5 Best Perennial Flowers for Colorado

Our area of Colorado has a unique environment of low humidity, fluctuating temperatures and poor soil characteristics that can make gardening a challenge. Choosing the right plants that thrive in Colorado is key to successful gardening.

That’s where we come in, to help you navigate the wide world of perennial plants. We’ve put together the 5 best perennial flowers that you can get started in your garden.

Salvia

This dynamic plant is very drought tolerant once established, can handle extreme cold very well, and blooms from spring to frost. Most Colorado soil is very dense in clay making it a tough time for some plants to survive, but not Salvia, it loves the clay! Plant in full sun to partial shade. Make sure to deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms throughout the season.

Key Points:
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Loam or Sandy Soil
Dry to Xeric
Attracts Bees
Deer Resistant

Lavender

This is a semi-woody perennial is prized for its fragrance and beautiful color and grows extremely well in Colorado. It thrives in most soil qualities but if you have compacted clay add some compost to improve drainage. Lavender prefers full sun and is fairly drought resistant. Just like some of us in these days of social distancing, lavender needs a little space. Allow 2 to 3 feet between plants for most varieties.

Key Points:
Full Sun
Thrives in most Soil Types
Drought Tolerant
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Highly disease resistant

Echinacea

This plant comes in hundreds of colors and varieties that put on a gorgeous show year after year from late spring through fall. These sturdy flowers will hold up to most of the intense weather extremes we get in Colorado. They love full sun to partial shade. Butterflies absolutely adore this flower so if you have a butterfly garden, this is a must.

Key Points:
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Clay, Loam or Sandy Soil
Drought Tolerant
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Few Insect or Disease Issues

Viola

The viola is closely related to the pansy and shares many traits, a very hardy little plant that flowers in even chilly weather. Often used as groundcover around trees and shrubs, once established it reseeds freely. Enjoys full sun to partial shade and is rather drought resistant.

Key Points:
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Clay or Loam
Moderate Watering

Sedum

With a wide variety of textures, colors and sizes this plant is a perfect choice as a ground cover, in rock gardens or any perennial bed. Most bloom summer all the way to fall.  Sedum will tolerate partial shade, but most do best in full sun. Great for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Key Points:
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Well-drained, Average to Rich Soil
Moderate Watering
Attracts Pollinators

What kind of perennials have you found to be good in Colorado? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Instagram.