NEWS

Western Slope Native Plants

Apr 9
1 min read

Classified as a semi-arid desert shrubland, gardening and farming in the Western Slope poses unique challenges. The region has low humidity, and low precipitation as well as alkaline soils that drain poorly. Summers are hot and nights are cold. Plants here are well adapted to these conditions and can thrive in the harsh climate characteristic of the Western Slope, and planting native allows for the beautiful blooming and greening that happens around monsoon season.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Mature Size	Water	Exposure	Wildlife Value
Mormon Tea	Ephedera viridis	3’ x 4’	low	sun
Desert Prickly Pear	Opuntia phaeacantha	3-6’ x 3-6’	low	sun	Bee, birds, wildlife
Lavender Leaf Sundrops	Calylophus lavandulifolius	12” x 12”	low	sun	Native pollinator, bee
Blue Flax	Linum lewisii	18” x 12”	low	sun/part shade	Native pollinator, bee, butterfly
Bee Balm	Monarda fistulosa L. menthafolia	24” x 24”	low-med	sun/part shade	Native pollinator, bee, butterfly
Small Leaf Pussytoes	Antennaria parvifolia	2” x 6”	low	sun/part shade	Native pollinator, bee butterfly
Little Bluestem	Schizachyrium scoparium	24” x 18”	low	sun

This list was created with resources from the Xerces Society, the Colorado Native Plant Society, and the Biota of North America Project. Check out their websites for even more plant recommendations!

Prickly Pear and Blue Flax - Photos by Rob Greer.

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