Rocky Mountain Native Plants: Eight Species for Cold Winters and Short Summers

Natives are naturally suited to the Rockies' cold winters and short summers in CO, ID, MT, UT, WY. Many attract butterflies/hummingbirds; most thrive on rainfall alone once established. Plant in spring; even drought-tolerant natives need water during dry season for 1–2 years until established.

• Blue flax (Linum lewisii): 1½′ tall/wide; blue spring flowers. Sun to part shade; little water. Zones 1–3.
• Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa): 1½–3′ tall, 2′ wide; orange summer flowers. Attracts masses of butterflies. Needs good drainage. Sun; moderate water. Zones 1–3, 10, 11.
• Dotted gayfeather (Liatris punctata): 6″–3′ tall/wide; purplish-pink late summer spikes. Sun; little water. Zones 1–3.
• Mountain spray (Holodiscus dumosus): Deciduous shrub 3–6′ tall/wide; creamy white summer flowers. Part shade; little to regular water. Zones 1–3, 10.
• Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum): Mounding perennial 20″ tall/wide; maroon spring flowers. Sun to part shade; little water. Zones 1–3.
• Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia caerulea): 1½–3′ tall, 2′ wide; blue-white spring flowers. Sun to part shade; regular water. Zones 1–3, 10, 11.
• Small-flowered penstemon (P. procerus): 1′ tall/wide; bluish-purple late spring flowers. Part shade; moderate water. Zones 1–3.
• Tufted evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa): 8–12″ tall, 2′ wide; fragrant white all summer. Sun; little water. Zones 1–3, 10, 11.