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no. 7.422

Native Shrubs for Colorado Landscapes

by J. Klett, B. Fahey and R. Cox¹

Quick Facts...

• A Colorado native shrub can be described as existing in Colorado prior to European settlement.
• Native plant communities make Colorado visually distinct from the eastern, southern or western United States.
• Native plant gardens are wildlife habitats and each plant contributes to the biodiversity of the state.
• Landscaping with natives on a large or small scale can maintain biodiversity that otherwise would be lost to development.

Why Grow Native Shrubs?

Mountain-mahogany fruit (Cerocarpus montanus)

Golden currant (Ribes aureum)

Twinberry fruit (Lonicera involucrata)

There are many benefits to using Colorado native shrubs for home and commercial landscapes. Colorado native shrubs are naturally adapted to their specific Colorado climate, soils, and environmental conditions. When correctly sited, they can be ideal plants for a sustainable landscape that requires reduced external inputs such as watering, fertilizing, and pruning. In order to realize these benefits, the planting site must approximate the natural environmental conditions of the plant in its native habitat.

Another benefit of using Colorado natives in landscapes is that they may attract a wide variety of wildlife including mammals, birds, and butterflies. Rapid urbanization in the state is reducing biodiversity as habitat is removed for building and road construction. Landscaping with natives on a large or small scale can maintain biodiversity that otherwise could be lost to development.

The shrubs listed in Table 1 are grown by some Colorado nurseries and are becoming more available in the commercial sector. However, not all shrubs listed are available at all nurseries, so it may be necessary to contact a number of commercial outlets to find a specific plant. If a shrub is not sold in the trade, asking for it may help increase its availability. Native shrubs should not be collected from the wild because this reduces biodiversity and causes a disturbed area that may be invaded by weeds.

Most of the shrubs listed in Table 1 are available as container-grown plants. Native shrubs often do not have as great a visual impact in the container or immediately after planting as do traditional horticultural species. Over time, they will reward the homeowner with their natural beauty and other benefits.

Where To Grow Native Shrubs

There are several factors to consider in designing a native landscape. Due to Colorado’s wide variation of elevation and topography, native plants are found in a variety of habitats. In order to maximize survival with minimal external inputs, plants should be selected to match the site’s life zone and the plant’s moisture, light, and soil requirements. Even if a plant is listed for a particular life zone, the aspect (north, south, east or west facing) of the proposed site should match the moisture requirement. For example, a red twig dogwood, which has a high moisture requirement, should not be sited with plants of dissimilar water needs. Similarly, a red twig dogwood should not be planted on a south-facing slope, where a significant amount of additional moisture would be required.

Red-berried elder (Sambucus racemosa)

Wild rose (Rosa woodsii)

Western chokecherry (Prunus virginiana melanocarpa)

Growing native shrubs does not exclude the use of adapted non-native plants. There are many non-native plants that are adapted to Colorado’s climate and can be used in a native landscape as long as moisture, light, and soil requirements are similar. Even if a site has a non-native landscape that requires additional inputs (such as an irrigated landscape on the plains), dry land native plants can be used in non-irrigated pockets within the non-native landscape. These native “pocket gardens” can be located in areas such as parkways and next to hardscapes that are difficult to irrigate.

Some communities regulate landscape appearance or the type of plants which may be used. So before completing a landscape design, check with local authorities, including homeowner’s associations, to discover any regulations that may affect your design.

Life Zones of Colorado

Colorado can be divided into five life zones that are broadly defined by the plant communities that occur at the approximate elevations described below. The Plains life zone, 3,500 to 5,500 feet, is located in eastern Colorado where the majority of Colorado’s population resides. It is dominated by grasslands and streamside cottonwoods. In western Colorado, the Upper Sonoran life zone is located at altitudes below 7,000 feet, and in the San Luis Valley, below 8,000 feet. This zone is characterized by semidesert shrublands and piñon pine-juniper woodlands at its upper limit.

