Pennsylvania Landscaping Ideas 2026
35 Pennsylvania landscaping designs for every region — Philadelphia & SE PA, Pittsburgh & Western PA, Pocono Mountains, and Lancaster/Amish Country. Mountain laurel, terraced hillsides, and PA native plants.
Philadelphia & SE Pennsylvania (Zones 6b–7a)
Climate: Hot humid summers, cold winters (lows 5–15°F), clay soil in suburbs, urban heat island in city, 45" rain/year
Philly Historic District Garden
Philadelphia's historic row houses: brick-bordered foundation beds with boxwood, climbing hydrangea on brick walls, mountain laurel (PA state flower!) as the specimen shrub, and peonies for June bloom.
Main Line Colonial Front Yard
Classic Main Line aesthetic: clipped boxwood hedge, a dogwood or flowering cherry as the focal tree, liriope edging, and seasonal tulip and daffodil displays in brick-bordered beds.
Montgomery County Native Pollinator Garden
Convert part of a suburban lawn to a native pollinator garden: mountain laurel, rhododendron, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, and wild columbine. Certified wildlife habitat-eligible.
Philly Urban Rowhome Courtyard
A small urban courtyard garden: brick herringbone patio, iron fence with climbing roses, boxwood in terra-cotta pots, and a Japanese maple as the specimen tree. High-impact, low-space.
Bucks County Farmhouse Perennial Border
A generous perennial border along a split-rail fence: daylilies, peonies, iris, coneflower, and asters. Classic Pennsylvania farmhouse aesthetic with 4-season bloom.
Delaware County Shade Garden
Under mature oaks and maples: hostas in chartreuse and blue, native ferns, wild ginger, and hellebores for early spring bloom. The classic SE Pennsylvania wooded-lot garden.
Pittsburgh & Western PA (Zones 6a–6b)
Climate: Hilly terrain, cold snowy winters, humid summers, clay soil, frequent rain, steep hillside lots common
Pittsburgh Hillside Terraced Garden
Western PA's steep lots require terracing. Dry-stacked stone retaining walls create 3–4 level terraces, each planted with ornamental grasses, coneflower, and black-eyed Susan. Erosion control + beauty.
$20–$40/linear ft
Shadyside Victorian Garden
Pittsburgh's Victorian neighborhoods: a formal boxwood parterre garden, mountain laurel and rhododendron foundation plantings, and a brick walk edged with liriope and hostas.
Allegheny County Woodland Garden
Under the canopy of mature hardwoods: native ferns (maidenhair, cinnamon, Christmas), trillium, wild columbine, and Solomon's seal. The woodland understory garden that Pittsburgh's wooded lots call for.
Erie Lakefront Cold-Hardy Design
Lake Erie's zone 6a cold: paper birch, coneflower, daylilies, and ornamental grasses that survive harsh winters. Avoid borderline-hardy plants — stick to zone 5 plants for insurance.
Western PA Native Shrub Border
A shrub border of PA natives: viburnum (arrowwood, blackhaw), spicebush, witch hazel, and native azalea (pinxterbloom). Supports native birds and pollinators. 3-season interest.
Butler County Farmhouse Orchard Garden
A productive and beautiful landscape: heritage apple trees, a cutting flower border, raised vegetable beds, and a split-rail fence with climbing roses. Working landscape meets beauty.
Pocono Mountains (Zones 5a–6a)
Climate: Cooler mountain climate, snowy winters (lows -10 to 0°F), acidic soil, heavy spring wildflower season, lake cabin country
Pocono Lake Cabin Landscape
The classic Pocono lake house: white pine and hemlock frame the property, mountain laurel and rhododendron border the driveway, and a naturalized wildflower meadow slopes to the lake.
Monroe County Native Mountain Garden
Pocono native plants: mountain laurel (state flower!), Catawba rhododendron, trillium, native ferns, and eastern hemlock. Acid-loving plants that thrive in Pocono soil without amendments.
Pocono Woodland Walk
A mulch path winding through native woodland: ferns, wild ginger, trillium, Solomon's seal, and native azaleas. The understory plants thrive under oak and maple canopy.
Pocono Zone 5 Perennial Border
Cold-hardy perennials for zone 5: Siberian iris, zone 5 daylilies, coneflower, liatris, and Russian sage. These survive -15°F Pocono winters reliably.
Tannersville Ski Chalet Alpine Garden
A rock garden that mirrors the Pocono mountains: alpine plants (sedum, hens-and-chicks, creeping phlox) tucked into rock crevices, dwarf conifers, and crushed stone mulch.
Pocono Shoreline Buffer Garden
Pennsylvania DEP recommends native shoreline buffers: native sedges, blue flag iris, swamp milkweed, and buttonbush. Filters phosphorus and prevents erosion.
Lancaster & Amish Country (Zones 6b–7a)
Climate: Rich limestone-influenced agricultural soil, hot humid summers, moderate winters, productive farmland, orderly aesthetic
Lancaster Farmhouse Cottage Garden
Classic Pennsylvania Dutch aesthetic: a white picket fence with climbing roses, a cottage garden of zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, and sweet William, and a vegetable garden with neat rows.
Amish Country Orderly Landscape
Inspired by Amish simplicity: straight rows of boxwood hedge, a lawn edged with precision, symmetrical foundation plantings, and a vegetable garden in raised beds. Order and productivity.
Lancaster County Perennial Border
A traditional perennial border along a split-rail fence: peonies, daylilies, iris, coneflower, and black-eyed Susan. Blooms May through October with reliable old-fashioned perennials.
