Native Plants for Colorado - What to Plant, and When

American Plum

Prunus americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5b

Arrowleaf Ragwort

Senecio triangularis

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Aspen Fleabane

Erigeron speciosus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Bigtooth Maple

Acer grandidentatum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 8 states

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Bog Blueberry

Vaccinium uliginosum

Zones 2a–6b · native to 26 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Boxelder

Acer negundo

Zones 2a–9b · native to 48 states and provinces

Broom Snakeweed

Gutierrezia sarothrae

Zones 4a–9b · native to 21 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Camphorweed

Heterotheca subaxillaris

Zones 6a–10b · native to 31 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Zones 2a–7b · native to 55 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Colorado Pinyon

Pinus edulis

Zones 4b–8a · native to 8 states

Cowpen Daisy

Verbesina encelioides

Zones 5a–10b · native to 26 states

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5b

Curlycup Gumweed

Grindelia squarrosa

Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Fremont Cottonwood

Populus fremontii

Zones 5a–9b · native to 7 states

Gambel Oak

Quercus gambelii

Zones 4a–8a · native to 9 states

Geyer Willow

Salix geyeriana

Zones 3a–7b · native to 11 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 5b

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Goodding's Willow

Salix gooddingii

Zones 6a–10b · native to 8 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Gray Alder

Alnus incana

Zones 3a–6b · native to 44 states and provinces

Hairy False Goldenaster

Heterotheca villosa

Zones 4a–9a · native to 20 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Lodgepole Pine

Pinus contorta

Zones 4a–7b · native to 14 states and provinces

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Pin Cherry

Prunus pensylvanica

Zones 2a–6b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Ponderosa Pine

Pinus ponderosa

Zones 3b–7b · native to 17 states and provinces

Quaking Aspen

Populus tremuloides

Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces

Rubber Rabbitbrush

Ericameria nauseosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Sandbar Willow

Salix interior

Zones 2a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5b

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Tahoka Daisy

Machaeranthera tanacetifolia

Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms May – Aug in zone 5b

Velvety Goldenrod

Solidago velutina

Zones 4a–9b · native to 10 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Water Birch

Betula occidentalis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces

Yellow Rabbitbrush

Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

'Golden Jubilee' Agastache

Agastache foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee'

Zones 4a–9a · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Agastache

Agastache foeniculum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany

Cercocarpus montanus

Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Alkali Sacaton

Sporobolus airoides

Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

American Cranberrybush

Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Zones 2a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

American Spurred Gentian

Halenia deflexa

Zones 2a–7b · native to 23 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

American Vetch

Vicia americana

Zones 3a–9b · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

American White Water Lily

Nymphaea odorata

Zones 3a–11b · native to 56 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Antelope Bitterbrush

Purshia tridentata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Antelope Horns

Asclepias asperula

Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Apache Plume

Fallugia paradoxa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Apr – Nov in zone 5b

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Balsamorhiza sagittata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 5b

Baldwin's Ironweed

Vernonia baldwinii

Zones 4a–8b · native to 15 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Beardlip Penstemon

Penstemon barbatus

Zones 3a–9b · native to 5 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Beaujolais Fringed Loosestrife

Lysimachia ciliata 'Beaujolais'

Zones 3a–8b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Big Bluestem 'Holy Smoke'

Andropogon gerardii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Big Sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata

Zones 4a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Bitterroot

Lewisia rediviva

Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5b

Blanketflower

Gaillardia aristata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces

Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 5b

Blue Flax

Linum lewisii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 26 states and provinces

Blooms Sep – Jan in zone 5b

Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis

Zones 3a–10b · native to 26 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Bluebunch Wheatgrass

Pseudoroegneria spicata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces

Bluejoint

Calamagrostis canadensis

Zones 2a–7b · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Broadleaf Cattail

Typha latifolia

Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces

Broadleaf Lupine

Lupinus latifolius

Zones 5a–9a · native to 10 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 40 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Campfire Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'

Zones 3a–7b · native to 50 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5b

Canada Wild Rye

Elymus canadensis

Zones 3a–9b · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Clustered Field Sedge

Carex praegracilis

Zones 4a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Common Bladderwort

Utricularia macrorhiza

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Common Hoptree

Ptelea trifoliata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Common Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale

Zones 3a–8b · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Common Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 45 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Creeping Oregon Grape

Berberis aquifolium var. repens

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 5b

Dotted Blazing Star

Liatris punctata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Douglas Fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Zones 4a–7b · native to 15 states and provinces

Douglas Spirea

Spiraea douglasii

Zones 5a–8b · native to 8 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Dusky Penstemon

Penstemon whippleanus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

False Solomon's Seal

Maianthemum racemosum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Firecracker Penstemon

Penstemon eatonii

Zones 4a–9b · native to 6 states

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 5b

Fireweed

Chamerion angustifolium

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Firewheel

Gaillardia pulchella

Zones 3a–10b · native to 17 states

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5b

Fourwing Saltbush

Atriplex canescens

Zones 4a–10a · native to 18 states and provinces

Golden Currant

Ribes aureum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Zones 3a–9a · native to 47 states and provinces

