Native Plant Gardens
Gallery and Growing Tips

Common Name

Latin Name (Weber)

Height (Feet)

Preferred Environment

Comments
and Tips

Aspen daisy (showy daisy)

Erigeron speciosus

1 - 2

Part sun, Dry/Moist

Abundant and hardy perennial.

Blue-eyed grass

Sisyrinchium montanum

1

Part sun, Dry/Moist

Not a grass at all, but a native member of the iris family. Plants grow in grass-like clumps and produce many small but very attractive blue flowers. Hardy, transplants easily, and locally available at nurseries. Will tolerate dry conditions. Perennial.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

1 - 2.5

Part sun, Dry/Moist

Hardy. Frequent in dry mountain meadows. Available from many nurseries but try to avoid cultivars if possible. Perennial.

Blanket flower, Gaillardia

Gaillardia aristata

1 - 2

Sun, Dry

Hardy, but may become delicate for a while after transplanting. Verify source of commercial varieties, many are hybrids; the native "wild type" has petals of a pure golden-yellow (no red). Butterflies are fond of these flowers. Perennial.

Blue flax

Adenolinum (Linum) lewisii

.5 - 1

Sun, Dry

Watch out for the non-native European flax, which has a similar appearance. The native is a perennial, the non-native is an annual. Another difference: on our native flax, the stigmas (female central part of the flower, shaped like a bowling pin) are only slightly longer than they are wide. On the non-native, the stigmas are much longer than they are wide.

Blue Mist penstemon (Low penstemon, Greenleaf penstemon)

Penstemon virens

.5 - 1

Part sun, Dry

Forms dense clumps and may produce many volunteer seedlings. This perennial is available by seed and in Boulder area nurseries. Transplants easily. Perennial.

Many non-native penstemons are sold at nurseries. Check those scientific names!

Blue vervain

Verbena hastata

3

Sun, Moist

Usually many flower spikes, available by seed.

Broom snakeweed

Gutierrezia sarothrae

.5 - 1.5

Sun, Dry

Yellow bunches of flowers late summer. Commonly found in over-grazed pastures since cattle will not eat it. Has an (undeserved?) reputation for aggressiveness. Perennial.

Bush sunflower

Helianthus pumilus

8" - 2.5

Sun, Dry

Butterflies love the flowers, and birds love the seeds as a winter treat. Deer may browse. Annual.

Many nurseries carry non-native sunflowers and cultivars. Shop carefully.

Colorado columbine

Aquilegia caerulea

1.5 - 2

Sun/shade, Moist

The only native columbine in the Boulder area. Red, yellow and cultivar columbines are not native to the Boulder area. Will hybridize readily with any non-native columbines planted nearby. Available from many local nurseries. Deer may occasionally browse on it. Perennial.

Cutleaf fleabane

Erigeron compositus

1

Dry

A hardy little white aster with finely divided leaves, it forms rounded mounds of foliage and early spring flowers that tuck nicely into crevices in rock gardens. Available at nurseries. Perennial.

Fringed sage

Artemisia frigida

4 - 8"

Dry

This lovely foliage plant is gorgeous in rock gardens. It is very transplant hardy and will start from fragments of root stock. It is a woody perennial with fragrant, silver-gray foliage. Available at local nurseries.

Fireweed

Epilobium angustifolium, Chamerion angustifolium

up to 6'

Partial shade, Dry to Moist

Hardy and forming patches, fireweed has show-stopping pink or fuchsia red flowers. It does well in shady areas where nothing else seems to grow. Its name comes from its tendency to appear in disturbed areas following forest fires. Deer may browse the foliage and flowers.

Golden Aster

Heterotheca villosa

1-2

Dry

An easy-to-grow aster of late summer with a flat, spreading habit. Leaves are hairy gray-green. Starts from seed and transplants easily. Perennial.

Golden banner

Thermopsis divaricarpa

1 - 2

Part sun, Moist

This perennial starts easily from seeds, which may germinate better if they have been scratched and soaked. Young plants may not bloom for several years but are worth the wait. Because of its deep and delicate root system, it is very difficult to transplant except as a seedling. It spreads via seeds (look for the tiny pea-like pods) and through underground roots of rhizomes. It may become aggressive.

Goldenrod

Solidago spp.

Variable

Sun, Dry/Moist

Many and varied species. Once established, goldenrods are hardy and aggressive (they may spread by seeds and underground roots) but require much watering and care after they have been moved. Their flowers make beautiful dry arrangements. Perennial.

Harebell (bluebells)

Campanula rotundifolia

.5 - 1

Part sun, Moist

This lovely perennial plant is a wonderful addition to rock gardens: it spreads to fill around the stones. Scores of flowers appear in June and last into the fall. When small, its leaves are roundish but become long and thin as the plant matures. Trivia: Also known as Bluebells of Scotland, this plant is circumpolar in distribution.

