Planting native plants in gardens is an important way to support local ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and create beautiful, sustainable, and low-maintenance gardens. Encouraging the use of native plants in gardens can have positive impacts on both the environment and the gardener, and is an important step in promoting environmentally responsible gardening practices.

Native plants are well-adapted to the unique growing conditions in Colorado, including its arid climate, intense sunlight, and soil conditions. They are more likely to thrive and be low-maintenance than non-native species. By using native plants, you can help support local ecosystems and conserve biodiversity. Native plants provide critical habitat for native wildlife, including pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Additionally, native plants are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions, and therefore require less water, fertilizer, and other inputs than non-native species. This can help reduce your environmental footprint and make your garden more sustainable.

Native plants offer a wide range of colors, textures, and shapes, and can provide a beautiful and diverse garden that is uniquely tailored to your local environment. Also, native plants are low-maintenance and do not require regular pruning, deadheading, or other intensive care. They can also help reduce the need for pesticides and other chemicals, making your garden safer for you, your family, and the environment. They are also adapted to the local weather patterns and climate, and are therefore more resilient in the face of natural disasters and other environmental challenges.

There are several popular native flowering plants that are well-suited for gardens in Colorado. These native flowering plants are well-adapted to the unique growing conditions of Colorado, including its arid climate, intense sunlight, and soil conditions. They are also low-maintenance and attract native pollinators, making them an excellent choice for environmentally conscious gardeners.

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea)
A versatile plant that is well-suited for gardens in Colorado. It is a herbaceous perennial that typically grows to be 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide.

The plant has delicate, fern-like leaves and produces showy, bell-shaped flowers that are typically blue, purple, red, or yellow. The flowers are arranged on tall spikes, and each flower has five petals and a distinctive, downward-facing spur. The flowers bloom in late spring to early summer and are a popular source of nectar for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Planting tips
Light: Wild Columbine prefers partial to full sun, but can tolerate light shade. It is important to provide enough light to ensure good flower production.

Soil: The plant is adaptable to a range of soils, including well-drained, fertile soil and rocky, alpine soils. It is important to avoid waterlogged soils, as the plant is susceptible to root rot in waterlogged conditions.

Water: Once established, Wild Columbine is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering. During prolonged periods of drought, it may benefit from occasional deep watering.

Fertilizer: The plant is not heavy feeder and does not typically require fertilizer. However, if your soil is poor, you may choose to amend it with compost or other organic matter to improve soil fertility.

Pruning: Wild Columbine does not typically require pruning, but you may choose to remove spent flowers to encourage reblooming. Pests and Diseases: Wild Columbine is generally disease-resistant and pest-free. However, it may be susceptible to powdery mildew, aphids, and Japanese beetles in some regions.

Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus)
A long-blooming perennial with spikes of tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, and pink.

Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus) is a native flowering plant that is commonly found in the Rocky Mountains and other mountainous regions of the western United States, including Colorado. It is a herbaceous perennial that typically grows to be 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide.

The plant has narrow, tubular-shaped flowers that are typically blue, purple, or pink. The flowers are arranged on spikes, and they bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are a popular source of nectar for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

The foliage of Rocky Mountain Penstemon is narrow and linear, with a blue-green color. The plant is well-suited to a range of soils, including well-drained, fertile soil and rocky, alpine soils. It prefers full sun to partial shade, and once established, it is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.

Blue Flax (Linum lewisii)
A delicate wildflower with blue flowers and linear leaves that bloom in spring and early summer.

Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) is a species of flowering plant native to western North America. It is a herbaceous perennial that grows to about 12-24 inches tall and has delicate, blue to violet-blue flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. The flowers have five petals and are arranged in clusters on tall stems above the leaves.

The leaves of Blue Flax are narrow and linear, measuring up to 4 inches long, and are a pale green color. The plant has a taproot and fibrous roots, which makes it well-adapted to growing in dry, rocky soils.

Blue Flax is a popular wildflower that is often grown in native plant gardens, rock gardens, and meadows. It is prized for its bright blue flowers and airy, graceful appearance. In addition to its ornamental value, Blue Flax is also an important food source for a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Planting tips
Sunlight: Blue Flax prefers full sun, but it can tolerate some light shade. It will grow best in an area with 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day.

Soil: Blue Flax prefers well-draining soil, as it is intolerant of wet or waterlogged soils. The plant can grow in a wide range of soils, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, but it prefers soils that are slightly alkaline.

Water: Blue Flax is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering once established. It is best to water it deeply once a week during the growing season and less frequently in the winter. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.

Temperature: Blue Flax is hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. It is able to grow in areas with hot summers and cold winters.

Fertilizer: Blue Flax does not require fertilization, but it can benefit from a light application of a balanced fertilizer in the spring. Avoid applying fertilizer too heavily, as it can lead to too much growth and reduced flower production.

