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Catalpa speciosa ~ Western Catalpa
Zone 4 through 8
Western Catalpa is a large shade tree with an open, irregular crown. It grows up to 50 feet high, and reaches up to 30 feet wide. In early summer it is covered with large, white, fragrant flowers. Its leaves are large and heart-shaped, giving it a tropical look. In the fall, Western Catalpa has 10 inch long bean-shaped seed pods that persist into the winter. Its leaves turn yellow in the fall. It is adaptable to almost any soil type, and requires low to moderate watering.
Celtis occidentalis ~ Common Hackberry
Zone 4 through 9
Common Hackberry is a large shade tree with upright branches that create a dense canopy and a broad, oval crown. It can reach heights of 50 feet and can spread up to 40 feet. Its leaves are teardrop shaped with finely toothed edges. Its small, red-orange fruit ripen to a deep purple in the fall. Common Hackberry is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and soil moistures. Once they are established they need little supplemental watering.
Crataegus crus-galli inermis ~ Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn
Zone 4 through 8
Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn is a small specimen tree with unique horizontal branching, giving it a distinct appearance. It can reach heights of 25 feet and widths of 30 feet. This variety is a thornless variety of the Cockspur Hawthorn. In late spring, this tree is covered with white flower clusters. Its leaves are small and glossy green, turning a bronzy red in the fall. ½ inch red fruit ripens in early fall and persist into early winter. Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn performs well in a variety of soils, but the soil must be well drained. It is adaptable to drought conditions.
Quercus macrocarpa ~ Burr Oak
Zone 3 through 8
Burr Oak is a large, stately shade tree with a broad and spreading canopy. It can reach up to 60 feet in height and up to 50 feet wide. It has dark green, deeply lobed leaves that turn yellow in the fall. It has acorn fruit that forms in midsummer. Its bark has deep ridges as it matures, giving it distinctive character in the winter. It is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, and to moist or dry soil conditions.
Gymnocladus dioica ~ Kentucky Coffee Tree
Zone 4 through 9
Kentucky Coffee Tree is a large specimen tree with an erect, rounded crown. It can grow up to 50 feet tall, and spread up to 30 feet wide. It has small, greenish-white flower clusters in the spring. The leaves are double pinnately compounded. They emerge a pinkish color in the spring, maturing to a blue-green in the summer, and are golden yellow in the fall. It has hard, curved seed pods on the female trees only. The pods remain on the trees through the winter. Its bark is deeply fissured and dark gray. Kentucky Coffee Tree prefers well drained soils, but will tolerate dry, alkaline, and salty soils.
Pinus edulis ~ Pinyon Pine
Zone 4
Pinyon Pine is a small evergreen tree with an irregular, but pyramidal shape. It is a Rocky Mountain native, growing along the south-facing slopes at lower elevations. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and spread up to 15 feet. It has attractive cones that hold edible seeds. It is an excellent tree for exposed, hot, and dry areas. It will become stressed if overwatered.
Juniperus scopulorum ~ Rocky Mountain Juniper
Zone 3 through 7
Rocky Mountain Juniper is a medium sized evergreen tree. It is native to the Rocky Mountains, ranging from Canada to Texas. It grows up to 30 feet tall and can spread up to 15 feet wide. It has a pyramidal shape and often has several main stems. Its scaly leaves are bluish-green to gray-green in color. It has dark blue berries. It is adaptable to dry, clay soils and can withstand drought conditions.
Pinus aristata ~ Bristlecone Pine
Zone 2 through 6
Bristlecone Pine is a specimen evergreen tree with a short, contorted trunk, and a dense irregular crown. It can grow up to 30 feet tall and spread up to 15 feet wide. It is native to the high elevations of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. Its needles are long and densely clustered, with a deep green color. It has shiny, dark brown cones with small prickles on the scales. Bristlecone Pine prefers rocky, well drained soils and does well on little water. It will enjoy a few supplemental waterings during the driest parts of the summer, and will grow a little faster with supplemental water. It does not tolerate excessive water or poorly drained soils.
Pinus ponderosa ~ Ponderosa Pine
Zone 3 through 7
Ponderosa Pine is a large evergreen tree, native to the western United States. It can grow up to 80 feet tall and spread up to 30 feet wide. It has irregular branching that forms an open crown at maturity. Its needles are long and dark to yellowish-green in color. It has long, reddish-brown cones. Ponderosa Pine prefers well drained, sandy or gravely soils. It will do well with little supplemental water once established.
Chrysothamnus nauseosus ~ Rabbitbrush
Zone 4 through 6
Rabbitbrush is a deciduous shrub native to the Rocky Mountains, from British Columbia to New Mexico and Arizona. It has an irregular, globe shape, with a woody base and herbaceous stems. Rabbitbrush has a soft, natural appearance. It can reach up to 6 feet tall, and spread up to 4 feet wide. In late summer it is covered with fragrant yellow flower clusters. Its fluffy seed heads persist into the winter. It reseeds prolifically. Rabbitbrush tolerates very dry areas and alkaline soils.