The Foothills life zone occurs from 5,500 to 8,000 feet and is dominated by dry land shrubs such as Gambel oak and mountain-mahogany, and, in southern and western Colorado, piñon-juniper woodlands and sagebrush. The Montane zone consists of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and aspen woodlands at elevations of 8,000 to 9,500 feet. Dense forests of Subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce dominate the Subalpine zone at 9,500 to 11,500 feet. The Alpine zone above 11,500 feet is a treeless zone made up of grasslands called tundra. Species requiring medium to high moisture occur along watercourses throughout all zones.

Culture and Maintenance

Successful establishment of native shrubs require supplemental moisture after planting. Once established, the watering frequency can be reduced or even eliminated if the plant was sited in its native environmental conditions. Container-grown shrubs can be planted at any time during the growing season. Container-grown native shrubs are often grown in a soiless mixture of peat and bark, so the planting site should be amended with some organic material.

Using native shrubs offers many benefits in addition to reduced maintenance. Natives are part of our natural heritage and the ecosystems of Colorado. Native plant communities make Colorado visually distinct from the eastern, southern or western United States. Native plant gardens are wildlife habitats and each plant contributes to the biodiversity of the state.

Table 1. Native shrubs for Colorado landscapes.
Scientific Name1	Common Name(s)	Planting Altitude in feet2	Native Colorado Life Zone3	Moisture4	Evergreen/ Deciduous	Comments5
Large shrubs (6 - 10 ft when mature)
Acer glabrum	Rocky Mountain maple	5,000 - 10,500	Foothills -Montane	L - M	D	Small, rounded tree to large shrub; usually multi-stemmed; smooth, gray branches with red buds; fall foliage yellow; shade tolerant.
Amelanchier alnifolia	serviceberry	5,000 - 10,000	Foothills - Subalpine	L - M	D	upright to spreading branches, small rounded leaves; clusters of small white flowers; blue-black fruit attractive to wildlife; orange to red fall color.
Cercocarpus ledifolius	curl-leaf mountain-mahogany	4,500 - 9,000	Upper Sonoran3a	L - M	E	thick, dark evergreen leaves curl during drought conditions; feathery, attractive seed heads; irregular growth habit; large shrub to small tree
Cercocarpus montanus	mountain-mahogany	4,000 - 8,500	Foothills - Montane	L - M	D	open growth habit; feathery, attractive seed heads; wedge-shaped leaves.
Cornus sericea Cornus stolonifera	red twig dogwood, red-osier dogwood	4,500 - 10,000	Plains - Montane	M - H	D	red stems in winter; flat, white flower clusters followed by white to blue fruits attractive to birds; yellow to red fall color; streamside understory plant, shade tolerant.
Forestiera neomexicana	New Mexico privet	4,500 - 7,500	Upper Sonoran3a	L	D	large shrub to small tree; dense, grayish-green foliage, yellow flowers before leaves, blue-black fruit on females, light tan bark; yellow fall color; good for screening.
Fraxinus anomala	single-leaf ash	4,500 - 6,000	Upper Sonoran3a	L - M	D	large shrub or small tree, often multi-stemmed; found in dry canyons in southwest CO; yellow fall color; less available.
Prunus americana	American plum, wild plum	4,500 - 8,500	Plains - Foothills	L - M	D	thicket-forming; white flowers before leaves, fruit good for preserves; attracts wildlife; cold and drought tolerant; yellow to red fall color; found along canyons and slope bottoms.
Prunus pensylvanica	pin cherry	5,000 - 8,000	Foothills3b	M	D	large shrub to small tree; thicket-forming; shiny green leaves; red edible fruit; shade tolerant, white flowers, red fall color.
Prunus virginiana melanocarpa	Western chokecherry	4,500 - 8,500	Plains - Montane Upper Sonoran	M	D	irregular, branching shrub with shiny dark green leaves and elongated flower clusters; suckers to form thickets; dark purple fruit excellent for preserves; reddish-orange to yellow fall color.
