shrub LC

Bigleaf Hydrangea, French Hydrangea, Hortensia, Lacecap Hydrangea

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangeaceae

☀️SunPartial Sun, Partial Shade

💧WaterRequires regular deep watering, especially during dry summer periods. Leaves wilt rapidly when soil moisture depletes.

🗺️Zone5a - 9b

Moderate ⚠️ Mildly Toxic ✨ Attracts Pollinators

📏 Height: 3-6 feet

Ideal pH5.2 – 6.8

herb_non_graminoid LC

Black-eyed Susan, Brown-eyed Susan, Yellow Daisy, Gloriosa Daisy

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterLow to moderate; requires moderate moisture to establish, then becomes exceptionally drought tolerant. Avoid overhead watering to prevent foliar fungal disease.

🗺️Zone3a - 9b

Easy ✨ deer_resistant

📏 Height: 1-3 feet

Ideal pH6 – 7.2

herb_non_graminoid LC

Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Lady in a Bath, Lyre Flower

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Papaveraceae

☀️SunPartial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade

💧WaterMedium to moist. Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout spring. Allow soil to dry slightly once dormant in mid-summer.

🗺️Zone3a-9b

Easy ⚠️ Highly Toxic ✨ deer_resistant

📏 Height: 2-3 feet (60-90 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

herb_graminoid LC

Blue Fescue, Grey Fescue

Festuca glauca

Poaceae

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterLow; drought-tolerant once rooted. Excess moisture causes crown rot.

🗺️Zone4a-8b

Easy ✨ deer_resistant

📏 Height: 8-12 inches (20-30 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

herb_non_graminoid LC

Bok Choy, Pak Choi, Chinese White Cabbage

Brassica rapa

Brassicaceae

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

💧WaterKeep soil evenly moist; drought stress or high summer temperatures will trigger premature bolting (flowering).

🗺️Zone2a-11b

Easy ✨ Attracts Pollinators

📏 Height: 0.5-1.5 feet (15-45 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

herb_non_graminoid LC

Borage, Starflower, Bee Bread

Borago officinalis

Boraginaceae

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterModerate regular water; deep taproot provides drought resistance once mature.

🗺️Zone2a-11b

Easy ⚠️ Mildly Toxic ✨ deer_resistant

📏 Height: 1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

shrub NE

Border Forsythia, Golden Bells

Forsythia intermedia

Oleaceae

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterModerate. Needs consistent moisture during establishment; moderately drought-tolerant once mature.

🗺️Zone5a - 8b

Easy ✨ deer_resistant

📏 Height: 8-10 feet

Ideal pH5.5 – 7.5

herb_non_graminoid LC

Broccoli, Calabrese Broccoli, Sprouting Broccoli

Brassica oleracea

Brassicaceae

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterMaintain consistent soil moisture with 1-1.5 inches of water per week; avoid overhead watering on developing heads.

🗺️Zone2a-11b

Moderate ✨ deer_resistant

📏 Height: 1.5-2.5 feet (45-75 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 7

herb_non_graminoid NE

Brussels Sprouts, Gemmifera Group

Brassica oleracea

Brassicaceae

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterMaintain constant soil moisture (1-1.5 inches weekly); shallow root systems require organic mulching to prevent moisture stress.

🗺️Zone2a - 9b

Difficult ✨ deer_resistant

📏 Height: 2-3.5 feet (60-105 cm)

Ideal pH6.5 – 7.5

shrub LC

Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac, Orange Eye

Buddleja davidii

Scrophulariaceae

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterDrought-tolerant once established. Requires deep watering only during prolonged summer dry periods.

🗺️Zone5a - 9b

Easy ✨ fragrant_flower

📏 Height: 6-10 feet

Ideal pH6 – 7.5

climber LC

Butternut Squash, Winter Squash, Gramma

Cucurbita moschata

Cucurbitaceae

☀️SunFull Sun

💧WaterIrrigate at ground level providing 1-1.5 inches per week. Exhibits higher heat and drought tolerance than Cucurbita pepo.

🗺️Zone3a-11b

Easy ✨ deer_resistant

📏 Height: 1-2 feet (30-60 cm)

Ideal pH6 – 6.8

herb_non_graminoid LC

Cabbage, Head Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Savoy Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

Brassicaceae

☀️SunFull Sun, Partial Sun

💧WaterApply 1 inch of water weekly; maintain consistent moisture to prevent mature heads from splitting.

🗺️Zone2a-11b

Easy ✨ deer_resistant

📏 Height: 1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm)

Ideal pH6.2 – 7.2