The Role of Native Plants in Your Colorado Landscape
There are 40 million acres of lawn across the U.S., and while our yards remove carbon dioxide from the air, they can also be covered in invasive non-native grasses and plants. Caring for those non-native plants and grasses puts an enormous strain on our carbon footprint. That’s part of the reason there’s been such a rising interest in native plants in recent years.
A native plant is any plant that grows naturally in a certain area. In the U.S., native plants vary widely by state, and within Colorado, they can vary based on the specific location and geography. However, there are many benefits that support incorporating native plants into your lawn and landscaping.
Below, we’ll take a look at why native plants matter, how to find the right ones, and how to weave them seamlessly into your existing landscaping.
Benefits of Incorporating Colorado Native Plants in Your Yard
Like many of us, you want a healthy and lush lawn so you can best enjoy your outdoor spaces. You may have researched organic lawn care, maintained regular mowing, watering, and weeding, and put down the proper fertilizers and pest control. So maybe now you’re thinking that digging into the world of native plants is too big of a hassle. Luckily, native plants are usually easy to maintain and grow, and they can add true natural beauty to your Colorado landscape. As for the other benefits, they include:
Drought Tolerance
Colorado is an arid state with desert-like conditions in some areas, so managing water is critical to having a healthy and attractive yard. Additionally, many Rocky Mountain area residents are also very water-conscious, and want to conserve this precious resource whenever possible. That’s where xeriscaping comes into play. Xeriscaping is a landscaping method that combines plants with low water needs and other materials that conserve water to create a yard or garden that is both beautiful and sustainable. Since native plants are already used to the specific climate in which they’re traditionally found, they can often thrive with less water than non-native counterparts. This reduces the amount of irrigation and regular watering you need to do, and it cuts back on overall maintenance.
Pest and Disease Resistance
Pest and disease control are critical to your Colorado garden, but non-native trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers are all much more susceptible to disease. Plus, they are also more likely to spread diseases to other plants. Native plants are much more resistant to both the pests and the lawn diseases found in your region, which means there’s a reduced need for herbicides, fungicides, and other chemical lawn treatments.
Supporting Local Wildlife
Native flora exists in a symbiotic relationship with native fauna, meaning that birds, insects, and animals all need native plants to survive. When you incorporate native plants, you’ll likely find your yard is suddenly home to more bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds than ever before. This ecosystem support grows ever more critical as wildlife habitats are being taken over and developed. Every bit helps, so even planting a few natives in your flower beds will have an impact on surrounding wildlife.
Enhancing Biodiversity
In addition to attracting more birds and bees, native plants increase your local biodiversity in other helpful ways. They provide food for local animals, and shelter, too. They can also be a breeding ground for healthy bacteria. When you plant natives, you don’t have to be concerned that you’re introducing something damaging into the ecosystem — whatever impact they have will be a positive one.
Positive Environmental Impact
Speaking of positive impact, native plants are a fantastic way to support the environment. Natives generally require less watering, less fertilizer, and less chemical treatment. Additionally, planting native flowers and shrubs in parts of your lawn can reduce the need to mow and use other power tools, such as leaf blowers and weed eaters. All of this reduces energy use and the use of fossil fuels.
Selecting the Right Native Plants for Your Garden
Remember that Colorado is a big state, so not every plant that’s labeled a “Colorado-native” will be right for your Denver home or your Boulder home. If you have questions, you can always seek out your local master gardeners, or a university extension office. When looking for native plants, be sure to consider the following:
- Sunlight: How much of your yard is in full sun versus shade or partial sun? What direction does your lawn or yard face? Different native plants have different light needs, so be sure to check before you pick a place for them.
- Rain: Most Colorado native plants will be somewhat drought resistant, but some like more water than others. If you’re in an area that gets a bit more rain throughout the year, keep that in mind.
- Soil: Much of Colorado has very sandy soil, and that can play a major role in what grows easily in your yard. Check out your soil type and look for native plants that are compatible.
- Elevation: If you live in a high-altitude Rocky Mountain location, that will play a role in which native plants will thrive in your garden or lawn.
Best Places to Find Native Plants
First, let’s start with where not to find native Colorado plants. If possible, avoid the big box stores, as they don’t always know what’s a true native, and they may not have the knowledge to recommend plants appropriate for your region. Also, be sure never to just take a plant from nature. It’s unwise to remove a plant from a place where it’s growing wild. Misidentification could cause problems, and you might inadvertently bring some damaging pests along for the ride.
Local nurseries should have much more expertise and experience in helping you select native plants appropriate for your yard or garden. You can also try contacting the Colorado Native Plant Society (CONPS) for more in-depth information and recommendations.
Want some guidance to get you started finding Colorado native plants? Along with the plants mentioned so far, here’s a quick list:
- Milkweed
- Narrowleaf
- Prairie Coneflower
- Blue Flax
- Linum
- Aspen
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Aquilegia Caerulea
- Leadplant
- Monarda Fistulosa
- Penstemon Strictus
- Ponderosa Pine
Designing with Native Plants
Incorporating native plants into your landscape design may not be as difficult as you think. Many natives are perennials, which means they’ll come back year after year, like callirhoe or evening primrose. Plus, natives bloom at different times, so you can plan a design that will have showy flowers, bright colors, or other visual interest all throughout the year.
You also don’t have to give up all your non-natives, either. Any amount of native plants you add to your garden or lawn will give you huge benefits, but you don’t have to keep it exclusive. Weave natives into existing flower beds or borders in between other plants, or create a small pollinator or butterfly garden with native wildflowers like bluestem, columbine, bee balm, or blanket flower. You can even add native ground cover around trees or in beds to cut down on the amount of grass you need to grow and maintain.
How Integrated Lawn Care Can Help With Your Yard
While a native plant garden can be created on your own, working with a professional lawn care company can make it easier and more effective. At Integrated Lawn Care, we understand Colorado natives and know how to care for your yard, whether it’s turfgrass, native wildflowers, ground cover, or anything else. Our lawn care services are comprehensive, and we’d love to chat about how we can make your yard a haven for plants, insects, animals, and most importantly — you! Get in touch and start your quote today.