As a born and raised Coloradan and an amateur landscaper, more and more I see firsthand the impact that urban development and climate change have had on our state’s natural landscapes. That’s why I believe it’s critical to incorporate native plants into sustainable landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity and reduce water consumption in Colorado.
Our native plants have evolved in this biome and are adapted to our unique climate and soil conditions. I’ve seen that by planting native species, we can reduce water consumption, protect soil health, and support local wildlife populations. With my own landscape business, I’ve seen the positive impact that native plants can have ranging from my client’s checkbook to the health of our local communities.
One of the critical roles of our native plants is in preserving biodiversity. These species support a wide range of insects, birds, and mammals, providing essential habitat and food sources. For example, the Rocky Mountain bee plant is a native species that as you might guess, supports pollinators. The plant’s nectar and pollen are an important food source for bee and butterfly pollinators, which are critical for the reproduction of all other plant species. On my end, I’ve encouraged homeowners to plant flowers including the Purple Prairie Clover, the Colorado Four O’Clock, Fireweed, Golden Currant, Indian Paintbrush or the Rocky Mountain Bee Plant, all of which provide an excellent source of nectar and pollen.
A financial pro to choosing from the many beautiful and resilient Colorado native species when constructing, rearranging, or making additions to your lawn, garden, or ornamental landscaping are the low water conditions these native species can thrive in. For example, the Blue grama grass and Buffalo Grass are native species that require minimal watering, making them an excellent choice for xeriscaping. However, it’s essential to choose the right species for your specific location and soil conditions. Soils in Colorado tend to have low levels of organic matter and are generally alkaline, and these native plants are typically able to grow successfully in unaltered soils. Sometimes trying to grow these species in super nutrient-rich soils makes them overgrown and live less long.
If you are considering planting one of these species, there may be times when you will need to slightly amend your natural Coloradoan soil. For example, perhaps your soil is high in clay and provides too poor of drainage for the species you’re considering, you may need to adjust the aggregate level, and if your soil was especially rocky and too well drained for the species your considering, you may need increase water retention slightly by amending with a small amount of compost. Some of the species I’ve planted in unamended soil and had success with are the Purple coneflower, Goldenrod, and Big bluestem, and Apache Plume (this one is especially unkillable).
You can also easily plant native trees, and no, I don’t just mean aspens. A tree I plant often is the Gambel oak, a native species that supports birds, squirrels, and deer, because the acorns are an important food source for these animals, making it a critical component of our local ecosystems. As an oak it grows slowly, but will create a dense canopy that can help decrease evaporation in your yard, effectively saving water. Other options that homeowners mention to me frequently include the Blue Spruce, Narrowleaf Cottonwood(if cottonwoods are legal to plant in your area), Ponderosa Pine, or Rocky Mountain Juniper.
Colorado is a semi-arid state with limited water resources, water conservation is critical in Colorado, and many native plant species have evolved to survive in low water conditions, making them an ideal choice for sustainable landscaping. Our biodiversity is crucial to preserving our state’s natural beauty for future generations. As a landscaper, I believe it’s critical to incorporate sustainable landscaping practices into my work, and I’m convinced that growing native species is the most impactful way to do that. As Coloradans, it our responsibility to create a more sustainable and resilient Colorado for future generations, and you can make a difference with just your own yard.
