Best Plants for Xeriscape in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs lies in USDA zones 5b to 6a, where winter temperatures drop to minus 10°F and summer heat reaches 95°F—conditions that eliminate most common landscape plants. Choosing zone-appropriate xeriscape plants eliminates costly failures and ensures 3-5 year establishment success in Pikes Peak region clay soils.

Key Takeaways

• Colorado Springs is USDA zones 5b-6a with temperature swings from minus 10°F to 95°F.
• Blue grama grass grows 8-12 inches tall and is one of Earth's most drought-adapted grasses.
• Rocky Mountain penstemon blooms May-June at 18-24 inches, native to Colorado.
• Blanket flower blooms June-September, one of the longest-blooming perennials for the region.

Choosing the wrong plants is the fastest way to waste money on a xeriscape project. What works in Phoenix fails in Colorado Springs. What thrives in Denver's zone 6b may not survive a Black Forest winter at zone 5b.

Every plant on this list is verified for USDA zones 5b to 6a, the range that covers most of Colorado Springs and the surrounding Pikes Peak region. All of them handle clay soil, low humidity, intense UV, and temperature swings from minus 10 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

What are the best ground covers for Colorado Springs xeriscapes?

Ground covers do the hardest work in a xeriscape: they fill space between larger plants, suppress weeds, and eliminate bare soil that invites erosion. These are the most reliable options for Colorado Springs.

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) Stays under 3 inches tall, spreads to fill gaps, and blooms in small pink and purple clusters in June. It handles foot traffic well enough for planting between stepping stones. Full sun, very low water once established.

Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) The signature native grass of the Colorado Front Range. Grows 8 to 12 inches tall in clumps, with distinctive comb-shaped seed heads that persist through winter. It is one of the most drought-adapted grasses on the planet and handles Colorado Springs clay better than almost anything else.

Angelina stonecrop (Sedum rupestre 'Angelina') A low-growing succulent ground cover with bright chartreuse foliage that turns orange in fall and winter. Extremely drought-tolerant, spreads reliably, and adds color even when nothing else is blooming.

Browse more options on our drought-tolerant landscaping and rock gardens pages.

Which perennials thrive in Colorado Springs xeriscape gardens?

Perennials are the heart of a Colorado xeriscape. Plant them once and they come back larger every year, filling your beds without replanting.

Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus) Perhaps the most widely recommended plant for Front Range xeriscapes. Upright spikes of violet-blue flowers in May and June, 18 to 24 inches tall. Native to Colorado, highly drought-tolerant, loved by hummingbirds. CSU Extension lists it as a top-tier xeriscape perennial.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Daisy-like pink-purple blooms from July into September. Tolerates clay soil better than most perennials and provides seeds for goldfinches through late fall. Plant in full to part sun.

Blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata) Colorado native. Blooms from June to September in vivid red, orange, and yellow. Extremely tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soil. One of the longest-blooming perennials for the Pikes Peak region.

Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) Mounding blue-lavender flowers from late May through summer, with a second flush if you cut it back after the first bloom. Soft gray-green foliage, deer resistant, and extremely easy to grow in Colorado Springs clay. 'Walker's Low' is the most commonly available cultivar.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Available in yellow, white, rose, and red. Spreads to fill space, tolerates dry rocky soil, and blooms from June to August. A reliable filler between taller accent plants.

For a full breakdown by water zone and plant height, see our drought-tolerant plants and native plants pages.

What shrubs are CSU-verified for Colorado Springs xeriscapes?

Shrubs give your xeriscape structure and scale. These species are CSU-verified and proven in the Colorado Springs climate.

Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa) A Colorado native shrub that grows 4 to 6 feet tall with white rose-like flowers in early summer followed by feathery pink-to-silver seed plumes that persist into fall. Excellent for privacy screening, erosion control on slopes, and low-maintenance fencing along property lines in Stetson Hills and Briargate neighborhoods.

Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) Golden-yellow flowers in August and September, when almost nothing else is blooming. Grows 3 to 5 feet tall, silver-green foliage, extremely drought-adapted. An underused shrub that provides late-season color at minimal water cost.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) White flowers in early spring, edible blue-purple berries in summer, and orange-red fall color. One of the most versatile shrubs for the Pikes Peak region. Grows 6 to 12 feet tall and can be kept smaller with light pruning. Birds love the berries.

Blue mist spiraea (Caryopteris x clandonensis) Late-season bloomer with clusters of powder-blue flowers from August through frost. Grows 2 to 3 feet tall, mounds naturally, and requires almost no maintenance. Pairs well with rabbitbrush for a late-summer color combination.

Trees

Xeriscape trees need to handle Colorado's freeze-thaw cycles, summer heat, and alkaline clay soil. These species do.

Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) Native to the Colorado foothills and Front Range. Can be grown as a large multi-stem shrub or trained into a small tree reaching 15 to 20 feet. Provides dense shade, vivid red fall color, and critical wildlife habitat. Very drought-tolerant once established, tolerates caliche and clay. Common in natural areas around Monument and Black Forest.

Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum) A smaller native maple reaching 10 to 20 feet. Excellent for limited spaces and north-facing slopes. Orange-red fall color, multi-stem habit, and much more drought-tolerant than the ornamental maples sold at big-box stores.

Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) A slower-growing tree, but one of the most durable large-canopy oaks for Colorado's alkaline soils and temperature extremes. Reaches 50 to 60 feet at maturity. A long-term investment in shade and property value, listed by CSU Extension as a top choice for Front Range landscapes.

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) Flowering trees that bloom white in spring, hold bright red berries through winter, and reach 15 to 25 feet. Excellent wildlife habitat. Tolerates clay soil, periodic drought, and Colorado Springs wind.

Putting It All Together

A well-designed xeriscape layers these plants by height: ground covers at the edge, perennials in the mid-ground, shrubs at the back or along borders, and trees for canopy where space allows. Mix bloom times so something is flowering from May through September.

For design help and a site-specific plant plan, visit our xeriscape design and xeriscape installation pages. You may also qualify for rebates through Colorado Springs Utilities when you use approved water-wise species. See our xeriscape rebates page for details.

Call (719) 631-2371 or get a free estimate. We design and install xeriscapes using locally proven plants throughout Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Black Forest, and Old Colorado City.