Suggested Plants

Key

Water Needs:
VL = Very Low; L = Low; M = Medium; H = High

Sun / Shade Requirements:
S = Sun; PS = Part Sun; Sh = Shade; Prt Sh = Part Shade

Table 1. Native, low-water flowers and ground covers
SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME APPROX. WATER NEEDS SUN/SHADE PREFERENCE APPROX. MATURE HEIGHT FLOWER COLOR ELEVATION (1,000’/K) APPROX. BLOOM TIME LOW FLAMMABILITY RATING
Achillea lanulosa, now A. millefolium common yarrow L-H S/PS 1.5–2′ white 5–10K Jul 9.5
Allium cernuum nodding onion L-H S/PS 1′ pink/purple 5–10K Jun 10 10
Allium geyeri Geyer’s onion L-H S/PS 1′ pink 5–10K Jun 10 10
Antennaria parvifolia small-leaf pussytoes M S/PS <5″ creamy white 5–10K Jun 8
Antennaria rosea rosy pussytoes M S/PS <5″ rose 5–10K Jun 8
Aquilegia chrysantha golden columbine M-H S/PS 1–2′ yellow 5–10K Jun–Aug 8
Asclepias tuberosa common butterfly weed L-M S 1–2′ orange 5–6K Summer 8
Symphyotrichum (f. Aster) laeve smooth aster L-H S/PS 1–3′ blue/lavender 5–10K Aug–Sep 8
Symphyotrichum (f. Aster) porteri porter aster L-M S 1′ white 5–10K Aug–Sep 8
Astragalus utahensis Utah milkvetch L S 0.5′ pink/purple 5–6K Spring 8
Callirhoe involucrata poppy mallow L S 5″ pink/white 5–8K Summer 8
Calochortus gunnisonii Gunnison’s mariposa lily M-H S 1.5–2′ white 5–10K Jul–Aug 8
Campanula rotundifolia harebell, bluebells of Scotland M-H S 5–1′ blue 5–10K May–Oct 9.5
Claytonia lanceolata western spring beauty M Sh 1.5–1.5′ white 5–10K Mar–Apr 9.5
Coreopsis tinctoria plains coreopsis L-M S 2.5–3′ yellow 5–10K Summer 8
Erysimum capitatum western wallflower M S/PS 1+’ yellow 5–10K Jun–Jul 9
Gaillardia aristata blanketflower L-M S 1–1.5′ yellow-reddish 5–10K Jul–Sep 8
Galium boreale northern bedstraw M-H Sh <1′ white 5–10K May–Jun 8
Geranium caespitosum Rocky Mountain geranium M Sh/PS 2′ pink/purple/white 5–10K May–Oct 8
Geum triflorum prairie smoke M S/PS 1.5′ reddish pink 5–10K Jun 8
Leucocrinum montanum sand lily L-M S <1′ white 5–8K May 10
Linum lewisii Lewis or blue flax L S 2.5′ blue 5–8K Late Spring–Early Summer 8
Lupinus argenteus silvery lupine M Sh/PS 1–3′ blue 5–10K Jun–Jul 8
Mertensia lanceolata prairie bluebell M Sh/PS 1–2′ blue 5–10K May–Jun 10
Oenothera speciosa evening primrose L-M S <1.5′ white-pink 4–7K May–Jul 8
Penstemon caespitosus mat penstemon L-M S <.5′ purple 5–10K Jun 8 8
Penstemon secundiflorus sidebells penstemon L-M S 1–2′ blue/violet/pink 5–9K May–Jun 8
Penstemon teucrioides germander beardtongue L-M S .5′ purple/violet 5–10K Jun 8
Penstemon spp. penstemon species, cultivars L-M S 1–2.5′ blue/purple/violet 5–9K Summer 8
Penstemon strictus Rocky Mountain penstemon L-M S 2–2.5′ purple/violet 5–10K Jul 8
Penstemon virens Front Range beardtongue M S/PS .5′ blue 5–10K Jun 8
Sedum lanceolatum yellow stonecrop M S/PS .5′ yellow 5–10K Jul–Aug 10
Thermopsis rhombifolia var. divaricarpa spreadfruit golden banner M-H S/PS 2′ yellow 5–10K May 8

Table 2. Native, low-water shrubs, trees, and cacti

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME APPROX. WATER NEEDS SUN/SHADE PREFERENCE APPROX. MATURE HEIGHT FLOWER COLOR ELEVATION (1,000’/K) APPROX. BLOOM TIME LOW FLAMMABILITY RATING
Amelanchier alnifolia v. utahensis Utah serviceberry VL-M S 4–6′ white 5–7K May 7.5
Cylindropuntia spp. cholla VL-M S 3–5′ pink 5–6K Jun 8 8
Opuntia spp. prickly pear VL S 5–7′ yellow/pink 5–7.5K May 10
Philadelphus lewisii Cheyenne mock orange M S 2–3′ white 5–9K Jun 8
Populus tremuloides aspen M S 8–25′ catkins 5–10K n/a 8
Rhus glabra smooth sumac L S 3–5′ yellow 5–8K Apr 8 8
Rhus trilobata ‘Autumn Amber’ Autumn Amber sumac L S/PS 1′ yellow 5–7.5K Apr 8 8
Symphoricarpos albus snowberry M S/PS 2–3′ white/pink 5–9K n/a 8
Yucca baccata banana yucca VL-L S/PS 2–3′ white 5–6K Jun 8
Yucca glauca soapweed, Great Plains yucca VL-L S/PS 2–3′ white 5–7K Jun 8 8

