19 Low-Maintenance Perennials of Colorado and Other Mountain West States

Gardening in Colorado and the Mountain West comes with unique challenges , including high altitudes , fluctuating temperature , and waterless shape . However , many perennials boom in these tough environment with little maintenance . These 19 downcast - maintenance perennials are well - adapted to the region ’s mood , command minimal watering , fertilizing , or pruning . Whether you want to attract pollinators , add year - round color , or create a springy landscape painting , these perennials will bring lasting dish to your garden with ease .

Blue Flax

aristocratic flax offers a delicious splash of people of color against the broken backcloth of the Mountain West . With its delicate , sky - gloomy flowers , it thrive in full sun and well - drained territory . The flora flower extravagantly throughout spring and into other summertime , make a striking contrast with its slender green folio .

It ’s a magnet for pollinators , making it a vital add-on to any ecosystem - conscious garden . Its leeway to drouth and ability to self - seed effortlessly see it returns each year . Consider placing it alongside rock gardens or tract for a natural , effortless look .

Rocky Mountain Columbine

This iconic blossom of Colorado showcases intricate blue and ashen petal that delicately rock in the mass pushover . favor partial shade , it ’s a consummate choice for woodland garden or shaded borders .

The columbine draw in hummingbirds and bees , patronage local wildlife diverseness . Known for its resilience , it can handle the coolheaded temperatures of high altitudes . Allow it to naturalize across your garden for a touch of groundless elegance that ’s both downhearted - maintenance and breathtaking in its simplicity .

Beardtongue

Beardtongue digest out with its tube-shaped , vibrant pinkish flower , adding a splash of color to any garden circumstance . It thrives in well - drain soils and full Sunday , make it an ideal choice for high - altitude area .

Beyond aesthetic , it ’s extremely attractive to hummingbirds , providing them with a much - needed ambrosia source . This recurrent ’s drought allowance and minimum aid requirements make it a favorite among gardeners look to uphold a lively yet low - maintenance landscape . Group them in bunch for a more impactful visual display .

Blanket Flower

Blanket blossom , with its ardent Orange River and chicken blooms , bring warmth to any garden . It ’s unusually well-off to care for , thrive in poor soil and full sun . Its prospicient blooming period from other summer to fall keeps garden bright and cheerful .

The works ’s power to attract butterfly and baulk deer makes it invaluable for maintaining a vibrant garden ecosystem . Perfect for molding or as mass plantings , blanket flowers sum a carefree , inspirit vibe to your outdoor distance .

Western Yarrow

westerly yarrow , known for its clump of tiny , white flower , is a staple in native gardens . It thrives in full sun and can care poor , ironical soils , making it perfect for xeriscaping .

This dauntless perennial is also valued for its medicinal properties , traditionally used by indigenous acculturation . Its fern - like foliage provides an interesting grain amidst other garden plants . Whether used in borders or hayfield - manner plantings , western yarrow tender a dependable , low - sustenance option that supports local wildlife .

Prairie Coneflower

Prairie coneflower adds an exotic sense of touch with its unique , drooping yellow petals and prominent cone - shaped center . It thrive in gay spots and well - drain filth , embodying the resilience demand for raft terrains .

Its extended bloom time from summer to fall ensures a long - hold up color show . Not only does it appeal a myriad of pollinator , but it also tolerates drought shape , promising a vibrant garden without the fuss . Ideal for wildflower gardens or naturalized configurations , its whimsical appearance is sure to charm .

Firecracker Penstemon

Firecracker genus Penstemon lives up to its name with bright red , tubular flowers that ignite any garden . Flourishing in rocky , well - drained ground , it ’s perfectly suited for alpine garden .

This perennial is loved by hummingbirds and requires minimum lachrymation once ground , make it a sustainable choice for the environmentally conscious gardener . Its robust nature ensures it can withstand the elements , providing reproducible color and life to gardens across the Mountain West . Consider planting in clump for a powerful , optic punch .

Sulphur Buckwheat

Sulphur buckwheat captivates with its cluster of bright yellow flowers that transition to orange - red chromaticity as they suppurate . Preferring dry , gay spots , it ’s exceptionally drouth - tolerant and thrives in poor soils .

This perennial ’s evergreen foliage sum year - round interest to gardens , and its blossom provide a nectar author for butterflies and bees . Ideal for stone gardens or xeriscaped areas , sulphur buckwheat is a scummy - maintenance wonder that offer both stunner and ecological benefits .

Harebell

Harebell captures hearts with its delicate , bell shape - shaped flowers in subtle spectre of blue . It thrives in well - drained soil and full to fond sunshine , reflect the resiliency of heap flora .

This perennial is perfect for adding a sense of touch of whimsey to rock-and-roll gardens or borders . It ’s also a favorite among pollinator , lead to a healthy garden ecosystem . With minimal care command , harebell offer enduring charm and grace throughout the growing time of year .