York County Heritage Orchard
An orchard of heritage Pennsylvania apple varieties (York Imperial, Smokehouse, Stayman Winesap) underplanted with spring daffodils and clover groundcover.
Lancaster Rose Garden
A formal rose garden in the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition: hybrid tea roses in organized beds, brick-edged borders, and a central sundial or birdbath. Classic, orderly, and productive blooms.
Berks County Native Meadow
Replace lawn with a native Pennsylvania meadow: little bluestem, switchgrass, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, and wild bergamot. One mow per year, spectacular July–October bloom.
Pennsylvania Native Plants Guide
PA native plants handle clay, acid soil, cold winters, and deer pressure with minimal care.
| Plant | Type | Zones |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) | Shrub | 4–9 |
| Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) | Tree | 3–7 |
| Rhododendron (Catawba) | Shrub | 4–8 |
| Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) | Perennial | 3–7 |
| Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Perennial | 3–9 |
| Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) | Perennial | 3–8 |
| Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) | Grass | 4–9 |
| Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) | Tree | 4–9 |
Pennsylvania Landscaping Tips
PA-specific guidance for clay soil, acid soil, hillside terracing, and deer resistance.
Clay Soil Management
SE Pennsylvania (Philly suburbs) and Western PA (Pittsburgh) both have heavy clay soil. Amend planting holes with 30% compost, not sand (creates concrete). For large areas, add 3–4 inches compost and till to 8–10 inches depth. Native plants (mountain laurel, redbud, coneflower) tolerate unamended clay once established.
Acid Soil Advantage (Poconos)
The Pocono Mountains have naturally acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5) — perfect for mountain laurel, rhododendron, azaleas, blueberries, and eastern hemlock. Never lime Pocono soil unless a soil test proves it's needed. Most acid-loving natives thrive without any pH adjustment.
Hillside Terracing (Pittsburgh)
Western PA's steep terrain requires terracing for most usable landscaping. Dry-stacked stone walls up to 3 feet can be DIY. Taller walls (4+ feet) require engineer design and permits. Each terrace reduces slope angle and creates plantable space. Mulch or plant terraces to prevent erosion.
Deer Resistance (Statewide)
Pennsylvania has high deer populations statewide. Reliable deer-resistant plants: mountain laurel, daffodils, ornamental grasses, catmint, coneflower, Russian sage, and boxwood. Avoid: hostas (unless fenced), tulips, arborvitae, and rhododendron in exposed areas.
State Flower Showcase
Mountain laurel is Pennsylvania's state flower. Plant it prominently: foundation plantings near the entry, massed on hillsides, or as a specimen in a woodland garden. Blooms in June (pink-white clusters). Evergreen, deer-resistant, and native to PA.
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Pennsylvania Landscaping FAQs
What are the best plants for Pennsylvania landscaping?
Pennsylvania's most reliable landscape plants: mountain laurel (state flower, evergreen, deer-resistant), eastern redbud (spring bloom), rhododendron (acid soil, evergreen), black-eyed Susan (native wildflower), purple coneflower (pollinator magnet), switchgrass (erosion control, native), and eastern hemlock (native evergreen). Native plants are always the safest bet — they evolved in PA's climate and soil.
What hardiness zone is Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania spans several zones. Philadelphia and SE PA: Zone 6b–7a (lows 5–15°F). Pittsburgh and Western PA: Zone 6a–6b (lows -5 to 5°F). Pocono Mountains: Zone 5a–6a (lows -15 to 0°F). Northern PA (Scranton, Williamsport): Zone 5b–6a. Erie: Zone 6a. Always verify your specific location on the USDA Plant Hardiness Map before plant shopping.
How do I landscape a hillside in Pittsburgh?
Western PA hillsides require terracing or erosion control: (1) For moderate slopes (15–30%), install 2–3 low retaining walls (18–36 inches) to create terraces. Plant each terrace. (2) For steep slopes (30%+), hire a civil engineer for retaining wall design. (3) Without walls, use erosion blankets + deep-rooted groundcovers (creeping juniper, bearberry, native grasses). (4) Add stone steppers for access. Pittsburgh's clay soil erodes quickly when bare — cover it fast.
Can I grow mountain laurel in Pennsylvania?
Yes — mountain laurel is Pennsylvania's state flower and native throughout the state. It thrives in: acidic soil (pH 4.5–6.5), part shade to full sun (blooms best with 4–6 hours sun), well-drained soil (amend clay with compost), zones 4–9 (all of PA). Blooms in June with pink-white flower clusters. Evergreen, deer-resistant, slow-growing. Pairs beautifully with rhododendron, eastern hemlock, and native ferns. Never needs lime or fertilizer.
What is the best grass for a Pennsylvania lawn?
Cool-season grasses dominate Pennsylvania lawns: (1) Kentucky Bluegrass — the traditional PA lawn grass, lush and fine-textured, needs regular watering in summer. (2) Tall Fescue — more heat and drought tolerant, better for sunnier yards and SE PA. (3) Fine Fescue — best for shade (common in wooded PA lots) and low-fertility soil. (4) Perennial Ryegrass — fast germination, used for overseeding and quick repair. Avoid warm-season grasses — they won't survive PA winters.
How do I deal with Pennsylvania clay soil?
PA clay soil solutions: (1) Amend planting holes with 30% compost — never pure peat or sand. (2) For large garden beds, spread 3–4 inches compost on top and till 8–10 inches deep. (3) Use raised beds for vegetables and perennials. (4) Mulch 3 inches deep to protect soil structure. (5) Choose native plants that tolerate clay: black-eyed Susan, coneflower, switchgrass, mountain laurel, and eastern redbud. (6) Avoid overworking wet clay — it compacts and becomes concrete-like.