Plants and Flowers That Like Cold Weather in Colorado

Colorado gardening presents many obstacles, including arid, windy conditions with wide temperature fluctuations. One secret to successful gardening in Colorado is to choose hardy plants and flowers that can survive cold winter weather.

Types

Perennials such as yarrow, hyssop, coreopsis, and coneflower grow well in cold weather. Good annuals include cosmos, lantana, petunias and zinnias. Native shrubs such as serviceberry, dogwood, red-berried elder, and juniper also make good choices. Cool-season vegetables such as potatoes, lettuce, and broccoli do well in the cold Colorado climate.

Considerations

Colorado falls mostly into USDA plant hardiness zone 4, so selected plants must be hardy to at least this zone to thrive in the state. Plants must also survive well in dry conditions and in various soil problems, including clay structures and soil with a high pH and salt level. Fast-growing plants often succumb to fast temperature drops, unexpected snow, and early frosts. Slow-growing plants sustain less damage from such weather conditions.

Tip

The soil in raised beds warms earlier in the spring, allowing a longer growing season. This effect occurs even in relatively shallow beds of only 6 to 8 inches in depth.

References

• United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
• Fine Gardening: Cold-Climate Gardening
• Colorado State University Extension: Xeriscaping: Perennials and Annual Flowers
• Colorado State University Extension: Colorado Gardening: Challenge to Newcomers
• Colorado State University Extension: Native Shrubs for Colorado Landscapes

Resources

• Colorado State University Extension: Colorado Mountain Gardening Basics
• Planttalk Colorado: Spring Frosts and Snows