Syringa vulgaris ~ Common Lilac
Zone 3 through 7
Common Lilac is a large, deciduous shrub with strong, upright branches and a vase-shaped form. It is native to Europe and Asia. It can reach up to 20 feet tall and spread up to 15 feet wide. In late spring, pale purple flowers bloom in large conical clusters at the ends of the branches. They are extremely fragrant. Common Lilac prefer well drained soils and full sun. It is drought tolerant once established, but perform better with additional watering.
Fallugia paradoxa ~ Apache Plume
Zone 3 through 7
Apache Plume is a finely textured deciduous shrub with a mounding form. It is native from Utah to Texas. Its white, rose-like flowers bloom all summer simultaneously with its fluffy pink seed heads. It can reach up to 5 feet tall and spread up to 5 feet wide. Apache Plume needs well drained soils and performs badly when overwatered. It is hardy from zones 3 through 10.
Prunus virginiana ~ Common Chokecherry
Zone 2 through 6
Common Chokecherry is a large shrub that is native throughout the western United States. It has an upright growth habit, and spreads by suckering. It is covered with creamy-white flowers in mid-spring. Its edible fruit ripens in late summer and can be used for jams and syrups. It can grow up to 30 feet tall and spread up to 25 feet wide. It is drought tolerant and can adapt to a wide range of soil conditions and textures.
Yucca species ~ Yucca
The Yucca species are medium sized evergreen shrubs that add a bold, dramatic touch in a dry landscape. They can reach up to 6 feet tall and spread up to 4 feet wide. There are three species that are both native to and cold hardy in Colorado. These three species are Y. glauca, Y. filamentosa, and Y. baccata. Yuccas form large basal rosettes and have tall flower spikes that rise up above the pointed foliage. The flowers are usually creamy white and slightly fragrant. They may not bloom every year. The leaves are leathery and sword-shaped. Yuccas thrive in sandy, fast-draining soils. They prefer dry soils, but will do well with occasional deep waterings.
Prunus besseyi ~ Western Sandcherry
Zone 2
Western Sandcherry is a medium sized deciduous shrub with an open, spreading form. In the spring it is covered with small, white flowers. Edible, black cherries ripen in mid summer and are great for attracting birds. The foliage turns red in the fall. Western Sandcherry can reach up to 6 feet tall and spread up to 6 feet wide. It prefers hot, dry conditions once established.
Cercocarpus species-Mountain Mahogany
Zone 3 through 8
Mountain Mahogany is a medium to large evergreen shrub native to western North America. They have an erect, irregular shape at maturity and dense branching from the ground. There are various species within this genus that are native to this area. Mountain Mahogany can reach up to 12 feet tall and spread up to 8 feet wide. The leaves are leathery and dark green. The flowers are small and insignificant, but the large seed heads are white with feathery, tail-like plumes. They prefer rocky, shallow, well-drained soils. They need water to get established but will survive will minimal watering after that.
Rhus trilobata ~ Three Leaf Sumac
Zone 4 through 7
Three Leaf Sumac is a medium sized shrub native to western North America. Its rigid branches form a dense, rounded shrub at maturity. It can reach up to 6 feet tall and spread up to 6 feet wide. Its flowers are yellow, insignificant and bloom in the spring before the leaves emerge. The glossy green leaves turn showy shades of red, yellow, and orange in the fall. Small, red-orange berries ripen in late summer and persist into the winter. Three Leaf Sumac is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and will tolerate very dry conditions, but will grow more vigorously with additional moisture.
Spiraea x vanhouttei ~ Vanhoutte Spirea
Zone 4 through 7
Vanhoutte Spirea is a medium sized specimen shrub with a fine texture and a fountain-like shape. It can grow up to 8 feet tall and spread up to 10 feet wide. In late spring and early summer its arching branches are covered with clusters of white flowers. Its blue-green leaves can turn yellow and red in the fall. It thrives in a variety of soils and tolerates city conditions. It is adaptable to either moist or dry conditions, but the best flowering occurs with extra water.
Rosa x harisonii ~ Harison's Yellow Rose
Zone 3 through 10
Harison's Yellow Rose is a medium sized rose shrub with an arching, irregular shape. It can reach up to 5 feet tall and spread up to 6 feet wide. In late spring it is covered with fragrant, bright yellow, semi-double rose blooms. It is not a rebloomer like some of the other rose species. It has showy, black rose hips in the fall. It is adaptable to both fine and coarse soils, and low to moderate watering. It is drought resistant once established.
Juniperus horizontalis ~ Creeping Juniper
Zone 3 through 9
Creeping Juniper is an evergreen groundcover with a low, spreading form. There are many cultivars within this species that are widely available in the horticulture trade. It only reaches up to 18 inches tall, but can spread up to 8 feet wide. Its scale-like prickly foliage ranges in color from blue-gray to bright green. Most cultivars turn purple in the winter. It has small, berry-like cones in the fall. Creeping Juniper adapts to many types of soil textures and soil moistures.
