Favorites
These are some of my favorite plants; some have great foliage, some smell wonderful, and some have spectacular flowers! Select a few and we will incorporate them into your design.
TREES
Colorado Blue Spruce Picea pungens
The Colorado state tree as determined by school children in 1892. It was not formally named until 1939. It has a great shape, grows very large and has striking blue/green needles year round, Colorado native. This tree has many cultivars to accommodate smaller size yards.
Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii
Beautifully shaped tree with green needles year round and interesting cones, Colorado native.
Catalpa Tree Catalpa speciosa
Although not native to Colorado, it does well in our conditions. Giant heart-shaped leaves with seed pods in the fall and exotic, white flowers in spring. Makes an excellent specimen tree.
Western Red Birch Betula occidentalis
This is a smaller tree that tends to grow in a clump form. It exhibits beautiful bark, dark green leaves and great fall color! It is also a Colorado native and grows well at higher elevations.
SHRUBS
Red Twig Dogwood Cornus stolonifera
The name says it all! Red twigs in winter, and white summer flowers and berries, Colorado native.
Golden Currant Ribes aureum
Stunning shrub with yellow, clove scented flowers in spring and great colors in fall, Colorado native.
Lilac Syringa vulgaris
Lilacs are know for their incredible scent and light purple flowers in spring time.
Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus
Snowberry shrubs provide interest all year. They bloom with light pink flowers in spring, have nice green foliage in the summer and have white berries all fall and winter. A great Colorado native!
PERENNIALS
Rocky Mountain Columbine Aquilegia caerulea
State flower of Colorado, spectacular showy blue flowers with interesting foliage, Colorado native.
“A garden without Columbine is simply incomplete” Allen Armitage
Rocky Mountain Penstemon Penstemon strictus
Penstemons thrive in Colorado, tall and slender stems give way to a profusion of blue or purple flowers. There are many types of Penstemon that are native to Colorado with different heights, colors and bloom times.
Coral Bells Heuchera species
These plants are know for their excellent foliage. Available in many varieties with colors and textures that will add to the garden all growing season.
Blazing Star/ Gayfeather Liatris punctata
Great late summer bloomer, excellent height and color in the garden, very tolerant of heat and drought. Colorado native.
Iris Iridaceae species
The flowers of Irises provide endless options for color, but the tall, narrow swordlike foliage lasts through the growing season and they provide beautiful spring flowers.
Hellebores Helleborus species
This is an amazing plant. The foliage is semi-evergreen and it blooms in late winter to early spring! There are many colors available and they are such a delight to see so early in the season.
Canada Goldenrod Solidago canadensis
A late blooming perennial with a great upright form and bright flowers. Colorado native.
GRASSES
Indian Rice Grass- Achnatherum hymenoides
Seed heads are very striking in late summer and fall, good shape and size for an ornamental grass. Colorado native.
Blue Grama Bouteloua gracillis
This is the state grass of Colorado and a native. This beautiful grass forms bunches, stays under 2 feet and the seed heads look like eyelashes.
Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
This grass has an excellent fall color and interesting seed heads. Colorado native.