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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Colorado Springs, Colorado

📍 Colorado Springs, CO 🌡️ USDA Zone 5b 🌱 318+ 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 −20°F to −10°F range. The 318+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Colorado Springs

Chewings Fescue
Chewings Fescue
Festuca rubra subsp. commutata
Chewings Fescue is a fine-bladed, shade-tolerant cool-season grass commonly used in no-mow and low-maintenance lawn mixes. Forms a dense, attractive turf in part shade with minimal inputs.
Zone 3–7🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Crocosmia
Crocosmia
Crocosmia 'Lucifer'
Fiery red blooms burst from arching stems in summer, creating a vibrant, eye-catching display. This deer-resistant perennial thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Allium Purple Sensation
Allium Purple Sensation
Allium aflatunense
Vibrant, globe-shaped purple blooms burst in late spring, creating stunning garden focal points. Deer resistant and hardy in USDA zones 4-8, it attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Sneezeweed
Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Vibrant golden-yellow blooms light up late summer to fall, adding warm color to any garden. Deer resistant and thriving in USDA zones 3-9, it attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Columbine
Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Delicate red and yellow blooms brighten spring and early summer with a whimsical, nodding shape. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts hummingbirds while resisting deer.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Gatsby Gal Oakleaf Hydrangea
Gatsby Gal Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Gatsby Gal'
Showcasing stunning pink and white blooms from June to September, this Oakleaf Hydrangea adds vibrant color and texture to your garden. Low-maintenance and deer resistant, it attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Blanket Flower
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia aristata
Vibrant red and yellow blooms light up gardens from early summer to fall, creating a stunning, long-lasting display. This drought-tolerant, deer-resistant beauty thrives in USDA zones 3-10 and attracts pollinators with ease.
Zone 3–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Jane Magnolia
Jane Magnolia
Magnolia x 'Jane'
Showcasing stunning pink and white blooms from June to September, this tree brightens any garden with its long-lasting floral display. Thriving in USDA zones 4-9, it attracts pollinators while being low maintenance and pet-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart
Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Delicate pink and white heart-shaped blooms grace spring gardens with romantic charm. This shade-loving perennial attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 3-9.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Muhly Grass
Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Delicate pink-purple blooms create a stunning airy cloud in fall, adding vibrant seasonal interest. This drought-tolerant grass thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and requires minimal care.
Zone 5–10🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Pennisetum Fountain Grass
Pennisetum Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Graceful plumes of pink and white bloom from June to September, adding elegant movement and color to any garden. This low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly grass thrives in full sun across USDA zones 4-9.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Montmorency Cherry Tree
Montmorency Cherry Tree
Prunus cerasus 'Montmorency'
Bright red Montmorency cherries burst into vibrant fruit in summer, adding color and flavor to your garden. This hardy tree thrives in USDA zones 4-7 and attracts pollinators while offering low-maintenance care.
Zone 4–7🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

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Other Cities in Zone 5b

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Browse All 318+ Plants for Zone 5b

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

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† "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.