Your Seasonal Guide to Growing Flowers in Colorado

GSC017RoottoBloomPlantingFlowersbytheSeason

Spring is on its way, which probably has any green thumbs out there thinking about their flower garden. Spring is on its way, which probably has any green thumbs out there thinking about their flower garden.

Flowers are a wonderful way to bring color and life to your home and lawn. Spring and summer are the prime time for flowers to grow and blossom. But did you know that even in the arid landscape of Colorado, you can jazz up your landscaping with floral flair year-round?

Follow this season-by-season flowering guide to liven up your Colorado home and lawn year-round.

Spring

When it comes to planting flowers in a Colorado spring (mid-March to mid-June), you need to focus on cold-resistant plants.

Spring in Colorado is notorious for late frosts and unexpected snowfall, so you’ll want to choose flowers that can handle that possibility.

Plants like tulips, irises, and daffodils (all planted in the fall to bloom in spring), hyacinths (a bulb you plant after the last spring frost), and snapdragons are all good candidates.

A few more specific flowers you might try planting in the spring include:

Salvia May Night

  • Also known as May Sage, this flower has a beautiful deep purple color and is very cold-hardy, as well as deer and rabbit resistant.
  • It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and has an extended bloom time of 4 weeks. Plus, it’s easy to grow.

Scarlet Monardella

  • This spectacularly red wildflower will bloom in mid- to late-spring, and is sure to attract hummingbirds.
  • Like the May Night, it’s deer and rabbit resistant and easy to grow.
  • Make sure this flower gets a lot of light and has good drainage.

Pink Wild Snapdragon

  • Also known as Palmer’s Beardtongue, this fragrant plant has light pink flowers that you can expect to bloom in early summer if you plant it in the spring.
  • Its native to New Mexico and Arizona, but will grow just as well in Colorado.
  • Its heat tolerant and does well with the sandy soil of the region.

Summer

A Colorado summer (mid-June to mid-September) can be dry, so you should plant drought-tolerant flowers. Avoid tropical plants, as they typically need a lot of water to flourish.

Petunias (which come in a wide variety of colors), zinnias, and potato vine all do well in summer here.
A few other flowers to consider during the Colorado summer are:

Marigolds

  • This flower blooms in shades of red, orange, and yellow, and is one of the largest plant families.
  • Most marigolds are annuals that will die with the first frost, so you need to wait until summer is truly here before you plant.
  • The marigold’s pungent leaves can deter pests, and generally the plant is hardy against disease and pests.

Geraniums

  • This plant is a small shrub that sports five-petal flowers.
  • It grows in a wide variety of colors, which makes it a great go-to for decorative purposes, as you can choose from reds, purples, and blues to pink or white to fit in and match the rest of your landscaping.
  • Plant after the last frost and enjoy it’s blooms all summer long.

Plumbago

  • This a great plant for summer in Colorado, as it’s quite drought-tolerant and it blooms all summer into the fall.
  • The flowers are extraordinarily blue, and then in fall the plant transitions to show off beautiful red autumnal foliage. It does particularly well in shade, so plant under trees.

Fall

As in spring, you’ll want cold-hearty flowers for autumn in Colorado (mid-September to mid-December). Think fall colors (chrysanthemums are perfect for this) and decorative plants.

Mums

  • This fall classic comes in white, purple, and orange, and is great for landscaping late into the year.
  • Winter hardy, and looks great when planted in mass with lots of mums in a group (but don’t overcrowd).
  • Plant in full sun with well-drained soil.

Ornamental Kale

  • It doesn’t really matter if you like the taste of kale or not, because this variety isn’t for eating, it’s for decoration only.
  • Flowering kale looks a lot like normal garden kale, but the difference lies in the color. Growing in rose or creamy white colors, they end up looking more like flowers than leaves.
  • They do well in full sun or partial shade, and their most beautiful colors will develop after a chilly frost.

Ornamental Peppers

  • These peppers are grown for their looks, though they are edible (just not particularly tasty).
  • Its colorful fruit grows in red, purple, orange, yellow, black, or white, and they even change shades as they develop.
  • Coupled with bushy, very green leaves that really make the colors pop, ornamental peppers are a great decorative plant for autumn in Colorado.

Fall is also the time to plant any bulbs or perennials before the first frost hits, and the perfect opportunity to prep your landscaping for winter.

Winter

Unfortunately, flowers can’t withstand the freezing temperatures we’re sure to see in a Colorado winter (mid-December to mid-March). But the good news is, there are colorful plant-based arrangements you can do create to maintain four-season interest around your home.

Here are a few ideas for planting during a Colorado winter:

Spruce Tips

  • These great winter decorations come from spruce trees and can be purchased at your local nursery.
  • Empty out your pots and planters and top off with some fresh soil, then arrange the spruce tips in pyramid configurations, with the tallest in the center and the shorter ones around the edge.
  • Add colorful touches with white or red pine, eucalyptus, and red berries.

Decorative Pinecones

  • Add decorative pinecones to your spruce tip arrangements for an extra holiday touch, or try hanging them around your fireplace or doorways.
  • You can also make a pinecone wreath, door hanger, or other pine cone arrangements using hot glue with a Styrofoam ball or cone as a foundation.

Hardy Herbs

  • Grow hardy perennial herbs such as tarragon, mint, and horseradish in pots and then bring them inside during the extra cold months to keep them going year-round.
  • They add a beautiful touch of life to your home even in the dead of winter, and you can harvest them as needed for your holiday recipes.

Follow this guide to keep your home blossoming with beautiful flowers and decorative plants year-round. And be sure to check out our blog on quick landscape fixes to make your home warm and inviting.
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