{"id":236,"date":"2026-02-17T17:21:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T17:21:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/?post_type=resource-cpt&#038;p=236"},"modified":"2026-03-19T19:12:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T19:12:44","slug":"why-go-native","status":"publish","type":"resource-cpt","link":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/resource\/why-go-native\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Choose Native Plants?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wp-block-pattern-longform-content is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wp-block-pattern-quick-facts has-gray-50-background-color has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Facts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Native plants are built for high elevation stress. They handle wind, temperature swings, surprise storms, sandy soils, and short growing seasons better because they evolved in the Rocky Mountain West.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They usually need less input. Many natives do fine in decomposed granite soils without heavy amendments or fertilizer, and once established they often need less watering when matched to the right moisture zone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They can mean fewer long term headaches. Natives tend to recover from hail, frost, and critter damage better than many nursery cultivars, and they do not become legally defined noxious weeds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>Gardening above 7,500 feet, we face the same issues as our fellow gardeners below us. We just face them to a greater extreme: more wind, more varied temperatures, more unexpected storms, more sandy soils, more critters and a shorter growing season, to name a few. We plan wind breaks, amend the soil, fertilize, water, buy live traps, put fences up and still loose sometimes to these elements. All is not lost. Ever consider landscaping and gardening with native plants? Many if not all of these issues can be mitigated by planting native to the Rocky Mountain West. Native plants have adapted to the area and can take the rugged abuse that 9000 feet in elevation offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Soil:&nbsp;<\/strong>Many mountain soils consist of decomposed granite with little water holding capacity and low nutrient supply. Having adapted to this soil type, most native plants do not require soil amendments. If you are planting in an existing naturalized area most natives can be planted directly in the ground without any amendment. If you are planting in a garden bed environment and want unusual growth and flowering, add 1\/4 (on a volume basis) compost to existing soil for increased water holding capacity. However, be aware that this could push growth, and lead to floppy plants and shorter lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When planting native plants from nursery containers, be careful not to create a soil differential. A differential is a soil interface of two vastly different soil types that will inhibit water flowing or draining freely causing water to either not enter or not escape the root ball. If planting directly in the native soil, gently remove the nursery soil from the root ball, as it tends to be highly humus, or add one-quarter compost to the backfill, and make your planting hole up to twice the size of the container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fertilizers<\/strong>: Natives planted in native soils are generally quite happy with no fertilizers. Planted in more of a garden bed situation, they may benefit from light fertilizing. If you decide to fertilizer, use a fertilizer low in nitrogen. A high nitrogen fertilizer will produce excessive top growth increasing the susceptibility to disease, insect and animal damage and weeds. If you decide to fertilize, choose a balanced (10-10-10 or 5-10-10) slow release fertilizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Water:&nbsp;<\/strong>Many native plants are xeric and have adapted to the water availability of their regions. Be sure to plant like water needs with like. Plants with a higher moisture requirement should not be planted with plants that thrive in drier soils. All new plantings need to be watered in to help root establishment. After root establishment, you can curb your watering requirements to meet your desired schedule. Planting with the natural precipitation of the monsoon season can decrease water use while establishing plants in their early phases of growth. Think of this when you are walking through a beautiful aspen wildflower field: try to find the sprinkler system or lady with the watering bucket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Weather, Critters and Weeds<\/strong>: Native plants are more likely than their nursery counterparts to withstand or recover from the damage of hail, frosts and high daytime temperatures followed by low nighttime temps. They also have a higher winter survival rate. When researching the growing requirements for your plants, don\u2019t forget to research their winter needs. Mulch, snowcover, winterwatering needs vary greatly from plant to plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Native plants tend to be more critter resistant and recover from critter damage better than their nursery cultivars as they have learned to defend against these native animals. Wildlife is also highly attracted to natives bringing the damaging and the good pollinating critters. To reduce damage, plant animal resistant plants, fence off your garden both above and below ground (don\u2019t forget about the borrower such as voles) or use one of the animal resistant sprays on the market. Protect young plants with fencing or plastic bottles with tops and bottoms cut off. Established plants are less vulnerable to irreparable damage than young plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the great benefits of planting native is to eventually have a no to low maintenance garden. Before planting be sure to eradicate all possible weeds to decrease the available weed seed bank. Natives never run the risk of becoming noxious weeds and choking out the vegetative diversity. Noxious plants by the legal definition cannot be native plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Availability:<\/strong>&nbsp;Native plants can be harder to procure than your standard nursery fare. A few are available in the nurseries. Many more are available in seed form. Fall planting is the best time for native seeds as they benefit from winter dormancy. Be sure to research the scientific name of the native species you are looking for. There are many cultivars that may not be hardy in your zone or have different watering and exposure requirements than the native plant. Be sure to ask at the nurseries you are shopping. If they don\u2019t have it perhaps they can help you find it or at the least by asking you are letting them know the demand for native plants is as high as the benefits they offer. Wherever you find them please don\u2019t find them in our forests. Our forests are the inspiration for our native gardens.