Pasque Flower

Pasque flower annunciate outflow with its dramatic purple rosiness and fuzzy , fern - alike foliage . Flourishing in sunlit hayfield and well - drained filth , it ’s a live pick for early - season color .

Its unique appearance not only catches the eye but pull in pollinators , heighten garden biodiversity . As one of the first perennials to bloom , it marks the transition from wintertime to give in a prominent fashion . Whether used in rock gardens or mixed borders , pasque bloom offers a delicious , low - alimony plus to any landscape .

Golden streamer lights up landscapes with its lustrous yellow-bellied flush and lush green foliage . Thriving in full sun and well - run out soils , it ’s a standout choice for spring color .

This perennial is especially suited to meadows or naturalize areas where it can spread freely . Beyond its stunner , prosperous standard stick out pollinators , make it a good gain to wildlife - friendly gardens . It requires little tutelage once base , offering vibrant blooms with minimal effort .

Alpine Forget-Me-Not

diminutive yet impactful , alpine forget - me - not showcases bunch of bright racy flowers that abide out attractively against jolty alpine terrains . It expand in full sunlight and well - enfeeble soils , distinctive of higher altitudes .

This perennial brings a touch of nostalgia and charm , appeal butterflies and bee . Ideal for rockery or as land cover , it contributes a splash of semblance without demanding much care . Its resiliency makes it a reliable pick for gardens in challenging conditions .

Scarlet Gilia

Scarlet gilia impresses with its vivid cerise , tubular blossom , unadulterated for contribute drama to any garden . It flourish in ironical , rocky soils , making it well - suited for the Mountain West climate .

The blossom attract hummingbirds , play a all important role in endure local wildlife . Despite its striking appearance , scarlet gilia requires minimum water and care once established . Its bold color and unique form make it an eye - get , broken - maintenance choice for gardener .

Prairie Smoke

Prairie bullet captivates with its strange feathery pinkish cum heads that dance graciously in the breeze . Well - fit to gay , well - drained sites , it provides year - rung interest .

This perennial is a conversation starter , offer unique texture and movement to garden designs . Its drought tolerance and minimal maintenance needs make it perfect for those seek beauty without the burden of ceaseless tending . idealistic for prairie - vogue plantings or mixed borders , prairie skunk lend an supernal tone to landscapes .

Purple Prairie Clover

Purple prairie clover enchants with its vivacious purple flowers and delicate foliation . Flourishing in cheery , well - drain spots , it ’s a hardy option for challenging environments .

The flora ’s nitrogen - prepare power enrich the grunge , benefiting neighboring flora . It ’s also a favorite among pollinators , supporting biodiversity . With its striking color and ecologic benefits , regal prairie trefoil makes a arresting and practical add-on to any garden .

Showy Milkweed

Showy milkweed ’s pinkish clusters of prime offer an inviting display for both human eyes and pollinators . Thriving in sunlit orbit and liberal of various soil types , it ’s a versatile increase to aboriginal gardens .

This perennial plays a vital role in keep going Danaus plexippus butterfly , allow both food and habitat . Its rich nature call for little alimony , ensuring it returns class after year . Whether used in wildflower gardens or as part of a pollinator pathway , showy milkweed stands out with its stunner and ecological grandness .

New Mexico Privet

New Mexico privet is tell apart for its dense foliage and small , fragrant chicken flowers . conform well to cheery , dry circumstance , it ’s an excellent alternative for xeriscaping .

Beyond its ornamental charm , it provides habitat and food for birds and other wildlife . The industrial plant ’s power to withstand drouth and its scummy maintenance motive make it a favor choice for sustainable horticulture . Whether used as a hedge or a standalone feature film , New Mexico privet enhance landscape with its subtle elegance .

Desert Globemallow

Desert globemallow showcases lustrous orangish prime that thrive in arid , stony environments . Perfect for dry landscapes , it requires minimum weewee and care once base .

The plant ’s ambrosia - robust blooms pull a variety of pollinator , supporting biodiversity . Its silvery - dark-green leaves add grain and colour line , making it a visually likable option . For those seeking a vivacious yet low - maintenance addition to their garden , desert globemallow offers both beauty and ecologic welfare .

Penstemon Strictus

Penstemon strictus captivates with tall spikes of vivid blue flowers that add perpendicular interest to any landscape painting . It thrives in well - drained , sunny locations , perfect for high - elevation gardens .

This recurrent attracts hummingbird and bee , enhancing garden biodiversity . Its drought tolerance and full-bodied nature make it an easy - care choice for gardeners . Whether planted in wildflower meadow or margin , penstemon strictus offers a spectacular , low - care result for colorful display .

19 Low-Maintenance Perennials of Colorado and Other Mountain West States