold orange umbels that attract butterflies, especially monarchs, which use it as a crucial host plant. Its deep roots help stabilize soil, and once established, it needs little water, which is perfect for a low-maintenance garden.

For extra summer buzz, buy native plants of Pennsylvania bee balm (Monarda didyma) from local nurseries, although often grown as a perennial, younger starts can be tucked into annual beds.

Wherever you plant them, these native plant species work together to bolster local wildlife, enhance biodiversity, and keep your garden humming from early summer through late summer.

Shrubs & Ornamental Grasses for Structure

Adding layers of height and texture, shrubs and grasses form the backbone of any Pennsylvania garden, guiding the eye through seasons and creating habitats for local birds and native insects.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

A true native species gem, spicebush fits beautifully under woody trees or alongside eastern hemlock stands. In spring, aromatic yellow blooms feed early native pollinators; by fall, bright red berries attract songbirds. Its glossy leaves turn golden before dropping, leaving an elegant bare-branch silhouette all winter—no need for extensive soil amendments or extra mulch.

Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

This drought-tolerant powerhouse thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Wispy, silvery foliage sets off spikes of lavender-blue flowers from mid-summer into early fall, drawing bees and butterflies. Even after blooms fade, its airy branches add a frosted texture to the garden, contrasting beautifully with the upright form of Mexican feather grass.

Together, these selections bring year-round structure: spring blossoms that attract butterflies, summer blooms that support native wildlife, autumn fruits for birds, and winter silhouettes that keep your landscape visually engaging even when most deciduous shrubs have bowed out.

Wildlife-Friendly & Deer-Resistant Picks

Deer can turn a vibrant garden into a buffet, but you don’t have to choose between supporting native pollinators and fending off nibblers. These selections draw buzzing bees and songbirds while keeping deer at bay.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Clusters of flat-topped, white flowers bloom from early summer into early fall. Aromatic foliage repels deer, and the nectar-rich blossoms are a magnet for beneficial insects and butterflies.

Wild indigo (Baptisia australis): Sturdy stems hold up tall spikes of indigo-blue flowers in late spring. Deep roots make it drought tolerant and unappetizing to deer, while early-season bees flock to its nectar.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): Native ornamental grass with airy plumes that cling to birds’ feet for easy seed dispersal. Tough foliage and height (3–6') create texture without tempting deer.

Strategies for safeguarding tender beds

Keeping deer out doesn’t have to mean a fortress. Combine these tactics for gentle, eco-friendly protection:

Strategic placement: Surround vulnerable perennials with aromatic, deer-resistant borders—think lavender, catmint, and mountain mint—to create a scent barrier that confuses deer’s keen noses.

Physical barriers: Install low-profile fencing (at least 8 feet tall) or drape lightweight mesh netting over young plants. Removable panels let you maintain easy access.

Natural repellents: Rotate homemade sprays of garlic, hot pepper, or rotten egg mixed with water and a dash of dish soap. Reapply after rain or every couple of weeks to keep scents fresh.

Sacrificial planting: Dedicate a small patch to hostas or other deer favorites away from your main beds. This distracts deer and spares your prized native plant gardens.

Motion-activated devices: Solar-powered sprinklers or ultrasonic repellers startle deer without harming them, and they’re much quieter than traditional “scarers.”

By blending responsible landscaping techniques with smart plant choices, we can create flourishing beds that support native species, invite native bees and local birds, and leave deer searching for snacks elsewhere.

Designing a Continuous-Bloom Garden

Keep your beds lively from spring through fall by stacking bloom times and heights in one swoop. For example, plant spring bulbs beneath mid-season perennials, then follow up with summer bloomers and fall asters.

Group taller spikes like Liatris behind soft drifts of wild blue phlox or low groundcovers, and mix in foliage textures for interest when flowers aren’t on stage.

Finally, wrap it all in a simple hardscape framework—a stone edge, a mulch path, or a cozy bench—to give your plantings a home base and visual anchor, even in the quiet months.

Cultivate Your Perfect Outdoor Oasis with Landscape II

You’ve got the know-how to plant coneflowers, bee balm, and blazing stars, but why stop at good when you can have spectacular?

At Landscape II, we’ve been crafting vibrant, low-maintenance gardens in Central Pennsylvania since 1970. From custom landscape design and professional planting to hardscaping features like patios and lighting, our team handles every detail so your beds burst with color and structure all year long.

If you’d rather sit back and sip lemonade while we bring your garden vision to life, book a FREE consultation. We’ll map out the best garden plants for Pennsylvania, assess your soil and sun conditions, and deliver a bespoke plan complete with installation and ongoing care, so you can enjoy a stunning landscape without lifting a trowel.

Message us today and let’s grow something beautiful together!

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes native perennials ideal for Pennsylvania gardens?

They’re adapted to our local climate, support native pollinators and wildlife, and need less water and fuss once established.

How do I choose native plants for different site conditions?

Match species to your sun exposure, soil moisture, and USDA zone. Check plant labels or extension guides for those details.

Can Cardinal Flower thrive in moist soil areas?

Yes. Its bright red spikes love consistently moist to wet soils and part shade, making it perfect for rain gardens.

How can I create a low-maintenance garden with native plants?

Group natives by similar water and light needs, use a thick mulch layer, and limit pruning to let plants self-regulate.