Where to Buy Xeriscape Plants in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has 2 CSU-vetted xeriscape demonstration gardens and a water-wise plant database at waterwiseplants.org that evaluates over 200 plant varieties for zone 5b conditions, making local sourcing critical for plant survival in our climate.

Key Takeaways

• Plant Select program has vetted nearly 200 water-wise plants proven for Colorado zone 5b winters and alkaline soils.
• Colorado Springs Utilities operates 2 xeriscape demonstration gardens at Mesa Road and Dublin Boulevard locations.
• Big-box stores often stock zone 7+ plants that die in Colorado Springs winters; verify zone 5–6 hardiness before purchase.
• Colorado-grown plants acclimated to local elevation survive temperature swings better than California or Texas nursery stock.

Not all plants sold as "drought tolerant" in Colorado Springs are actually suited to our climate. Big-box garden centers stock plants grown in California or Texas nurseries, selected for appearance on a shelf, not survival in a zone 5b winter or a Colorado Springs August.

Buying the right plant from the right source saves you money, frustration, and a lot of dead plants. Here is how to find Colorado-adapted xeriscape plants in the Springs.

What should you ask for when buying xeriscape plants at any nursery?

Before you buy a single plant, learn two phrases: "Plant Select varieties" and "Colorado-grown."

Plant Select is the cooperative program between Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens that has trialed and vetted nearly 200 water-wise plants for Colorado conditions. Plants with the Plant Select label have been proven to survive our winters, our alkaline soils, and our dry summers. Ask any local nursery whether they carry Plant Select varieties. A good nursery will know exactly what that means.

"Colorado-grown" matters because plants grown locally are already acclimated to our elevation, temperature swings, and soil conditions. A lavender grown in a California greenhouse and shipped north may look identical on the shelf but has never experienced a Colorado freeze. It may not harden off properly before your first hard frost.

Also look for these flags on plant tags: zone 5 or zone 6 hardiness rating, low to moderate water needs, and whether the plant is native to the Rocky Mountain region. The drought-tolerant plants page on our site lists specific varieties that perform well here.

What types of plants should you avoid at big-box garden stores?

Garden centers at large home improvement stores typically stock what sells regionally across multiple climate zones. That often means plants rated to zone 7 or warmer that will die in a Colorado Springs winter. Spanish lavender, rosemary, and many ornamental grasses fall into this category.

You will also find plants with minimal labeling. If the tag does not list a hardiness zone or water needs, that is a problem. Do not buy on appearance alone. A plant that looks stunning in May at the store can be dead by September if it was never suited to your yard.

If you do shop at a big-box store, limit yourself to clearly labeled plants with zone 5 or zone 6 hardiness ratings, and cross-reference against the Colorado Springs Utilities water-wise plant database at waterwiseplants.org before buying.

What resources does Colorado Springs Utilities provide for xeriscape plant selection?

Colorado Springs Utilities runs one of the best local resources for xeriscape plant selection. Their water-wise plant database at waterwiseplants.org lets you search by plant type, water need, sun exposure, and hardiness. Every plant in the database has been evaluated for the Colorado Springs climate specifically.

Colorado Springs Utilities also maintains Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens where you can see established xeriscape plants growing in real Colorado conditions before you decide what to buy. These are located at 2855 Mesa Road and at Cottonwood Creek Park at 3920 Dublin Boulevard. Walking through an established xeriscape in late summer, when plants are under water stress, shows you which ones genuinely perform.

Colorado Springs Utilities also offers rebates for qualifying xeriscape installations, including water-wise plant installation on new home landscapes. See our xeriscape rebates page for details on what qualifies.

Free and Low-Cost Plant Sources

The Front Range Wild Ones chapter coordinates Colorado Native Plant Swaps in spring where you can bring extra seedlings and take home plants from other gardeners' yards. These swaps are an excellent way to get locally grown, genuinely Colorado-adapted plants at no cost. In autumn they host seed swaps where you can collect seeds from proven native performers.

Watch for native plant sales hosted by botanical societies and conservation groups, typically in May and September, which align with the two best planting windows for Colorado. These sales often include plants you cannot find at any nursery, particularly uncommon natives like Cliffrose, Apache Plume, and native buckwheats.

For seeds, several Colorado-based seed suppliers specialize in Great Plains and Rocky Mountain native seed mixes. Seeding is slower than transplanting but significantly cheaper for large areas like native plant meadows or slope stabilization.

A Framework for Any Purchase

When evaluating a plant at any source, check four things: hardiness zone (zone 5 or 6 minimum), water needs (low to moderate), whether it is Colorado-grown or Plant Select, and whether it fits your site's sun and soil conditions. If all four check out, you have a good candidate for a xeriscape design in Old Colorado City, Briargate, Stetson Hills, or anywhere else in the Colorado Springs area.

For a professionally designed plant plan built around what thrives in your specific neighborhood, call (719) 631-2371 or get a free estimate. We source Colorado-adapted plants and back our installations with a plant health guarantee.