Small child at a Denver, Colorado farm points at a native blanketflower

Checking out the blanketflower at DGS, 2024

Colorado Native Plant Uses

While looking up information on companion planting - and being suggested over and over again that I plant marigolds and borage and basil (all of which I love, no shade at all!) - I found myself wondering if there weren't any Colorado native options that could serve the same purposes as some of these super commonly planted non-natives.

Native plants are not only adapted to our climate and thus easier to grow, but also attract native pollinator populations, many of whom are in decline (3).

So I started digging (lol).

I'll put all of the information I find below, in bits probably!

(I haven't tried any of these out yet, to be clear. I just want this information handy for when I do finally get my hands on some land.

PLANT BENEFITS

Leadplant

(Amorpha canescens)

bush

"Leadplant grows naturally on the high plains of the easternmost counties of Colorado, so it is very tolerant of extreme conditions."(1) "Prospers in hot, dry conditions."(1)

☀️ Thrives in full sun but tolerates light shade

💧 Low to moderate water

Perennial
Nitrogen fixer
Attracts native bees (instead of European bees)
Low/moderate water needs
Important larval & adult food host for native invertebrates
Deep roots help prevent soil erosion
Tolerant of shade and high winds
Good replacement for the non-native Russian sage, similar size, appearance, and niche

Blanketflower

(Gaillardia aristata)

flower

Blanketflowers are the *only* host plant for the flowermoth, which both lives, reproduces, and feeds exclusively off of this native plant.(5)

Blanketflowers are also closely connected to fire, being found in greater quantity in areas where there has recently been a fire.(6)

☀️ Needs full sun to flower well

💧 Quite drought tolerant once established

Perennial
A dye plant
Attracts native pollinators
Very low water needs
Long blooming season (May-Sept)
Medicinal: tea made from blanketflower used as nose drops, eye drops, and can be applied to nursing mothers' sore nipples, sunburns, stomach digestion, and kidney issues

Serviceberry or Juneberry or Saskatoon

(Amelanchier alnifolia)

shrub

Serviceberry bushes are known for having year-round interest: white flowers in the spring, blue-black berries in the summer, beautiful foliage color in the fall, and in winter the twigs are prime forage for deer elk and other wild species.(9)

Also, in Canada, where they're called "Saskatoons" (which is our Colorado native variety of Serviceberry) are sold as a superfood.(10) "Studies show the berries to be higher than blueberries in vitamin C, fiber, iron, and protein."(10) Their taste is apparently a mix of strawberry, blueberry, and a little like almond.(10)

☀️ Prefers 4-6 hours but can tolerate partial shade

💧 Mature trees are moderately drought tolerant

Perennial
Low maintenance
High yield
Moderate to low water needs

Milkweed

(Asclepias spp.)

flower

Milkweed is the only host plant for monarch caterpillars, making them an important part of the ecosystem (11). I personally love the orange blooms of the Butterfly Milkweed, but there are a number of common milkweed varieties native to Colorado, including Spider (light green and purple blooms), Swamp (with pink and purple blooms), and more (11).

☀️ Grow best in full sun (6-8 hours) but can tolerate shade in the afternoon

💧 Low water needs once established (13)

Cold hardy and overwinter well
Flowers stand up well in cut bouquets
They can spread by rhizomes, which can be good or bad depending on your needs (12)
Direct sow (they do not like to be transplanted!) (13)
No need for fertilizer (13)