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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Colorado Springs, Colorado

📍 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 −20°F to −10°F range. The 319+ 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

Lets Dance Can Do Bigleaf Hydrangea
Lets Dance Can Do Bigleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lets Dance Can Do'
Bright pink and white blooms dazzle from June to September, adding vibrant color to your garden through summer. This low-maintenance shrub attracts pollinators and thrives in USDA zones 4-9 with sun to part shade.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Anemone
Anemone
Anemone spp.
Delicate pink and white blooms grace the garden from June to September, adding vibrant color through summer and early fall. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in zones 4-9, attracts pollinators, and tolerates full sun to part shade.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
Iris
Iris
Iris germanica
Striking blooms in vibrant purple, blue, or white grace late spring gardens with their intricate patterns and sword-like foliage. This low-maintenance iris thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts pollinators while resisting deer damage.
Zone 3–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Bur Oak
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Massive, rugged leaves and striking acorn cups make Bur Oak a standout in fall with golden hues. This drought-tolerant giant thrives in USDA zones 2-8 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Armeria Sea Thrift
Armeria Sea Thrift
Armeria maritima
Delight in vibrant pink blooms that carpet gardens from spring to early summer, adding cheerful color to any landscape. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and attracts beneficial pollinators.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Red Oak
Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Majestic red oaks boast stunning red foliage in fall, creating vibrant seasonal color from summer through autumn. This hardy tree thrives in USDA zones 3-8 and is deer resistant with low maintenance needs.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
June Hosta
June Hosta
Hosta 'June'
Lush, variegated leaves with creamy yellow centers brighten shady gardens from spring to summer. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 3–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Wild Lupine
Wild Lupine
Lupinus perennis
Vibrant blue-purple blooms light up spring gardens with a splash of color that attracts butterflies and bees. Thrives in USDA zones 3-8, this low-maintenance native is drought-tolerant and deer resistant.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
Flowering Dogwood
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Showy white blossoms bloom in spring, creating a stunning display that brightens any landscape. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 5–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
Paperbark Maple
Paperbark Maple
Acer griseum
Striking cinnamon-red bark peels beautifully year-round, adding vibrant winter interest and rich autumn foliage. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and is deer resistant.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
Fine Fescue
Fine Fescue
Festuca rubra
The best lawn grass for shade and poor soil. Fine, delicate texture with excellent drought tolerance. Ideal for low-maintenance lawns under trees.
Zone 3–7🐾 Pet-Friendly†
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-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator

Get a Personalized Plant List for Colorado Springs

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Other Cities in Zone 5b

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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 →

† "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.