Paintbrush (Castilleja spp.)
A group of brightly colored, bract-covered wildflowers that come in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink.

Paintbrush, or commonly referred to as Indian Paintbrush, is known for its striking, brightly colored bracts that surround the flowers. The bracts can be red, orange, yellow, or a combination of these colors and are the primary source of color for the plant, as the flowers themselves are small and usually green or yellow.

Paintbrush is a parasitic plant, meaning that it grows on the roots of other plants and obtains nutrients from them. This makes it a challenging plant to grow in the garden, as it requires a host plant in order to survive.

There are several species of Paintbrush, each with its own unique appearance and growing requirements. Some of the most common species include castilleja miniata that has bright red bracts; castilleja chromosa that has yellow bracts; and castilleja linariifolia that has deep red bracts. All of these species are native to the western United States.

Paintbrush is typically found in mountain meadows, sagebrush scrub, and other high-elevation habitats. It is a popular plant for wildflower gardens, meadows, and rock gardens, and is prized for its bright, showy blooms. Paintbrush is best grown from seed, and it is important to ensure that the host plant is present when planting.

Planting tips
Host Plant: Paintbrush requires a host plant in order to survive, as it obtains nutrients from the host’s roots. The most common host plant for Paintbrush is grasses, but it can also grow on other herbaceous plants. It is important to ensure that the host plant is present when planting Paintbrush.

Sunlight: Paintbrush prefers full sun to partial shade and will grow best in an area with 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day.

Soil: Paintbrush is adaptable to a wide range of soils, but it prefers well-draining soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It is intolerant of wet or waterlogged soils.

Water: Paintbrush is drought-tolerant, but it will benefit from regular watering during the growing season. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.

Temperature: Paintbrush is hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. It is able to grow in areas with hot summers and cold winters. Fertilizer: Paintbrush does not require fertilization, as it obtains its nutrients from the host plant.

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pinnatifada)
A sun-loving wildflower with daisy-like flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and red.

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pinnatifada) is a perennials species of flowering plant in the sunflower family. It is native to the western United States and Mexico and is known for its bright, showy blooms. The flowers of Blanket Flower are large and typically 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and they come in shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold. They have a unique, daisy-like appearance, with a central disk of yellow or gold surrounded by petals that are fringed with a darker color.

Blanket Flower is an easy-to-grow plant that is well-suited to a wide range of growing conditions. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand hot, dry conditions, making it a great choice for xeriscape gardens and rock gardens.

Blanket Flower is a fast-growing plant that will bloom profusely from spring to fall. It is attractive to a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and is an excellent choice for a low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly garden.

Planting tips
Sunlight: Blanket Flower prefers full sun to partial shade and will grow best in an area with 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day.

Soil: Blanket Flower is adaptable to a wide range of soils, but it prefers well-draining soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It is intolerant of wet or waterlogged soils.

Water: Blanket Flower is drought-tolerant, but it will benefit from regular watering during the growing season. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.

Temperature: Blanket Flower is hardy in USDA zones 3-10 and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. It is able to grow in areas with hot summers and cold winters.

Fertilizer: Blanket Flower does not require fertilization, but it can benefit from a light application of a balanced fertilizer in the spring. Avoid applying fertilizer too heavily, as this can lead to too much growth and reduced flower production.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
One of the most popular wildflowers in Colorado, with large, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink and purple.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a popular perennials species of flowering plant in the sunflower family. It is native to the central United States and is known for its bright, showy blooms that range in color from pale pink to deep purple. The flowers of Purple Coneflower have a large, daisy-like appearance, with a central disk of golden yellow surrounded by petals that are fringed with a darker color. The plant is also notable for its distinctive cone-shaped center, which gives it its common name.

Purple Coneflower is an easy-to-grow plant that is well-suited to a wide range of growing conditions. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand hot, dry conditions, making it a great choice for xeriscape gardens and wildlife habitats.

Purple Coneflower is a slow-growing plant that will bloom profusely from summer to fall. It is attractive to a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and is an excellent choice for a low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly garden.

Planting tips
Sunlight: Purple Coneflower prefers full sun to partial shade and will grow best in an area with 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day.

Soil: Purple Coneflower is adaptable to a wide range of soils, but it prefers well-draining soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It is intolerant of wet or waterlogged soils.

Water: Purple Coneflower is drought-tolerant, but it will benefit from regular watering during the growing season. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.

Temperature: Purple Coneflower is hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. It is able to grow in areas with hot summers and cold winters.

Fertilizer: Purple Coneflower does not require fertilization, but it can benefit from a light application of a balanced fertilizer in the spring. Avoid applying fertilizer too heavily, as this can lead to too much growth and reduced flower production.