Ptelea trifoliata	hop tree, wafer-ash	4,000 - 6,500	Plains - Foothills3b	M - H	D	shrub or small tree with three-parted foliage, drought and shade tolerant; small, fragrant flowers, yellow fall color, persistent hop-like fruit.
Quercus undulata	wavyleaf oak	4,000 - 6,500	Foothills3b	L	D - E	blue-green leathery leaves with wavy edges; leaves persist in winter; coarse bark; native to southeast CO; less available.
Rhamnus smithii	Smith buckthorn	5,000 - 7,500	Foothills3a	L - M	D	upright habit with dark green shiny leaves; black fruit in late summer on female plants; yellow fall color; good screen plant; Plant Select®5a.
Rhus glabra	smooth sumac	4,000 - 8,000	Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran	L - M	D	open, rounded thicket-forming shrub; bright green leaves; pyramidal clusters of yellow flowers produce fuzzy dark red fruits in fall that persist into winter; outstanding yellow-orange-red fall color.
Salix exigua	sandbar willow	4,000 - 9,000	Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran	H	D	thicket-forming; gray-green narrow-leaved foliage, salinity tolerant; yellowish gray catkins before leaves; yellow fall color.
Salix monticola	Rocky Mountain willow, yellow mountain willow	6,000 - 10,500	Montane	H	D	broad, rounded shrub; narrow, deep green leaves, yellow fall color; arching yellow twigs attractive in winter; common streamside willow found in mountain areas.
Shepherdia argentea	silver buffaloberry	4,500 - 7,500	Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran	L-M	D	medium shrub to small tree; thicket-forming; silver, rounded leaves; golden to red, edible bitter fruits on females attract wildlife.
Sorbus scopulina	native mountain ash	6,000 - 10,000	Foothills - Subalpine	M	D	large shrub to small tree with divided leaves, white flower clusters followed by orange fruit attractive to wildlife; orange to red fall color; found in moist sites on slopes in rocky canyons.
Medium shrubs (4 - 6 ft when mature)
Amorpha fruticosa	false indigo, leadplant	3,500 - 6,000	Plains3b	L	D	open, wide-spreading shrub; feathery green foliage; spikes of deep blue flowers in summer; yellow fall color; deer resistant.
Artemisia tridentata	big sagebrush	4,500 - 9,500	Upper Sonoran	L	E	silver colored evergreen with peeling grayish bark; leaves densely hairy and aromatic; wildlife browse plant; does not tolerate high moisture.
Betula glandulosa	bog birch	5,000 - 11,000	Subalpine	H	D	globe-shaped shrub with small, rounded dark green leaves on reddish-brown erect stems; yellow to red fall color; better at higher altitudes.
Cowania mexicana	cliffrose	4,000 - 7,500	Upper Sonoran3a	L	E	upright oval shrub; rigid, gnarled branches; small, lobed olive-green leaves; fragrant creamy-colored flowers followed by feather-tailed seeds.
Fallugia paradoxa	Apache plume	3,500 - 8,000	Plains Upper Sonoran3b	L	D - E	open, rounded shrub; small grayish-green leaves; whitish shreddy bark; white, rose-like flowers; fuzzy pinkish seed heads appear all summer; native to San Luis and Arkansas Valleys. Plant Select®5a.
Fendlera rupicola	cliff fendlerbush	4,000 - 8,000	Upper Sonoran3a	L	D	small, grayish-green narrow leaves with edges rolled under; white to pink flowers, bark reddish-tan; less available.
Holodiscus dumosus	rock-spirea, mountainspray	5,000 - 10,000	Foothills - Montane	L - M	D	upright shrub; arching slender branches with pyramidal sprays of white flower clusters that turn rust; fall foliage color bronze-red; sun to partial shade; found on rock outcrops and cliff bases.
Rhus trilobata	three-leaf sumac, skunkbrush	3,500 - 9,000	Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran	L	D	arching branches with glossy green three-parted leaves, small yellow flowers before leaves; reddish hairy edible fruits; orange to red fall color.
Ribes aureum	golden currant	4,000 - 10,000	Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran	L - M	D	arching growth habit; yellow clove-scented flowers in late spring; yellow to black fruit attracts birds; well-drained sites; orange to red fall color.
Ribes inerme	whitestem currant	6,000 - 10,000	Foothills - Montane	M	D	rounded growth habit; few if any spines; whitish stems becoming reddish-brown and flaky; small pink flowers followed by edible, tart, wine-red fruit.
