Colorado Climate Snapshot
Understanding your local climate is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden
Hardiness Zones
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a
Annual Rainfall
7-20 inches annually (varies by elevation)
Frost Window
May-September (shorter at elevation)
Water Notes
Limited water; xeriscaping required in many areas
Popular Landscaping Styles
Discover design styles perfectly suited to Colorado's unique climate and landscape
Water-wise design using native Rocky Mountain plants
Key Features:
- ā¢Native grasses and wildflowers
- ā¢Rock mulch and boulders
- ā¢Minimal lawn areas
- ā¢Drip irrigation
Rocky terrain with alpine and subalpine plants
Key Features:
- ā¢Stone terraces and outcroppings
- ā¢Creeping phlox and sedums
- ā¢Dwarf conifers
- ā¢Alpine wildflowers
Adapted to arid climate with dramatic plantings
Key Features:
- ā¢Yuccas and cacti
- ā¢Ornamental grasses
- ā¢Decomposed granite paths
- ā¢Sage and rabbitbrush
Naturalistic planting mimicking mountain forests
Key Features:
- ā¢Quaking aspen clusters
- ā¢Understory wildflowers
- ā¢Native shrubs
- ā¢Mountain groundcovers
Recommended Plant Palettes
Native and adapted plants that thrive in Colorado's climate
Blue Columbine
Aquilegia caerulea
State flower with blue and white blooms
Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Iconic tree with white bark and golden fall color
Penstemon
Penstemon strictus
Purple flower spikes; attracts hummingbirds
Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja spp.
Vibrant red-orange bracts; protected wildflower
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia aristata
Red and yellow daisy flowers; very drought-tolerant
Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia
Silver foliage with lavender flowers
Blue Fescue
Festuca glauca
Clumping blue-gray ornamental grass
Yucca
Yucca glauca
Architectural succulent with white flower stalks
Kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Evergreen groundcover with red berries
Sedum
Sedum spectabile
Succulent with pink flower heads
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Native prairie grass with copper fall color
Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus montanus
Drought-tolerant shrub with twisted seed tails
Seasonal Garden Checklist
Your year-round guide to maintaining a beautiful Colorado garden
Plant spring bulbs before ground freezes
Water evergreens deeply before winter
Protect plants from winter sun and wind
Prune fruit trees and roses
Plant cool-season vegetables after last frost
Mulch gardens to conserve moisture
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about landscaping in Colorado
Ready to Design Your Colorado Garden?
Upload a photo of your yard and get AI-powered garden designs tailored to Colorado's climate with native and adapted plants.
Design Your Garden