Native Plants for High-Elevation Western Gardens

• High-elevation gardening in the western United States poses a few challenges for gardeners and landscapers. A short growing season, poor soil, little summer rainfall and low humidity combine to make native plants some of the best choices for gardens at high altitudes. Native plants offer built-in resistance to drought and insects and have adapted to the conditions high elevations bring. Choosing the proper plants and the best site helps gardeners create plant-filled areas that thrive and add to the landscape.

Colorado Columbine

• As Colorado's state flower, attractive, dangling bluish-purple and white blossoms make Colorado columbine a choice for gardens up to 11,000 feet in elevation. The plants thrive in partial shade, growing from 12 to 36 inches in height. In the fall, columbine's leaves turn an eye-catching shade of red. The flowers bloom in early summer, when they provide an important food source for hummingbirds that eat the nectar and help pollinate the plants. Grow columbine in organic, slightly acidic soil that retains moisture.

Harebells

• Harebells grow in gardens up to 13,000 feet in elevation, making them ideal for very high mountain elevations. The plants grows from 8 to 15 inches in height and feature delicate green foliage that adds texture and variety to the garden or landscape. The plant produces purple bell-shaped flowers that bloom in mid- to late summer. Plant harebells in full sun to partial shade in almost any soil type. Harebells offer strong drought tolerance, needing a little extra moisture in times of severe drought.

Silver Lupine

• Long spikes of flowers resembling little peas make silver lupine an interesting plant for gardens and landscapes up to 10,000 feet in elevation. The plant grows up to 36 inches in height with palm-shaped leaves. The spikes of white to deep purple flowers bloom in midsummer, providing butterflies with an important food source. The drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun in well-drained soil.

Desert Four O'Clock

• Desert four o'clock grows in a spreading, mounding habit in gardens up to 8,000 feet in elevation. Flowers ranging from pink to purple with bright yellow stamens open late each morning, blooming anytime from mid- to late summer. The flowers resemble trumpets. The plant grows up to 30 inches in height, so staking may be necessary. Grow desert four o'clock in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils. During times of drought, the plant may need extra water.

Rocky Mountain Penstemon

• A fast-growing plant that thrives in areas up to 10,000 feet in elevation, Rocky Mountain penstemon grows up to 30 inches in height. The plant features glossy, narrow leaves and bluish-purple tubular-shaped flowers on long spikes that bloom in midsummer. The plant thrives in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils.