Plant Guide

Best Plants for Colorado Springs, Colorado

πŸ“ Colorado Springs, CO 🌑️ USDA Zone 5b 🌱 319+ compatible plants

Gardening in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the βˆ’20Β°F to βˆ’10Β°F range. The 319+ plants below are proven performers for your zone β€” including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Colorado Springs

Delphinium
Delphinium
Delphinium elatum
Tall spikes of vibrant blue blossoms light up summer gardens with stunning color and elegance. This deer-resistant beauty thrives in USDA zones 3-7 and attracts pollinators while requiring moderate care.
Zone 3–7🐝 Pollinator
Swamp Milkweed
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Vibrant pink blooms light up summer gardens with a captivating display that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. This moisture-loving native thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and is a reliable pollinator magnet.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendlyβ€ πŸ Pollinator
Aster
Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Vibrant purple blooms light up late summer and fall gardens with a stunning splash of color. This hardy, pollinator-friendly perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and is low maintenance.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendlyβ€ πŸ Pollinator
Bobo Panicle Hydrangea
Bobo Panicle Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Bobo'
Showy pink and white blooms brighten summer from June to September, adding vibrant color to any garden. This low-maintenance shrub thrives in zones 4-9 and attracts pollinators while tolerating full sun to part shade.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Muscari Grape Hyacinth
Muscari Grape Hyacinth
Muscari armeniacum
Vibrant blue-purple blooms light up gardens in April-May, creating a stunning spring display. This low-maintenance bulb thrives in zones 4-9 and attracts valuable pollinators.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Mimosa Tree
Mimosa Tree
Albizia julibrissin
Delicate pink and white blooms light up summer from June to September, creating a stunning, airy display. This low-maintenance tree attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with full sun.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Smooth Hydrangea
Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is a tough, native shrub producing massive white flower heads from June through September. Extremely cold-hardy to Zone 3, it thrives in part shade and is one of the easiest hydrangeas to grow. Note: all parts of hydrangea are toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and rabbits β€” not recommended for pet-accessible gardens.
Zone 3–9🐝 Pollinator
Boltonia
Boltonia
Boltonia asteroides
Delicate daisy-like white blooms light up late summer through fall, adding graceful elegance to any garden. This deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts butterflies with ease.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendlyβ€ πŸ Pollinator
Ajuga
Ajuga
Ajuga reptans
Vibrant blue-purple blooms carpet the ground in spring, creating a stunning, low-growing display. This deer-resistant groundcover thrives in USDA zones 3-10 and attracts pollinators while requiring minimal care.
Zone 3–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendlyβ€ πŸ Pollinator
Veronicastrum
Veronicastrum
Veronicastrum virginicum
Tall spikes of airy white blooms light up summer gardens with elegant vertical interest. This deer-resistant native thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and attracts vital pollinators.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendlyβ€ πŸ Pollinator
Primrose
Primrose
Primula vulgaris
Delight in vibrant yellow blooms brightening early spring gardens with cheerful charm. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and attracts pollinators effortlessly.
Zone 4–8🐝 Pollinator
Creeping Red Fescue
Creeping Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
The shadiest lawn grass available, Creeping Red Fescue is the standard solution for lawns under trees and in north-facing areas. Forms a fine-textured, low-maintenance turf in part shade to full shade.
Zone 3–7🐾 Pet-Friendly†

Get a Personalized Plant List for Colorado Springs

Answer 4 quick questions about your yard β€” sun, soil, deer pressure, and pet situation β€” and get a custom list of plants that will thrive in Zone 5b.

Start the Plant Advisor β†’

Browse All 319+ Plants for Zone 5b

The 12 picks above are a sample. Use the full directory to filter by sun, water, deer resistance, and more.

View All Zone 5 Plants β†’

† "Pet-friendly" means not listed as toxic by ASPCA for dogs and/or cats. Always supervise pets around plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.