Ribes lacustre	bristly currant, swamp currant	8,000 - 10,000	Montane - Subalpine	H	D	low-growing shrub with spines; lobed leaves; greenish-purple flowers in drooping clusters followed by bristly purple fruit; native along streams; browse plant for livestock and game.
Rubus deliciosus	boulder raspberry	4,500 - 9,000	Foothills	L - M	D	arching growth habit with peeling, cinnamon-colored bark; shade tolerant; spineless; large, white rose-like flowers in spring followed by sparse raspberry-like fruits.
Rubus parviflorus	western thimbleberry	5,000 - 10,000	Montane	M - H	D	large, maple-like leaves; white, rose-like flowers followed by edible fruits; best in shady, moist locations.
Salix irrorata	blue stem willow	5,000 - 9,000	Foothills	H	D	rounded, upright shrub with spreading silver blue twigs; glossy green linear leaves; yellow fall color.
Sambucus racemosa	red-berried elder	5,000 - 12,000	Foothills - Subalpine	M - H	D	upright to arching growth form; shiny compound leaves; stout branches; white flower clusters in early summer followed by bright red berries; yellow fall color; found in marshy meadows or along streams; attracts birds.
Small shrubs (less than 4 ft when mature)
Amorpha canescens	silvery leadplant	3,500 - 7,500	Plains - Foothills3b	L	D	erect, dense shrub with gray-green, fern-like foliage; tall spikes of violet-purple flowers in mid-summer; tolerant of drought and poor soils.
Arctostaphylos patula	manzanita, bearberry	6,000 - 9,000	Foothills - Montane3a	L	E	spreading growth habit with dense foliage; mahogany-red stems; oval, bright green erect leaves; pink flowers in spring followed by dark brown small apple-like fruits; does best on well drained soils.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	kinnikinnik	5,000 - 10,000	Foothills - Subalpine	L - M	E	mat-forming evergreen with small oval leaves; pink urn-shaped flowers followed by red fruits; requires well-drained gravelly soils; attracts wildlife; needs light shade.
Artemisia cana	silver sagebrush	5,000 - 10,000	Montane	L - M	E	mounding growth habit; branches become gnarled; aromatic, silver-gray leaves.
Atriplex canescens	fourwing saltbush	4,000 - 8,000	Plains Upper Sonoran	L	D - E	light green to gray small leaves; interesting four-winged fruits on female plants; tolerant of poor or salty soils; slow-growing.
Ceanothus fendleri	Fendler ceanothus, mountain-lilac	5,000 - 9,000	Foothills - Montane	L	D	spiny, low shrub with small white flower clusters in late spring; wildlife browse plant; grows on coarse soils; less available.
Ceratoides lanata	winterfat	3,500 - 9,500	Plains Upper Sonoran	L	D - E	dense erect shrub covered with white woolly fruits; grayish-green leaves persist in winter; excellent forage for wildlife.
Chrysothamnus nauseosus	rabbitbrush, rubber rabbitbrush	5,000 - 10,000	"Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran"	L	D	size and growth habit varies with subspecies; narrow aromatic leaves; young stems green to silvery-gray; showy clusters of yellow flowers on new growth in late summer attract butterflies; can be aggressive through reseeding.
Jamesia americana	waxflower	5,500 - 10,000	Foothills - Montane	M	D	flat-topped shrub with upright branches; distinctly veined heart-shaped leaves with white undersides; shreddy reddish bark; waxy, white flowers in late spring; red fall color; shade tolerant; needs well-drained soil.
Juniperus communis montana	common juniper	5,000 -10,000	Foothills - Subalpine	L - M	E	low-growing evergreen; needle-like leaves with whitish stripes; bluish-gray berry-like fruits; shade tolerant; needs well-drained soil.
Lonicera involucrata	twinberry	5,000 - 11,000	Montane - Subalpine	M - H	D	shade-tolerant upright oval shrub with erect branches; bright green leaves; creamy yellow trumpet-shaped flowers in pairs followed by black fruit enclosed in a red cup.
Mahonia repens	creeping Oregon grape-holly	5,000 - 9,500	Foothills - Montane	L - M	E	low-growing thicket-forming ground cover; blue-green leaves turn purplish in winter; yellow flowers followed by edible, blue grape-like fruit; shade tolerant; may winter burn in windy, exposed sites.
