Best Native Plants for Colorado Landscaping

Native plants are the foundation of water-wise landscaping in Colorado. Adapted over thousands of years to our semi-arid climate, these plants require less water, resist local pests, and support native wildlife. For Douglas County homeowners, choosing native plants means a beautiful landscape that's sustainable and low-maintenance.

Why Choose Native Plants?

Colorado native plants offer significant advantages for Douglas County landscapes:

• Water Conservation: Native plants typically need 50-75% less water than non-native species once established
• Low Maintenance: Adapted to local soils and climate, they require less fertilizer and care
• Wildlife Habitat: Native plants support local pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects
• Pest Resistance: Natural defenses against local pests and diseases
• HOA Friendly: Many Douglas County HOAs now encourage or require native plant landscaping

Understanding Your Growing Conditions

Before selecting plants, assess your property's conditions:

• Elevation: Douglas County ranges from 5,600 to 9,800 feet
• USDA Hardiness Zone: Most areas are Zone 5b to 6a
• Soil Type: Heavy clay is common; some areas have sandy or rocky soil
• Sun Exposure: Colorado averages 300+ sunny days per year
• Moisture: Only 15-17 inches of annual precipitation

Native Perennials for Colorado

Full Sun Perennials

These plants thrive in Colorado's abundant sunshine:

Penstemon (Beardtongue)

• Height: 12-36 inches depending on variety
• Bloom: May-July in pink, purple, red, or blue
• Water: Very low once established
• Notes: Rocky Mountain Penstemon is native to our region; attracts hummingbirds

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

• Height: 24-36 inches
• Bloom: July-September, yellow with dark centers
• Water: Low to moderate
• Notes: Cheerful, reliable bloomer; tolerates clay soil

Blue Flax (Linum lewisii)

• Height: 12-24 inches
• Bloom: May-July, delicate blue flowers
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Short-lived but self-seeds readily; excellent for naturalized areas

Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera)

• Height: 18-36 inches
• Bloom: June-August, yellow petals with tall cone
• Water: Very low
• Notes: True prairie native; distinctive Mexican Hat shape

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

• Height: 12-24 inches
• Bloom: June-September, red and yellow
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Long blooming season; tolerates poor, dry soil

Part Shade Perennials

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea)

• Height: 18-24 inches
• Bloom: May-June, blue and white (Colorado state flower)
• Water: Moderate
• Notes: Best in afternoon shade; attracts hummingbirds

Golden Banner (Thermopsis montana)

• Height: 24-36 inches
• Bloom: May-June, bright yellow spikes
• Water: Low to moderate
• Notes: Spreads by rhizomes; deer resistant

Native Shrubs

Deciduous Shrubs

Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa)

• Height: 4-6 feet
• Features: White flowers, feathery pink seed heads
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Four-season interest; excellent for xeriscaping

Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus)

• Height: 6-10 feet
• Features: Semi-evergreen, feathery seed tails
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Excellent hedge plant; deer resistant

Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus)

• Height: 2-5 feet
• Features: Yellow fall blooms, silver foliage
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Valuable late-season pollinator plant

Three-Leaf Sumac (Rhus trilobata)

• Height: 4-8 feet
• Features: Orange-red fall color, red berries
• Water: Low
• Notes: Excellent for erosion control; native alternative to invasive sumacs

Evergreen Shrubs

Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium)

• Height: 4-6 feet
• Features: Aromatic fern-like foliage, white flowers
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Excellent texture; deer resistant

Boulder Raspberry (Oreobatus deliciosus)

• Height: 3-5 feet
• Features: Large white flowers, arching branches
• Water: Low
• Notes: Semi-evergreen; thornless

Native Grasses

Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis)

• Height: 12-18 inches
• Features: Distinctive eyelash-shaped seed heads
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Colorado state grass; excellent lawn alternative

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

• Height: 24-36 inches
• Features: Blue-green summer foliage, coppery fall color
• Water: Low
• Notes: Outstanding fall and winter interest

Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

• Height: 18-24 inches
• Features: Fine texture, fragrant seed heads
• Water: Low
• Notes: Elegant, mounding form; smells like cilantro when blooming

Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)

• Height: 18-30 inches
• Features: Oat-like seeds on one side of stem
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Excellent for erosion control on slopes

Native Groundcovers

Creeping Mahonia (Mahonia repens)

• Height: 6-12 inches
• Features: Evergreen, yellow flowers, blue berries
• Water: Low
• Notes: Excellent under trees; shade tolerant

Pussytoes (Antennaria)

• Height: 2-4 inches
• Features: Silver-gray foliage, fuzzy white flowers
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Spreads to form mat; excellent between pavers

Mat Penstemon (Penstemon caespitosus)

• Height: 2-4 inches
• Features: Lavender-blue flowers, spreading habit
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Great for rock gardens; forms dense mats

Native Trees for Douglas County

Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii)

• Height: 15-30 feet (often multi-stemmed)
• Features: Fall color, wildlife habitat
• Water: Low once established
• Notes: Native throughout Douglas County foothills

Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis)

• Height: 15-25 feet
• Features: Evergreen, edible pine nuts
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Slow-growing; excellent for xeriscape

One-Seed Juniper (Juniperus monosperma)

• Height: 15-20 feet
• Features: Evergreen, blue berries
• Water: Very low
• Notes: Native; provides wildlife shelter

Planting Tips for Native Plants

When to Plant

The best planting times in Douglas County are:

• Spring: After last frost (mid-May) through early June
• Fall: September through mid-October (preferred for many natives)

Avoid planting in hot summer months or late fall when ground may freeze.

Soil Preparation

Many native plants actually prefer our lean, unimproved soils. However:

• Loosen soil 12-18 inches deep for shrubs and trees
• Add minimal amendments - natives don't need rich soil
• For clay soil, consider adding small amounts of gravel for drainage
• Create a water basin around new plants

Watering New Plants

Even drought-tolerant natives need water to establish:

• First Year: Water deeply once per week during growing season
• Second Year: Water every 2 weeks
• Third Year+: Most natives need minimal supplemental water

Where to Find Native Plants

Look for Colorado native plants at these sources:

• Local native plant nurseries
• Colorado native plant sales (typically spring and fall)
• Garden centers with dedicated native sections
• CSU Extension Master Gardener plant sales

Avoid collecting plants from the wild - it's often illegal and harms natural populations.