Colorado has many varieties of native trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers to offer when considering what types of plants to add to your landscaping. There are several benefits of landscaping with Colorado native plants. Native plants are naturally adapted to their specific Colorado climate, soils and environmental conditions so there is no adjustment period when the plants are installed. Another benefit is that when native plants are sited correctly, they require reduced external inputs such as watering, fertilize and pruning. Using native plants also attracts a wide variety of wildlife to your property.
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Things to know about landscaping with Colorado native plants
There are a couple things that you should remember when planning to incorporate native plants into your landscape. The first, and probably most important thing to remember is that native plants should not be collected from the wild. When native plants are taken out of their natural habitat it reduces biodiversity and the disturbed area can be invaded by weeds. It is always best to obtain your native plants from a local nursery. The second thing to remember is when you are selecting plants, you should select plants to match the site’s life zone, moisture, light and soil requirements. Check out our visual guide for some native plants and what benefits they can bring to your yard!
Native Trees
Aspen
- Fire resistant
- Used to make matches and chopsticks
- Continuous growth (even in winter)
Wild Plum
- Natural pollinator
- Drought resistant
- Effective erosion control
If you need a little more help choosing trees, print out this resource and it might help you narrow down what you’re looking for!
Native Shrubs
Mountain Mahogany
- Fire resistant
- Low water use
- Attracts birds
Wild Rose
- Natural pollinator
- Partially edible
- Culturally significant
Native Perennials
Colorado Blue Columbine
- Natural pollinator
- Very fragrant
- Thrive in cool-weather climates
Native Yarrow
- Fire resistant
- Accumulates nutrients
- Medicinal properties
Native Grasses
Indian Rice Grass
James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Moderate drought tolerance
- Provides nesting for wildlife
- Relatively resistant to fire under moist conditions
Little Bluestem Grass
- Produces seeds for birds
- Helps stop wind erosion
- Good winter forage for livestock
Having trouble keeping track of the plants you want to implement in your landscape? Look no further! Print out this free resource to keep tabs on your project.
Let Timberline Landscaping take all the guesswork out of landscaping with Colorado native plants! Click here to set up a consultation.
