I’ve got friends who plan their gardens once winter arrives each year. I wish I could think that far ahead. I usually wait until the beginning of May. Then, it’s a trip to the local nursery. I find plants that I think are pretty and bring them home.

There are some plants, and flowers, that work well with our Colorado climate.

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Our state flower, the Rocky Mountain Columbine, does very well here. I guess that’s why it IS the state flower. While it blooms in lower elevations, it can thrive in higher elevations too.

Russian Sage is another plant that does well in our state. Though it is not native to Colorado, it does well in dry climates and doesn’t need a lot of water. Every house in our neighborhood has Russian Sage. I really like the purple blooms, and so do the bees.

Wildflowers are also a good option, and I’ve heard that some varieties of poppies do well in our somewhat dry climate.

Christmas trees, like Douglas Fir trees, are another great option for landscaping in Colorado. We have several in our yard, and they require very little maintenance. Plus, you get the added bonus of stringing colorful lights on them for your outdoor Christmas decorating.

Zinnia is said to produce a lot of flowers in little time. I’ve been successful with these flowers, and they are great for cutting and using in floral arrangements.

If you want to attract bees and butterflies, sunflowers are another great option. There are several sunflower fields around the area, and you often see them growing in the wild. My oldest daughter grew one when she was about four years old, so I’d like to say they are easy to grow too.

We had great success with Echinacea a couple of years ago. Also called coneflower, they can survive some of the harsh conditions in Colorado, including massive temperature changes. They also do well in soil types including clay and sandy soils. Liatris, also known as blazing stars, can also survive in poor soil conditions.

Lupines are another great addition to your flowering garden. They are very hearty, and I’ve heard they can withstand windy conditions. If the wind stays as it has been recently, then these flowering plants might be a good choice.

I have several heirloom variety Irises in my yard. I know many people who don’t care for this particular flower due to the fact that they spread like crazy, or at least mine have. Other than the continual dead-headed process while they are blooming, Iris seems to do well in Colorado.

There are so many great options for our Colorado climate, I find it difficult to choose which ones I want each year.

10 Great Plants for Your Colorado Yard

Beautiful plants that do well in our Colorado climate

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