Washington, DC · Plant guide

Plants for Washington.

Washington gardens often change sharply from compacted, reflected-heat sites to cooler, moisture-holding beds. Correct drainage first, then keep smooth hydrangea in the moister area and butterfly weed or false blue indigo in the brighter, better-drained section.

Updated 2026-09-06 · Sources & photo credits

Divide wet and dry beds

Place smooth hydrangea where soil stays evenly moist, while butterfly weed and false blue indigo receive stronger drainage.

Correct the soil before planting

Compacted soil, reflected heat and interrupted drainage can vary block by block. Loosen or replace compacted soil and correct drainage before planting.

Eastern redbud

Cercis canadensis

Redbud earns its space with spring flowers before the leaves fill out. Measure for the mature crown, not the nursery pot, and choose a spot with good drainage and reliable water while the tree settles in.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil & water

Well-watered until established; avoid wet soil and drought stress.

Full-grown size

20-30 ft tall × 25-35 ft wide.

Through the year

Rose-pink/light-purple flowers March-May; yellow fall foliage.

Winter hardiness

USDA 4a-9b; protected site; branch breakage/root disturbance sensitivity.

Plant references

Smooth hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens

White summer flower heads brighten a partly shaded bed. Smooth hydrangea needs steady moisture, especially in sun; give its spreading stems enough room so you are not constantly cutting it back.

Sun

Partial shade; full sun only with consistent moisture.

Soil & water

Moist, well-drained soil; consistent moisture in full sun.

Full-grown size

3-5 ft tall and wide.

Through the year

White flowers May-July, sometimes to September; blooms on new wood.

Winter hardiness

USDA 3a-9b; may sucker/colonize; prune late winter if desired.

Plant references

Eastern columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Wild columbine’s red and yellow hanging flowers. Photo credit

Red-and-yellow columbine flowers bring color to a partly shaded corner early in the season. This is a small, short-lived perennial that can keep a place in the garden by scattering seed.

Sun

Partial shade; tolerates full sun with adequate moisture.

Soil & water

Organically rich moist soil; good drainage; occasionally dry.

Full-grown size

1-3 ft tall × 1-1.5 ft wide.

Through the year

Red/yellow flowers early spring about one month; seed follicles summer.

Winter hardiness

USDA 3a-8b; short-lived perennial may self-seed.

Plant references

Butterfly weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Choose butterfly weed for orange summer flowers in a sunny, well-drained bed. Pick its permanent spot before planting: the deep taproot makes moving an established plant difficult.

Sun

Full sun; partial shade tolerated.

Soil & water

Dry to medium, well-drained; drought tolerant after establishment.

Full-grown size

1-2 ft tall × 1-1.5 ft wide.

Through the year

Orange flowers late spring-summer; pods August-September.

Winter hardiness

USDA 3a-9b; taproot makes transplanting difficult; sap may cause contact dermatitis.

Plant references

Blue false indigo

Baptisia australis

False blue indigo with blue-purple flowers above its leaves. Photo credit

Blue flower spikes are followed by dark seed pods that remain interesting after bloom. False blue indigo takes up more room than a small nursery plant suggests, and its deep roots make it hard to move.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil & water

Well-drained; drought tolerant once deep taproot establishes.

Full-grown size

3-4 ft tall and wide.

Through the year

Blue/purple flowers late spring-early summer; black pods late summer/winter.

Winter hardiness

USDA 3a-9b; can become leggy in shade; difficult to transplant.

Plant references

Wild bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Wild bergamot brings lavender flowers to a sunny or partly shaded bed. Leave space for air to move between plants and avoid letting it become drought-stressed; both siting and water matter when mildew is a problem.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil & water

Moderately moist, good drainage; occasional drought only.

Full-grown size

2-4 ft tall × 2-3 ft wide.

Through the year

Pink/lavender flowers June-September; fruit August-October.

Winter hardiness

USDA 3a-9b; drought stress raises mildew susceptibility.

Plant references

Before you go to the nursery

Browse nurseries in Washington to find places to contact. Ask about the exact plants and varieties on your list before making a trip.

Bring a photo of the planting spot and its measurements. Note when it gets direct sun, how quickly the soil drains after watering, and whether you can water through a dry spell. Ask about the full-grown size of the exact variety on the label.

We have not confirmed local nursery listings for these plants yet. Use the botanical names above when you ask; common names can refer to more than one plant.

Sources & photo credits

Our selections draw on regional gardening references and species profiles. These are species guides; named varieties can have different sizes and needs. Photographs show the species, not nursery stock.

Local growing advice

Residential landscape designs with native plants · University of Maryland Extension · checked 2026-09-05

Native and invasive pollinator plants · District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment · checked 2026-09-05

Native plants for Chesapeake Bay landscapes · University of Maryland Extension · checked 2026-09-05

Winter hardiness and local weather

A USDA hardiness zone describes winter cold. It does not measure summer heat, drainage or water needs. Check your own ZIP and the label on the variety you buy.

City reference: ZIP 20018, zone 7b. A ZIP whose postal primary-city label matches this city, selected from the retained geography snapshot. It is a city reference, not your address; postal labels do not define municipal boundaries.

Median last spring frost: Mar 29; median first autumn frost: Nov 8. Station: NATL ARBORETUM DC, MD US (1.78 km from the reference ZIP). These are historical averages, not a forecast.

USDA hardiness maps · NOAA climate normals

Photography

Cercis canadensis, 2021-04-24, Fox Chapel, 01.jpg by Cbaile19 · CC0. Wikimedia Commons thumbnail, resized from the source photograph. No additional crop or color changes.

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' in flower.jpg by Fritzmann2002 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons thumbnail, resized from the source photograph. No additional crop or color changes.

Aquilegia canadensis, Fallingwater, 2025-05-29-2.jpg by Cbaile19 · CC0. Wikimedia Commons thumbnail, resized from the source photograph. No additional crop or color changes.

Asclepias tuberosa, Montour Trail, 2024-08-20.jpg by Cbaile19 · CC0. Wikimedia Commons thumbnail, resized from the source photograph. No additional crop or color changes.

0 Baptisia australis (Y).JPG by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT · CC BY-SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons thumbnail, resized from the source photograph. No additional crop or color changes.

2023-07-09 12 04 27 Bee Balm blooming along Lochatong Road in the Mountainview section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey.jpg by Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons thumbnail, resized from the source photograph. No additional crop or color changes.