Philadelphus microphyllus	littleleaf mock-orange	5,000 - 8,000	Foothills Upper Sonoran	L - M	D	rounded, compact slow-growing shrub with small gray-green leaves; fragrant white star-shaped flowers.
Physocarpus monogynus	mountain ninebark	5,500 - 10,000	Foothills - Montane	M	D	interesting shreddy bark on older branches; white to rose-colored flowers in small heads; good wildlife cover; leaves resemble those of currant; yellow to maroon fall color; less available.
Potentilla fruticosa	shrubby cinquefoil	5,000 - 11,000	Montane - Subalpine	M	D	open, rounded shrub; single yellow flowers throughout summer; many cultivated forms available from nurseries.
Prunus besseyi	Western sand cherry	3,500 - 8,500	Plains - Foothills3b	L - M	D	upright, rounded open shrub with grayish-green leaves; numerous white, single, fragrant flowers followed by purplish-black fruits that attract birds; red fall color. 'Pawnee Buttes' is a low, spreading groundcover, Plant Select®5a.
Purshia tridentata	antelope bitterbrush, antelope-brush	5,000 - 9,000	Foothills - Montane	L	D	spreading shrub with small, oval gray leaves and pale yellow flowers in early summer; requires dry, coarse soils; important browse plant for wildlife.
Ribes cereum	wax currant	4,000 - 10,000	Foothills	L	D	rounded growth form; lobed, leathery leaves; lacks spines; pink tubular flowers in spring; edible orange-red berries in summer attract birds.
Rosa woodsii	Woods rose, wild rose	3,500 -10,500	Foothills - Subalpine	L - M	D	spiny, dark reddish-brown stems; thicket-forming; dark green compound leaf; single, large pink flowers in early summer; reddish-orange fruits; browse plant for wildlife.
Shepherdia canadensis	russet buffaloberry	5,000 -11,500	Montane - Subalpine	L	D	prostrate to upright shrub; brown thornless branches; dark green, oval leaves with russet colored scales beneath; inconspicuous flowers followed by red to orange bitter fruit on females; attractive to wildlife; shade tolerant.
Symphoricarpos albus	snowberry	5,000 - 8,500	Foothills	L - M	D	arching growth habit; thicket-forming; rounded, blue-green leaves; shade tolerant; pink bell-shaped flowers in summer; large white berries in fall persist into winter; attracts birds and small mammals.
1As commonly sold in the trade. For equivalents, see botanical publications.
2 Planting altitudes are estimates of where plants may be successfully grown as landscape plants. In many cases, species may be successfully planted at a lower zone with supplemental irrigation or a higher zone with protection.
3 Approximate life zone elevations: Plains - below 5,500 ft. in eastern CO; Upper Sonoran - below 7,000 ft. in western CO and below 8,000 ft. in San Luis Valley; Foothills - 5,500 - 8,000 ft.; Montane - 8,000 - 9,500 ft.; Subalpine - 9,500 - 11,500 ft.; Alpine - above 11,500 ft. Species requiring medium to high moisture occur along watercourses throughout all zones. For simplicity, life zones were taken from Grassland to Glacier by Mutel and Emerick, first edition, 1984. For a more detailed treatment of Colorado ecosystems, see second edition, 1992.
3aNative to Western Slope; 3bNative to Eastern Slope.
4 Moisture Requirement: L - Low, M - Moderate, H - High.
5 Except where noted, plants prefer full sun.
5a Plant Select is a cooperative program of Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens and the Green Industry with the purpose of introducing the very best plants for gardens from the High Plains and beyond.

 

Wax currant (Ribes cereum)	Waxflower (Jamesia americana)	Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)

¹ J. Klett, Colorado State University Extension landscape and horticulture specialist; B. Fahey, Jefferson County Extension natural resources/horticulture agent; and R. Cox, Arapahoe County Extension horticulture agent.7/02. Reviewed 7/08.

Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Colorado counties cooperating. CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.

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