Table 3. Non-native, low-water flowers and ground covers

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME APPROX. WATER NEEDS SUN/SHADE PREFERENCE APPROX. MATURE HEIGHT FLOWER COLOR ELEVATION (1,000’/K) APPROX. BLOOM TIME LOW FLAMMABILITY RATING
Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ variegated bishop’s weed, goutweed M S/PS 8″ white 5–8K not showy 8
Ajuga reptans bugleweed H Sh <.5′ blue 5–10K Jun–Jul 8
Alchemilla mollis Lady’s mantle M-H PS/Sh 1′ yellow 5–9K Jun–Jul 8
Arabis spp. rockcress L-H S <1′ white 5–10K May–Jun 8
Armeria maritima sea thrift L-H S/PS .5′ white 5–10K Apr–Jun 8
Aubrieta spp. false rockcress M S 1′ pink/white/purple 5–9K Apr–May 8
Aurinia saxatilis basket of gold M S/PS 1′ yellow 5–9K Apr–May 8
Bergenia cordifolia heartleaf bergenia, pigsqueak M PS/Sh 1′ pink/purple 5–9K Spring 8
Centranthus ruber Jupiter’s beard L-H S/Sh 2–2.5′ red 5–10K May–Aug 10
Cerastium alpinum v. lanthanum alpine mouse-ear M S/PS 1′ white 5–10K May–Jun 8
Cerastium tomentosum snow-in-summer L-M S/PS 1′ white 5–9K May–Jun 8
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides plumbago L S/Sh .5′ blue 5–6K Fall 8
Convallaria majalis lily-of-the-valley H Sh <1′ white 5–9K May–Jun 8
Coreopsis spp. tickseed, coreopsis M S 1.5–2′ yellow 5–8K Summer 8
Delosperma nubigenum hardy yellow ice plant M-H S .5′ chartreuse-yellow 5–8K Jun 10
Delosperma spp. ice plant L S 1.5–2′ yellow varies Spring 10
Dianthus spp. pink L-H S <.5–2′ pink 5–10K May–Aug 9
Diascia integerrima ‘Coral Canyon’ Coral Canyon twinspur M S/Prt Sh 1–1.5′ rose-pink 4–7K Summer 9
Doronicum spp. leopard’s bane H S/PS 2–3′ yellow 5–9K Jul–Aug 10
Echeveria spp. hens-n-chicks L S/Prt Sh 1–2′ varies 5–9K Summer 8
Ephedra regeliana Regel’s jointfir L S 6–12″ yellow 5–12K Spring 8
Erysimum linifolium wallflower L S 1–3′ varies 4.5–12K Spring–Summer 9
Euonymus fortunei winter creeper M S/Prt Sh 3′ green-white 4.5–8K Spring 8
Euphorbia polychroma cushion spurge L S 12–18″ yellow 5–8K Spring 10
Euphorbia x martini ‘Mini Martini’ Martini’s spurge L-H S 1.5–2′ chartreuse 4–6K Late Spring 10
Fragaria spp. wild strawberries M S/Prt Sh .25–.75′ white 5–11K Summer 9
Geranium spp. hardy geraniums M Sh/PS 2′ blue/pink/purple/white 5–10K May–Oct 8
Helianthemum nummularium rockrose, sunrose M-H S <1′ pink 5–8K May–Jun 8
Hemerocallis spp. daylilies L-M S/PS 1–3′ yellow/red/orange 5–7.5K Summer 10
Iberis sempervirens ‘Little Gem’ Little Gem evergreen M S .5–1′ white 4.5–9K Spring 8
Iris germanica bearded iris L-M S 1–3′ numerous colors 5–10K May–Jun 8
Kniphofia uvaria red hot poker L S 3′ red/yellow 5–6K Summer 8
Lamium spp. spotted deadnettle M-H Sh <1′ white/purple/pink 5–10K May–Jun 8
Lilium spp. lilies M S/PS/Sh 1–8′ varies 4–6.5K Summer 10
Lupinus spp. lupine L-M S/PS 2–3′ lavender/blue 5–10K Summer 8
Marrubium rotundifolium silver-edged horehound VL-L S 1.5–2.5′ white 5–6K Summer 8
Muscari armeniacum grape hyacinth M S/PS 6–9″ blue 4.5–10K Spring 10
Nierembergia gracilis ‘Starry Eyes’ ‘Starry Eyes’ cupflower M S 10″ purple (lt. lav.) 4.5–5.5K Summer/Late Summer 8
Nierembergia repens creeping white cup M-H S/PS 2–4″ white 4.5–5.5K Jul–Sep 8
Oenothera berlandieri Berlandier’s sundrop L-M S 1′ yellow 4.5–6.5K Early Summer–Fall 8
Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Sheen’ Green Sheen pachysandra M-H Sh 6–8″ white 4–8K April–May 8
Papaver orientale Oriental poppy H S/Sh 2–3′ orange/pink/red 5–10K May–Jun 8
Polemonium spp. Jacob’s ladder M S/PS 1–2′ blue/white 5–10K May–Aug 8
Polygonatum commutatum great Solomon’s seal M-H PS/Sh 2′ white 4–10K May–Jun 8
Salvia officinalis common or garden sage L-M S/PS 2′ blue-lavender/pink/lavender 5–8K Jun 7.5
Saxifraga hirsuta saxifrage H S/PS 5+’ white 5–10K May–Jun 8
Scutellaria alpina ‘Moonbeam’ alpine skullcap M S/PS 5–1′ white/purple 4–8K May 8
Sedum spp. stonecrop M S/PS 1–1.5′ yellow 5–10K Jul–Aug 10
Sempervivum spp. hens and chicks, houseleeks L-M S/PS .5′ pink 5–10K n/a 10
Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’ Golden Fleece goldenrod VL-M S 1–1.5′ yellow 4–8K Aug–Sep 8
Thymus serpyllum ‘Minus’ Elfin thyme L S 1–3″ pink 4–10K Early–Late Summer 8
Trifolium spp. clover M S/PS 1–2′ white/purple/pink varies/spp. varies: May–Oct 8
Veronica pectinata woolly creeping speedwell L-M S <.5′ blue 5–9K Apr–Jul 8
Vinca minor common periwinkle H Sh <1′ white 5–10K Apr–Jun 8
Waldsteinia spp. barren strawberry M-H Sh/PS <1′ yellow 5–9K May–Jun 8

