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The Colorado Springs Planting Guide: Beautiful Blooms Just in Time for Mother’s Day

If you’ve lived in Colorado Springs for a while, you’ve probably heard the old saying: “Don’t plant anything until after Mother’s Day.” That’s because our unpredictable spring weather—with surprise frosts and wild temperature swings—can be tough on tender plants.

But guess what? Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and we’ve got your go-to guide for selecting the best flowers and plants for Colorado Springs landscapes—whether you’re sprucing up your yard or giving Mom a blooming surprise!


Yes, You Can Grow Delicate Flowers in Colorado Springs!

Despite the cold winters and blazing summer sun, it is absolutely possible to grow vibrant, healthy flowers right here in the Pikes Peak region. Whether you live near Black Forest, Manitou Springs, or Banning Lewis Ranch, there are stunning options that thrive in our unique climate.



First Things First: What’s the Goal of Your Garden?

Before heading to the garden center, ask yourself:


🌱 Are You Starting Fresh or Replanting?

If this is a brand-new garden space, you’ll need to assess:

  • Soil composition

  • Sun exposure

  • Drainage conditions

If you’ve moved into a home with an existing garden, take a look for perennials—plants that return year after year. Watch for woody stems, deep roots, or underground structures like bulbs and rhizomes.


🌼 What Plants Are Already in the Area?

This is where companion planting comes in. By pairing compatible plants together, you’ll improve soil health, attract pollinators, repel pests, and even reduce weeds. For example, planting marigolds near vegetables can help keep pests away naturally.


Don’t Forget About Drainage

Poor drainage can harm even the hardiest plants. If water pools in your planting zone, consider:


How to Choose Between Annuals and Perennials

Both types of flowers have their benefits—and combining them is a smart move for a balanced garden!


🌻 Annuals

Annuals bloom for one season, offering bold color and quick results. Here are some top picks for Colorado Springs gardens:


For Full Sun:

  • Marigolds

  • Sunflowers

  • Zinnias

  • Nasturtiums

  • Cosmos

  • Alyssum

  • Morning Glory

  • Sweet Pea

  • Snapdragons

  • Verbena

  • Yarrow

  • Torch Flower

  • Black-Eyed Susan

  • Mexican Poppy

  • Dahlberg Daisy


For Shade:

  • Wax Begonia

  • Coleus

  • Impatiens

  • Madagascar Periwinkle


🌸 Perennials

Perennials return each spring and are ideal for long-term landscaping. Top picks include:

  • Penstemons & Salvias: Great for pollinators and drought-tolerant

  • Rocky Mountain Columbine: Colorado’s state flower, perfect for native gardens

  • Prairie Coneflower, Blue Flax, Russian Sage, Bellflower

  • Geranium ‘Rozanne’: Low-maintenance, long blooming

  • Bleeding Hearts, Irises, Pansies

  • Creeping Phlox, Basket of Gold: Early spring stunners

You can also plant ice plants, roses, trees, and shrubs starting in early May!


Best Companion Plant Combinations for Colorado Springs

Ready to take it up a notch? These combinations do well in Colorado’s unique conditions:

  • Salvia + Roses: Fights mildew and blackspot

  • Zinnias + Any veggie garden: Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies

  • Alliums + Lavender: Adds structure and deters pests

  • Daylilies + Daffodils: Seamless bloom progression from spring to summer

  • Yarrow + Larkspur: Pests stay away, and you get great visual contrast

  • Alyssum + Peonies: Sweet scent and soft color contrast

  • Nasturtiums + Containers: Great for patios and natural pest control

  • Pansies, Snapdragons, Violas, and Marigolds: Beautiful borders and flower beds


Local Favorites

  • Columbine + Aspen Trees

  • Blue Spruce + Penstemon

  • Sage + Coneflower

  • Yarrow + Juniper

  • Ponderosa Pine + Lupine

  • Petunia + Tulip

  • Pentas + Angelonia

  • Potato Ivy + Purple Fountain Grass


Can You Plant Flowers in a Xeriscape Yard? Yes, and They Can Be Stunning!

When people hear “xeriscape,” they often picture rocks, gravel, and cactus—and not much else. But here in Colorado Springs, xeriscaping doesn’t mean sacrificing color or beauty. In fact, a xeriscaped yard filled with flowering plants can be just as lush and vibrant as a traditional garden—while using far less water.


What Is Xeriscaping, Anyway?

Xeriscaping is a water-wise landscaping approach designed to thrive in dry climates like ours in southern Colorado. It focuses on:

  • Using drought-tolerant plants

  • Reducing or eliminating turf grass

  • Improving soil health

  • Adding mulch to retain moisture

  • Designing for efficient irrigation (or none at all)

It’s not just eco-friendly—it’s also budget-friendly and low-maintenance once it’s established.


Best Flowering Plants for Xeriscape Gardens in Colorado Springs

Looking to add color to your water-conscious yard? Here are some drought-tolerant flowers that thrive in xeriscaped landscapes:

  • Blanket Flower (Gaillardia): Bright, cheerful blooms that love the sun and dry soil

  • Coneflower (Echinacea): Hardy and pollinator-friendly, with long-lasting blooms

  • Russian Sage: Airy lavender-colored blooms with silvery foliage—perfect for structure

  • Penstemon: Native to Colorado and irresistible to hummingbirds

  • Yarrow: Fern-like foliage and flat-topped flowers in yellow, pink, or white

  • Ice Plant: Ground-hugging and covered in neon blooms from spring through fall

  • Coreopsis: Golden-yellow daisy-like flowers that bloom all season

Most of these perennials come back year after year and need minimal watering once established.


Flowering Shrubs and Groundcovers for Extra Impact

Mixing in flowering shrubs and low-growing groundcovers can bring texture and color variety. Consider:

  • Potentilla: A compact, flowering shrub that blooms all summer

  • Spirea: Drought-tolerant and available in multiple bloom colors

  • Creeping Phlox: Spreads quickly and adds vibrant pink, purple, or white blooms in spring

  • Sedum (Stonecrop): Succulent groundcover with tiny star-shaped flowers


Design Tips for a Beautiful Xeriscape Garden

  • Group plants by water needs: This makes your watering more efficient.

  • Add mulch or rock mulch: Helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool.

  • Layer your landscape: Use taller flowers and shrubs in the back and low-growing plants near the front or borders.

  • Include decorative elements: Flagstone paths, boulders, and dry stream beds can create a polished look and reduce maintenance areas.



Want a xeriscape garden that’s functional and full of flowers? Green & Growing LLC specializes in sustainable, beautiful designs that are perfect for Colorado Springs homes. Reach out today for a free consultation and let’s bring your dream yard to life—without wasting a drop.



Let’s Get Growing, Colorado Springs! 🌿

Whether you’re a gardening newbie or a seasoned green thumb, planting after Mother’s Day is a perfect tradition to follow in Colorado Springs. With a thoughtful approach to plant selection and design, your yard can be bursting with color—and purpose—all season long.

Need help planning your landscape, building raised beds, or solving drainage issues? Green & Growing is here for you! We proudly serve the Colorado Springs area with expert, eco-conscious landscaping services rooted in care for our community.

📞Contact us today to schedule your free consultation or check out more of our garden and landscaping tips on the blog.



 📱 (719) 439-4930

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