Harebell

Campanula rotundifolia

Zones 2a–7b · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Honey Mesquite

Prosopis glandulosa

Zones 7a–11a · native to 10 states

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale

Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Apr in zone 5b

Idaho Fescue

Festuca idahoensis

Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Zones 4a–9a · native to 48 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 5b

Indian Ricegrass

Achnatherum hymenoides

Zones 4a–9b · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Jones' Bluestar

Amsonia jonesii

Zones 4a–8b · native to 4 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Juniper Bush

Juniperus communis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces

Kinnikinnick

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Zones 2a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Lady Fern

Athyrium filix-femina

Zones 4a–8b · native to 46 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5b

Large Beardtongue

Penstemon grandiflorus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Lemon Beebalm

Monarda citriodora

Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Lisianthus

Eustoma grandiflorum

Zones 8a–10b · native to 7 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Little Bluestem 'Blue Heaven'

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Little Bluestem 'Twilight Zone'

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Mat Rock Spiraea

Petrophytum caespitosum

Zones 4a–7b · native to 11 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Miner's Lettuce

Claytonia perfoliata

Zones 6a–10b · native to 13 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Missouri Evening Primrose

Oenothera macrocarpa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 9 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 5b

Moss Campion

Silene acaulis

Zones 1a–6b · native to 24 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Mountain Avens

Dryas octopetala

Zones 2a–6b · native to 9 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Mountain Coyote Mint

Monardella odoratissima

Zones 4a–8b · native to 10 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Mountain Ninebark

Physocarpus monogynus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 8 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Mountain Snowberry

Symphoricarpos oreophilus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 11 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Nannyberry

Viburnum lentago

Zones 2b–8a · native to 33 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Narrow-leaf Milkweed

Asclepias fascicularis

Zones 6a–10b · native to 10 states

Blooms Jul – Nov in zone 5b

Narrowleaf Coneflower

Echinacea angustifolia

Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states and provinces

Blooms Oct – Nov in zone 5b

Nodding Bur Marigold

Bidens cernua

Zones 3a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum

Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Nootka Rose

Rosa nutkana

Zones 4a–9b · native to 12 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Oregon Sunshine

Eriophyllum lanatum

Zones 5a–10b · native to 11 states and provinces

Blooms May – Aug in zone 5b

Pearly Everlasting

Anaphalis margaritacea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Pleated Gentian

Gentiana affinis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 21 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Prairie Coneflower

Ratibida columnifera

Zones 3a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5b

Prairie Ironweed

Vernonia fasciculata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 19 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Prairie Junegrass

Koeleria macrantha

Zones 3a–9b · native to 31 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Prairie Rose

Rosa arkansana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Purple Mountain Saxifrage

Saxifraga oppositifolia

Zones 1a–6b · native to 21 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Purple Poppy Mallow

Callirhoe involucrata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 13 states

Blooms May – Sep in zone 5b

Purple Prairie Clover

Dalea purpurea

Zones 3a–9b · native to 29 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Purple Three-awn

Aristida purpurea

Zones 5a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Red Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa

Zones 3a–7b · native to 44 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Red Fescue

Festuca rubra

Zones 2a–8b · native to 26 states and provinces

Red-twig Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Zones 2a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

River Beauty

Epilobium latifolium

Zones 1a–6b · native to 18 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Rocky Mountain Columbine

Aquilegia caerulea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 5b

Rocky Mountain Penstemon

Penstemon strictus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 5 states

Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 5b

Saskatoon Serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia

Zones 2a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5b

Scarlet Gaura

Gaura coccinea

Zones 4a–9a · native to 18 states and provinces

Blooms May – Oct in zone 5b

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5b

Showy Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium pulcherrimum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Showy Milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 24 states and provinces

Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 5b

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Dasiphora fruticosa

Zones 2a–7b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms May – Sep in zone 5b

Sideoats Grama

Bouteloua curtipendula

Zones 3a–10b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Silvery Lupine

Lupinus argenteus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces

Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 5b

Sky Pilot

Polemonium viscosum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 13 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Soapweed Yucca

Yucca glauca

Zones 3a–9a · native to 12 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Spotted Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium maculatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Sulphur Buckwheat

Eriogonum umbellatum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces

Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 5b

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 45 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Switchgrass 'Cheyenne Sky'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Switchgrass 'Smoking Gun'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Tall Thimbleweed

Anemone virginiana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 5b

Tufted Hairgrass

Deschampsia cespitosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Twinberry Honeysuckle

Lonicera involucrata

Zones 3b–9a · native to 22 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 5b

Twinflower

Linnaea borealis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Utah Serviceberry

Amelanchier utahensis

Zones 4a–8a · native to 11 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Virginia Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Western Columbine

Aquilegia formosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Western Dog Violet

Viola adunca

Zones 2a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 5b

Western Trillium

Trillium ovatum

Zones 5a–8b · native to 9 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

White Fir

Abies concolor

Zones 4a–7b · native to 8 states

White Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium 'Album'

Zones 2a–7b · native to 31 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Wild Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Zones 3b–9a · native to 50 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Sep in zone 5b

Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost

Wood Lily

Lilium philadelphicum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost