Best Native Plants for Colorado Landscaping

Native plants are the foundation of water-wise landscaping in Colorado. Adapted over thousands of years to Colorado's 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 the 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 the area's 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.