Leafy cinquefoil

Drymocallis fissa

1

Dry

A small leafy plant with pale green leaves and smallish yellow flowers, it is well behaved and fits nicely into crevices in rock gardens. Deer may browse it. Perennial.

Mouse ear chickweed, Field mouse ear

Cerastium arvense

.5

Dry

Small white flowers appear in spring. As the plant spreads from year to year, it takes on the appearance of a carpet of little white blooms. Transplant hardy perennial. Watch out for Cerastium tomentosa, a non-native commonly stocked by nurseries in the xeriscape section. The non-natives leaves are larger, hairy and have a blue green color.

Native Pasque flower

Anemone patens ssp.multifida, Pulsatilla patens

.5

Part sun, Dry/Moist

Huge, delicate purple flowers distinguish the Pasque flower, which blooms around Easter. Often found under ponderosa pines. Perennial. Most nurseries carry the European Pasque flower so ask carefully.

Nelson's larkspur

Delphinium nelsonii

1

Sun, Dry

Larkspur's flowers are an intense blue-purple. The shallow root system transplants easily. A white species with similar growth habits also occurs natively on our prairies.

There are many non-native larkspurs for sale at nurseries. Check scientific names!

One-sided penstemon

Penstemon secundiflorus

.5 - 1.5

Part sun, Dry

Attractive light blue-green leaves and stunning stalks of lavender flowers. This penstemon starts easily from seed and transplants easily too. It attracts honey bees and occasionally hummingbirds. Available in some Boulder-area nurseries. Deer may browse off the flower stalks. Perennial.

Many non-native penstemons are sold at nurseries. Check those scientific names!

Porter's Aster

Aster porteri

1-2

Dry

A hardy aster with a profusion of small white flowers. Porter's asters remain green nearly all winter with long thin leaves. They work very well in rock gardens, where they remain smallish until the early spring flowers are done. By late summer they have become rounded mounds of flowers. Very hardy and easy to transplant, and may become aggressive but can be easily pulled. Will start easily from seed. Perennial.

Prairie clover

Dalea purpurea

.5 - 1.5

Sun, Dry

Perennial, blooms midsummer, available by seed

Prairie coneflower (Mexican hat )

Ratibida columnifera

1 - 2.5

Sun, Dry

This perennial blooms from June into the fall. It is hardy and easily reseeds itself. Flowers come in both yellowish and reddish morphs. Requires much watering and care when transplanted. Purple coneflowers, often sold at local nurseries, are not actually native to Colorado but occur naturally on eastern prairies.

Prairie sage (Sagewort)

Artemisia ludoviciana

1 - 2.5

Dry

A lovely perennial with fragrant silvery-white greenish foliage. It establishes easily and spreads aggressively, but may be controlled simply by uprooting periodically. Transplants from root stocks.Trivia: scientific name for Merriweather Lewis of Lewis and Clark.

Prairie Smoke

Geum trifolium

.5

Dry

Delicate reddish blooms in spring give way to fluffy smoke-like seeds in summer. Available in nurseries, but watch out for non-native Geums. Perennial, deer may browse it.

Prickly pear cactus

Opuntia macrorhiza (compressa)

4 - 8"

Sun, Dry

Sparse spines, perennial.

Prickly pear cactus

Opuntia polyacantha

4 - 8"

Sun, Dry

Very spiny, with both large spines and very fine, hairlike spines. It is a lovely, hardy addition to a garden, but a hazard to be aware of while weeding. The huge yellow flowers appear in June, followed by reddish fruits in the fall. Transplant hardy.

Pussytoes

Antennaria parvifolia

2 - 6"

Dry

Perennial, forms large low-growing mats with delicate gray-greenish foliage. We have seen it at some Boulder-area nurseries. Transplant hardy.

Rocky Mountain beeplant

Cleome serrulata

1 - 3

Sun, Dry

Abundant, midsummer along roadsides

Rocky Mountain penstemon

Penstemon strictus

1 - 2

Part sun, Dry/Moist

This penstemon is common west of Continental Divide. When planted in clumps, it produces show-stopping clusters of tall indigo and lavender flowers, much loved by insects. Transplant hardy. Perennial.

Many non-native penstemons are sold at nurseries. Check those scientific names!

Rocky Mountain wild iris

Iris missouriensis

.5 - 1

Part sun, moist

Wild irises are more delicate and require more moisture than their non-native tall bearded counterparts. They are well worth the extra trouble! Perennial.

Scarlet globe mallow or Cowboy's Delight

Sphaeralcea coccinea

.5 - 1

Sun, Dry

Perennial with a deep tap root, this native prairie plant is very drought tolerant. Clusters of reddish-orange flowers appear in June. Very transplant hardy.

