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Native Plant Gardens for Pollinators in Colorado Springs: A Guide to Supporting Local Wildlife

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Native Plant Gardens for Pollinators in Colorado Springs: A Guide to Supporting Local Wildlife

Creating a native plant garden is more than just a beautiful landscaping choice—it’s also one of the most effective ways to support Colorado Springs’ local pollinators and enhance biodiversity. Native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinating species depend on local flora for food and shelter. As natural habitats in the Pike’s Peak region shrink due to development and climate change, gardens filled with native plants can serve as essential sanctuaries for these species. By cultivating native flora that thrives in Colorado’s unique climate, homeowners can provide essential resources for pollinators while enjoying a vibrant and sustainable garden.

Why Support Local Pollinators?

Pollinators are vital to the health of both natural ecosystems and human agriculture. In fact, over 75% of flowering plants and about 35% of global food crops rely on animal pollinators for reproduction. Without pollinators, many fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers would disappear from our landscapes and diets.

In Colorado Springs, native pollinators include:

  • Native bees (such as mason bees, bumblebees, and leafcutter bees)
  • Butterflies (including monarchs, painted ladies, and swallowtail)
  • Hummingbirds, particularly broad-tailed hummingbirds
  • Moths, including the white-lined sphinx moth
  • Beetles and flies that play lesser-known but important pollination roles

These species have co-evolved with native plants, meaning they’re particularly efficient at pollinating them. In return, these plants offer the nectar, pollen, and habitat that pollinators need to survive and reproduce.

Supporting pollinators is also beneficial to the broader environment. Healthy pollinator populations contribute to:

  • Biodiversity, supporting food webs from insects to birds and mammals
  • Resilient ecosystems, improving plant reproduction and seed dispersal
  • Soil and water conservation, especially when pollinator-friendly native plants are used
  • Climate change adaptation, by promoting plant diversity and genetic resilience

By planting even a small native garden, you can contribute to the ecological health of your community.

What Makes Colorado Native Plants Ideal for Pollinator Gardens?

Native plants are those that have evolved in a specific region over thousands of years. In Colorado Springs, native plants are adapted to our high elevation, dry climate, and variable soils. They are:

  • Drought-tolerant, reducing water use
    Resistant to local pests and diseases
  • Well-suited to support native pollinators, which often can’t utilize the nectar or pollen from exotic species
  • Low maintenance once established, reducing the need for fertilizers or pesticides

By choosing native plants over non-native ornamentals, you’ll create a habitat that requires fewer resources and offers greater ecological value.

For a detailed list on some of the best native plants to plant in your Colorado Springs garden, check out our previous blog post: 10 Native Plants to Incorporate in Your Colorado Springs Landscape.

Common Pollinators in Colorado Springs—and How to Attract Them

Different pollinators are attracted to different types of flowers based on characteristics like color, scent, shape, and blooming season. Here’s a closer look at some of the key pollinators in our area and the plants that best support them:

Native Bees

Native bees are the most efficient pollinators and come in a surprising variety of shapes and sizes. Some are solitary, like mason bees, while others, like bumblebees, are social.

Plants to Attract Native Bees:

  • Penstemon (Penstemon spp.) – tubular flowers rich in nectar
  • Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) – delicate morning-blooming flower favored by solitary bees
  • Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) – late-season blooms provide a crucial nectar source
  • Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) – long-blooming, drought-tolerant

Butterflies

Butterflies need both nectar sources for adults and host plants for their caterpillars. Monarchs are particularly dependent on milkweed, while other species use specific native shrubs and herbs.

Plants to Attract Butterflies:

  • Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) – essential for monarchs
  • Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) – attracts a wide range of butterflies
  • Golden Currant (Ribes aureum) – early spring blooms and foliage for caterpillars
  • Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus) – host plant for several butterfly species

Hummingbirds

Broad-tailed hummingbirds are a summer staple in Colorado Springs. They love bright, tubular flowers rich in nectar.