Table 4. Non-native, low-water trees and shrubs

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME APPROX. WATER NEEDS SUN/SHADE PREFERENCE APPROX. MATURE HEIGHT FLOWER COLOR ELEVATION (1,000’/K) APPROX. BLOOM TIME LOW FLAMMABILITY RATING
Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ crimson pygmy Japanese barberry M S 2–3′ yellow 5–7.5K Spring 8
Ceanothus americanus New Jersey tea M S 2–3′ white 5–7.5K Summer 8
Lonicera tatarica Tatarian honeysuckle M S 4–6′ white/pink 5–10K May–Jun 8
Malus spp. crabapple M S 10–25′ white/pink/red 4.5–8K Apr–May 8
Yucca filamentosa Adam’s needle M S/PS 2–3′ white 5–8K Summer 8

Table 5. Turf grasses

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME APPROX. WATER NEEDS SUN/SHADE PREFERENCE APPROX. MATURE HEIGHT FLOWER COLOR ELEVATION (1,000’/K) APPROX. BLOOM TIME LOW FLAMMABILITY RATING
Bouteloua dactyloides buffalograss L S mow to 2″ n/a 5–6.5K n/a 9
Bouteloua gracilis blue grama L S mow to 2″ n/a 4.5–7.5K n/a 9
Festuca ovina sheep fescue M S mow to 2″ n/a 5–9K n/a 9
Lolium perenne perennial ryegrass M S mow to 2″ n/a 5–8K n/a 10
Poa compressa Canada bluegrass M S mow to 2″ n/a 5–8K n/a 9
Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass M S mow to 2″ n/a 5–9K n/a 10

Table 6. Low-flammability Plants with Higher Water Needs

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME APPROX. WATER NEEDS SUN/SHADE PREFERENCE APPROX. MATURE HEIGHT FLOWER COLOR ELEVATION (1,000’/K) APPROX. BLOOM TIME LOW FLAMMABILITY RATING
Aconitum columbianum Columbian monkshood M-H S 2′ blue/purple 5–10K Jun–Jul 7.5
Aconitum spp. monkshood M-H S 2′ blue/purple 5–10K Jun–Jul 7.5
Aquilegia caerulea Colorado blue columbine M-H S/PS 1–2′ blue-lavender/white 5–10K Jun–Jul 8
Aquilegia spp. columbine M-H S/PS 1–2′ varies 5–10K Jun–Jul 8
Corylus cornuta beaked hazelnut H S/Sh 5–6′ yellow-brown 5–7.5K inconspicuous 8
Hosta spp. hosta M-H PS 2–3′ varies varies Summer–Fall 8
Iris missouriensis Missouri or native iris M-H S 1–2′ violet blue 5–10K May 9.5