Achillea species ~ Yarrow
Zone 3 through 10
Yarrow is a herbaceous perennial used for mass plantings, mixed borders, or groundcovers. There are many species within this genus, some are tall and others are low growing groundcovers. Yarrow can grow anywhere from 2 inches to 4 feet tall, and spread up to 3 feet wide. Its flowers range in color from yellow, gold, white, pink, red, and coral. The blooms are closely packed clusters and usually are flat-topped. They bloom for long periods of time. The foliage is finely dissected and is usually aromatic. Yarrow adapts to a wide range of soil textures, but prefers well drained soil. They need adequate water to become established, but tolerate dry conditions following establishment.
Callirhoe involucrate ~ Wine Cups
Zone 4 through 8
Wine Cups is a low growing herbaceous perennial used for groundcovers and border plantings. It can grow up to 12 inches tall and 3 feet wide. Its dark green leaves are deeply dissected and grow along the length of its trailing stems. The flowers are cup shaped and bright purple. It will usually bloom all summer. Wine Cups tolerates dry soil conditions and prefers well drained soil. It needs adequate water to become established, but once it has matured, too much water can cause it to have a bare center.
Campanula rotundifolia ~ Bluebell
Zone 1 through 10
Bluebell is a herbaceous perennial that forms delicate, sprawling clumps. It can grow up to 12 inches tall and spread up to 24 inches wide. Its leaves are narrow and grasslike, and grow along its wiry stems. In early summer into early fall, lavender-blue flowers bloom at the ends of its stems. The flowers are bell-shaped and nodding. Bluebells tolerate most soil conditions, and prefer low to moderate watering.
Centranthus ruber ~ Jupiter's Beard
Zone 3 through 9
Jupiter's Beard is a herbaceous perennial that forms a bushy clump reaching up to 36 inches tall and spreading up to 24 inches wide. It is a showy perennial with reddish-pink flower clusters from late spring to late summer. Its large leaves are a bluish-green color, and are smooth and waxy. Jupiter's Beard does well in any well drained soils, and can adapt to more dry soils. It requires low to moderate watering. It does not live as long if it is overwatered.
Stanleya pinnata ~ Prince's Plume
Zone 4 through 7
Prince's Plume has a woody base that produces herbaceous stalks. It can grow up to five feet tall and wide. In late spring into mid-summer it has feathery, golden yellow flowers. Its leaves are pale green or gray and are larger at the base than at the top. It has slender seed pods in late summer. Prince's Plume tolerates poor, dry soils, and heat, cold and drought. It prefers low watering and only needs water during the driest periods of the year.
Linum perenne var. lewisii ~ Blue Flax
Zone 2 through 8
Blue Flax is a native perennial with an airy, vase-shaped form. It can grow up to 18 inches tall and spread up to 12 inches wide. Blue Flax is short lived, but reseeds readily, so it is best to plant it where it can move around a bit. In late spring and early summer it is covered with dainty, sky-blue flowers that open in the morning and close by late afternoon. Its leaves are short and narrow. Blue Flax prefers well drained soils and low to moderate watering.
Penstemon species ~ Penstemon
Zone 2 through 10
The Penstemons are a large genus of both low growing and taller growing herbaceous perennials. They can grow anywhere from 4 to 48 inches tall and spread up to 36 inches wide. They range from mat-forming groundcovers to erect, multi-stemmed specimen perennials. The flowers are tube shaped and vary in color, from red, blue, purple, pink, or white. The leaves also vary greatly in color and shape. Penstemons prefer well drained soils and dry conditions.
Oenothera missouriensis ~ Missouri Evening Primrose
Zone 4
Missouri Evening Primrose is a low growing herbaceous perennial with trailing stems whose tips turn upright. It can grow up to 12 inches tall and spread up to 24 inches wide. Its flowers are large and yellow and bloom toward the end of the day. It blooms all summer long. Its leaves are long, deep green, and have a silky texture. Missouri Evening Primrose can tolerate poor, dry soils, but prefers good drainage. It tolerates low watering.
Hemerocallis species ~ Daylily
Zone 4 through 10
Daylilies are herbaceous perennials that form a grass like clump with flowers that rise up above the foliage. The usually grow up to 40 inches tall and spread up to 36 inches wide. Their flowers vary in size and color, but are usually bell or funnel shaped and very showy. The colors range from white, yellow, pink, red, or multi colored. The bloom season is from spring to fall, but depends on the variety. The leaves are narrow and sword-shaped, and extend in an arch away from the base of the plant. Daylilies prefer well drained soils with high organic matter. They are drought tolerant, but extra water will prevent the leaves from scorching.
Gaillardia aristata ~ Blanketflower
Zone 3 through 8
Blanketflower is a low growing herbaceous perennial with a clumping form and erect stems. Its flowers petals are yellow with red centers. It blooms for most of the summer. Its green leaves are hairy and lance-shaped. It can grow up to 36 inches tall and spread up to 36 inches wide. Blanketflower prefers light, open soils, and will not tolerate heavy wet soils in the winter. It is tolerant of both heat and neglect. It prefers dry sites, and will flop over if given too much water.
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