Plants to Attract Hummingbirds:

  • Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) – bright red flowers are a favorite
  • Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) – fragrant and visually striking
  • Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus) – native and hummingbird-friendly

Moths and Beetles

Often overlooked, moths and beetles play important roles in pollination, especially during dawn and dusk.

Plants to Attract Moths and Beetles:

  • Evening Primrose (Oenothera spp.) – opens in the evening and attracts nocturnal moths
  • Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) – early blooms for beetles and flies
  • Wax Currant (Ribes cereum) – important nectar source for moths

Designing a Native Pollinator Garden in Colorado Springs

A successful pollinator garden is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Here are some important design principles to follow:

1. Layer Your Plantings

Use a combination of groundcovers, grasses, flowering perennials, and shrubs to provide shelter, food, and nesting spaces. The variety will also add depth and texture to your landscape.

2. Provide Continuous Bloom

Plan for flowers from early spring to late fall. Early bloomers like golden currant feed emerging pollinators, while fall plants like rabbitbrush sustain them through migration and winter prep.

3. Use Groupings

Plant flowers in clusters of three or more. Pollinators find larger patches more attractive and easier to feed on efficiently.

4. Support All Life Stages

Include host plants for caterpillars and nesting material like bare soil or hollow stems for bees. Avoid too much mulch—many native bees nest underground.

5. Provide Water and Shelter

A shallow dish with pebbles and clean water helps pollinators stay hydrated. Native grasses and low shrubs provide essential cover and overwintering habitat.

Note: For more detailed guidance and plant recommendations, consult local resources such as the Colorado Native Plant Society or the CSU Extension office.

Native Grasses: More Than Just Filler

Grasses are essential components of pollinator gardens, often serving as host plants, nesting habitat, or protection from wind and predators.

  • Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) – provides overwintering habitat
  • Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) – Colorado’s state grass, supports insect diversity
  • Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) – useful in rain gardens and for erosion control

These grasses also help bind soil, conserve water, and provide architectural interest.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

When starting a native garden for pollinators, it’s easy to make missteps that can reduce its effectiveness:

  • Choosing cultivars over true native species – While pretty, cultivars may produce less nectar or pollen
  • Over-irrigating – Most native plants thrive in dry conditions; too much water can kill them
  • Using pesticides – Even “natural” options like neem oil can harm pollinators
  • Lacking plant variety – A monoculture doesn’t support diverse pollinator populations

Get Inspired: Garden Ideas for Different Spaces

Whether you have a small yard or expansive property, you can design a pollinator garden that works for your lifestyle and supports wildlife.

  • Patio gardens: Use native flowering perennials in pots, such as coneflower, bee balm, or blanketflower
  • Borders and edges: Line walkways or fences with clusters of flowering natives
  • Wildflower meadows: Convert unused lawn areas into native prairie plantings
  • Rain gardens: Combine pollinator plants with erosion control

How Fredell Enterprises Can Help

At Fredell Enterprises, we believe in landscaping that enhances your lifestyle and supports the local environment. With over 40 years of experience designing outdoor spaces that thrive in Colorado Springs’ climate, our team can help you select the right native plants, plan a pollinator-friendly layout, and bring your garden vision to life.

Our expert designers are familiar with the regional ecology and have extensive experience using native plants in custom garden layouts. Whether you’re looking to create a backyard haven for butterflies or integrate pollinator-friendly features into your larger landscape, we offer tailored solutions that are both beautiful and beneficial.

We can also assist with irrigation planning, hardscape integration, and selecting the right soil amendments to support your plants while protecting local waterways.

Ready to Plant Your Pollinator Paradise?

Whether you’re adding a small pollinator patch or transforming your entire yard, Fredell Enterprises is here to help. We offer customized landscape design services that balance beauty, sustainability, and function. Let us help you make your yard a haven for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.

Contact us today to get started on a landscape that’s as beneficial to local wildlife as it is beautiful to enjoy year-round.