Grow Native: Top Picks for Northern Colorado Gardens
At Mountain Roots, we believe there’s something truly magical about gardening with native plants. Not only are they beautiful and resilient, but they’re also perfectly adapted to thrive in our unique Northern Colorado climate. Whether you’re refreshing your landscape or starting a new garden, choosing natives can make your gardening experience easier — and more rewarding!
Our team of experts is passionate about helping you succeed. We’ve carefully selected a wide variety of native plants that will make your garden pop with color, attract pollinators, and stand up to Colorado’s wild weather swings. Here are some of our favorite native standouts you’ll find in stock right now:
Favorite Native Plants for Northern Colorado
Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea)
Colorado’s beloved state flower! Columbines are known for their delicate, nodding blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. They love partial shade and well-draining soil, making them a natural fit for woodland-style gardens or protected areas around your yard.
Expert Tip: Plant columbine alongside ferns or wild grasses for a lush, natural look.
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Tough and cheerful, coneflowers burst with daisy-like blooms that attract butterflies and bees all summer long. They’re heat-tolerant, drought-resistant, and look amazing in mass plantings or wildflower mixes.
Expert Tip: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage even more flowering and extend your garden’s color show!
Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
If you want to invite monarch butterflies into your garden, milkweed is a must-have! Its bright orange flowers are stunning and vital for supporting pollinators.
Expert Tip: Milkweed loves sunny, open areas. Once established, it’s extremely drought-tolerant and needs minimal care.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
These golden, sunny blooms are a native classic. Black-Eyed Susans are tough, forgiving plants that bring vibrant color from mid-summer through fall — just when many gardens are starting to fade.
Expert Tip: Group several together for a dazzling, low-maintenance splash of color that lasts for months!
Why Native Plants Make Gardening Easy
Native plants naturally require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance because they’ve evolved to handle our local soil conditions and weather patterns. They also help support birds, butterflies, and other beneficial wildlife, creating a healthy ecosystem right in your backyard.
And don’t worry — you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Mountain Roots, our knowledgeable staff is always ready to help you choose the perfect plants for your space. Whether you need advice on soil prep, watering schedules, or companion planting, we’ll walk you through it with friendly, expert guidance.