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-simple\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"native-plant-recommendations\">Some native plant recommendations for high elevations:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nodding onion \u2013 Allium cernuum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pearly everlasting -Anaphalis margaritacea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Windflower- Anemone multifida<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pussytoes- Antennaria sp.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Colorado columbine- Aquilegia caerulea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Golden columbine \u2013 Aquilegia chrysantha<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sages \u2013 Artemisia ludoviciana and A. frigida<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harebells- Campanula rotundifolia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indian paintbrush \u2013spp.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Showy daisy \u2013 Erigeron Castilleja speciosus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rocky Mountain bee plant \u2013 Cleome serrulata<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Showy daisy \u2013 Erigeron speciosus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sulphur flower \u2013 Eriogonum umbellatum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wallflower \u2013 Erysimum capitatum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blanketflower \u2013 Gaillardia aristata<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wild Geraniums \u2013 Geranium viscosissimum and caespitosum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prairie smoke \u2013 Geum\/Erythrocoma triflorum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scarlet gilia\/Fairy trumpet \u2013 Ipomopsis aggregate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blue flag \u2013 Iris missouriensis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blue flax \u2013 Linum lewisii<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Silver lupine \u2013 Lupinus argenteus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>White tufted evening primrose \u2013 Oenothera caespitosa<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pasque flower \u2013 Pulsatilla patens<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Penstemons \u2013 P. barbatus, P. virens, P. secundiflorus, P. strictus, and others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prairie coneflower -Ratibida columnifera<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Black eyed Susan \u2013 Rudbeckia hirta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Golden banner \u2013 Thermopsis divaricarpa<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-simple\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Evacuation-preparedness\">&nbsp;For more information:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/topic-areas\/yard-garden\/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes-7-242\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Native herbaceous perennials for Colorado Landscapes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/topic-areas\/yard-garden\/native-shrubs-for-colorado-landscapes-7-422\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Native shrubs for Colorado Landscapes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/resource\/trees-and-shrubs-for-mountain-areas\/\">Trees and Shrubs for Mountain Areas<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick Facts Gardening above 7,500 feet, we face the same issues as our fellow gardeners below us. We just face them to a greater extreme: more wind,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"area_tax":[],"county_tax":[127],"global-category_tax":[163,185],"global-offering_tax":[],"global-sub-category_tax":[],"global-topic_tax":[371,375],"region_tax":[385],"resource-type_tax":[388],"class_list":["post-236","resource-cpt","type-resource-cpt","status-publish","hentry"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_post_mime_type":"","acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-cpt\/236","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-cpt"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/resource-cpt"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-cpt\/236\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":967,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-cpt\/236\/revisions\/967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"area_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area_tax?post=236"},{"taxonomy":"county_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/county_tax?post=236"},{"taxonomy":"global-category_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-category_tax?post=236"},{"taxonomy":"global-offering_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-offering_tax?post=236"},{"taxonomy":"global-sub-category_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-sub-category_tax?post=236"},{"taxonomy":"global-topic_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global-topic_tax?post=236"},{"taxonomy":"region_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region_tax?post=236"},{"taxonomy":"resource-type_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/gilpin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-type_tax?post=236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}