Showy milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

1.5 - 5

Sun, Moist

Common on roadsides, fields and along ditches. Milkweed starts very easily from seed and transplants easily when small. The flowers attract a remarkable assortment of butterflies, moths and other insects and the leaves are the foodplant for Monarch butterflies. It may require several seasons to reach mature blooming size.

Shooting Star

Dodecatheon pulchellum

.5

Shade, Moist

Shooting stars produce small, delicate pink flowers in late May to early June. Once the blooms are finished, the leaves wither away until next spring. This plant needs very moist conditions which simulate its home along creeks and in wet, shady canyons. Perennial, we have seen it occasionally in Boulder area nurseries.
There are some non-Colorado native shooting stars for sale, so check scientific names.

Silvery Lupine

Lupinus argenteus

1 - 2.5

Sun, Dry/Moist

Lupines start easily from seeds, especially if they are scratched and soaked. Young plants may not bloom for several years but are worth the wait. Seedlings seem to survive better if they are kept moist and shaded for their first year.

Nearly all lupines for sale at nurseries are non-natives! Check scientific names.

Smooth Aster

Aster laevis

2-3

Dry

A lovely tall blue-purple aster of late summer, smooth asters start readily from seed and will bloom during their first year. They transplant easily, but need care and water after a move. Once established, they may spread aggressively but can be easily pulled. Deer will browse the foliage, but this seems to help the plants bush out and become less tall and spindly when they bloom.

Spiderwort

Tradescantia occidentalis

.5 - 2

Sun, Dry/Moist

Perennial with deep purple or lavender three-petaled flowers. This prairie native transplants easily. Deer may browse it.

Spiny goldenweed

Machaer-anthera pinnatifida

.5 - 2

Sun, Dry

Common perennial, available by seed

Spotted gayfeather (Dotted gayfeather)

Liatris punctata

.5 - 2

Sun, Dry

Perennial, starts easily from seed. The plant appears late in spring and grows unobtrusively throughout the summer, then puts forth a spectacular stalk of lavender flowers in late summer. Very hardy and drought tolerant. A seedling may take several years to mature and bloom.

Non-native Liatris are available at local nurseries; check scientific names!

Sulphur flower

Eriogonum umbellatum

4" - 1

Sun, Dry

A hardy rock garden plant which fills in around stones and boulders. Balls of yellow flowers appear in June.Deer may browse occasionally. Perennial.

Swamp milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

2 - 5

Sun, Moist

Available by seed. Milkweed sprouts easily. The flowers attract a remarkable assortment of insects and the leaves are the foodplant for Monarch butterflies. It may require several seasons to reach mature blooming size. Perennial.

Tall beard-tongue

Penstemon virgatus

2

Part sun, Dry/Moist

Flowers numerous. Perennial.

Many non-native penstemons are sold at nurseries. Check those scientific names!

Western wallflower

Erysimum asperum

.5 - 2

Sun, Dry

A biennial or perennial, flowers late spring to early summer. Deer may browse off the flower stalks.

Whipple's penstemon

Penstemon whippleanus

4" - 1.5

Part sun, Dry

Common in dry forests. Perennial.

Many non-native penstemons are sold at nurseries. Check those scientific names!

White stemless evening primrose

Oenothera caespitosa

0.5

Sun, Dry

This perennial blooms in early evening. The huge, soft white flowers produce a delicious aroma and attract moths. The leaves are a food plant for white lined sphinx moths (look for the green hornworm caterpillars in June). Transplants fairly easily but may require water and TLC after a move. Deer will browse it. Available in local nurseries.

White yarrow (Woolly yarrow)

Achillea lanulosa

.5 - 2

Part sun, Dry/Moist

This very hardy perennial spreads by seed and underground roots (rhizomes). It is often found in disturbed areas. It is very transplant hardy and attracts butterflies. Watch out for colored cultivars in yellow, red and pink and the similar but very aggressive white yarrow Achillea millifolium.

Wild bergamot (Horsemint or Beebalm)

Monarda fistulosa

1 - 2

Part sun, Dry/Moist

Large showy flowers and scented foliage distinguish this plant. It starts easily from seed and transplants easily too. The huge flowers attract scores of bees and butterflies. Trivia: bergamot is the "secret ingredient" in Earl Grey tea. Perennial.

Nurseries may stock some non-native Monardas.

Wild geranium (Pineywoods geranium)

Geranium caespitosum

1 - 2

Part sun, Moist

A perennial that starts easily from seeds and may develop a rounded growth habit that fills in rock gardens. Difficult to transplant adult plants. Deer may browse.

Wild verbena

Glandularia (Verbena) bipinnatifida

.5 - 1

Sun, Dry

Can grow taller with extra water

Yellow evening primrose

Oenothera howardii (brachycarpa)

0.5

Sun, Dry

Perennial, blooms in early evening, common along Front Range. The blossoms attract moths and produce a sweet fragrance.
Some non-native evening primroses are sold at nurseries. Check those scientific names!