10 Native Plants to Incorporate in Your Colorado Springs Landscape
When it comes to landscaping in Colorado Springs, incorporating native plants is one of the best choices you can make. Native plants are well adapted to the region’s unique climate, soil conditions, and altitude, making them naturally resilient in the local environment. They require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than non-native plants, which can reduce maintenance and water bills while creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly landscape.
Using native plants also promotes biodiversity. These plants provide habitat and food sources for local pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, supporting the delicate ecosystem of Colorado Springs. If you’re looking to transform your yard into a vibrant, low-maintenance outdoor space that contributes to the environment, consider adding these ten beautiful Colorado native plants to your landscape.
1. Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea)
The Rocky Mountain Columbine, Colorado’s state flower, is a showstopper with its unique blue and white petals. Blooming in late spring and early summer, the Rocky Mountain Columbine is a magnet for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. It thrives in partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, making it perfect for areas with dappled sunlight or morning shade. This perennial’s striking appearance and delicate blooms make it a must-have for any Colorado garden, where it brings a touch of elegance and charm to the landscape.
Planting Tip: Avoid full sun, as intense sunlight can scorch the delicate blooms. Plant in areas with morning light or filtered shade.
2. Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis)
Blue Grama Grass is a hardy, low-maintenance native grass that thrives in the arid conditions of Colorado. It is drought-tolerant, requires minimal watering once established, and is perfect for xeriscaping. The unique seed heads of Blue Grama Grass turn a golden color in the fall, adding seasonal interest to your garden. This clump-forming grass is also beneficial for soil health, helping prevent erosion.
Planting Tip: Blue Grama Grass does best in full sun with well-drained soil. It can also be left unwatered after establishment, making it an excellent choice for eco-friendly landscapes.
3. Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis)
For bold, vibrant color, consider the Western Coneflower. This tall, drought-tolerant plant produces eye-catching yellow flowers with dark centers that bloom in late summer. Western Coneflower attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees, adding life to your garden. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an ideal choice for bright, sunny spots in your landscape.
Planting Tip: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and a tidy appearance throughout the growing season.
4. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Milkweed is an essential plant for pollinator gardens in Colorado. Known for its vibrant orange flowers, this drought-tolerant plant attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, supporting the local ecosystem. It blooms in mid-summer and does best in full sun and well-drained soil. Butterfly Milkweed is also a larval host for monarch butterflies, making it a crucial addition for conservation efforts.
Planting Tip: Butterfly Milkweed prefers dry to medium moisture levels. Avoid planting it in areas with poor drainage or overly moist soil.
5. Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii)
Gambel Oak is a hardy deciduous tree native to Colorado’s foothills and mountainous regions. This tree can tolerate drought and cold temperatures, making it resilient in Colorado Springs. It produces acorns that provide food for various wildlife, including birds and squirrels. Gambel Oak is a small, shrubby oak tree that often grows in clusters, making it perfect for creating natural privacy screens or windbreaks.
Planting Tip: Gambel Oak is ideal for sunny spots with well-drained soil. Its deep root system makes it excellent for stabilizing soil on slopes.
6. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
The Purple Coneflower is a robust perennial that produces stunning purple blooms with cone-shaped centers. This plant blooms from mid-summer to early fall, adding long-lasting color to your garden. Purple Coneflower is beloved by pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and is also deer-resistant, making it a great choice for wildlife-friendly yet resilient gardens.
Planting Tip: Plant Purple Coneflower in full sun and well-drained soil. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming and prevent self-seeding.
7. Narrowleaf Penstemon (Penstemon angustifolius)
Narrowleaf Penstemon, also known as Beardtongue, is a striking plant with clusters of blue-purple flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. This plant attracts hummingbirds and bees, enhancing the biodiversity of your landscape. It’s highly drought-tolerant, which makes it ideal for xeriscaping in Colorado Springs.
Planting Tip: Narrowleaf Penstemon prefers sandy or rocky soil and does well in areas with full sun. Avoid overwatering, as this plant prefers dry conditions.
8. Gambel’s Sage (Salvia greggii)
Gambel’s Sage, also called Autumn Sage, is known for its fragrant, gray-green foliage and spikes of blue-purple flowers that bloom in mid-summer. This drought-tolerant plant attracts bees and butterflies and adds a touch of color and fragrance to your garden.
Planting Tip: Plant Gambel’s Sage in full sun with well-drained soil. Prune back in early spring to encourage fresh growth and a compact shape.
9. Silver Buffalo Berry (Shepherdia argentea)
Silver Buffalo Berry is a hardy shrub that produces silvery-blue berries in the fall, providing food for wildlife and adding visual interest to your landscape. This shrub is commonly used as a windbreak or hedge and can tolerate drought, making it well-suited to Colorado’s dry climate.
Planting Tip: Silver Buffalo Berry does well in full sun with well-drained soil. It can be a great addition to wildlife-friendly landscapes and natural hedges.
10. Big Bluestem Grass (Andropogon gerardii)
Big Bluestem Grass is a tall, graceful native grass that provides valuable habitat and cover for wildlife. In the fall, its seed heads turn a reddish-brown color, adding seasonal beauty to your yard. Big Bluestem is also excellent for preventing soil erosion, making it a practical choice for sloped areas or erosion-prone soils.
Planting Tip: This grass does best in full sun with well-drained soil. It can thrive with minimal watering after establishment, contributing to a sustainable landscape.
Why Choose Native Plants?
Incorporating native plants into your Colorado Springs landscape offers numerous benefits beyond aesthetics. Native plants reduce water usage, support local wildlife, promote soil health and prevent erosion, and require less maintenance. You can learn more here.
If you’re ready to create a sustainable, beautiful landscape that’s in harmony with Colorado’s environment, consider adding these native plants to your yard. Contact Fredell Enterprises to learn more about incorporating native plants into your Colorado Springs landscape. Our team has the experience and expertise to create a thriving, eco-friendly outdoor space that reflects the natural beauty of Colorado.
