Fast-growing screening shrubs for the Colorado Front Range
Quick answer
12 plants make our list of fast-growing screening shrubs for the Colorado Front Range. Examples include Red twig / red osier dogwood, Smooth sumac, Three-leaf sumac, Black elderberry, and BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle. Each is rated for Colorado Front Range conditions and drawn from the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List and regional extension references.
Need privacy or a windbreak fast? These shrubs grow quickly and reach at least 6 feet, making them good choices for screening on the Front Range. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions.
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
Compare these shrubs at a glance
| Plant | Mature height | Water | Colorado native | Hardiness | Growth rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red twig / red osier dogwood | 6–10 ft | medium to high water | Yes | USDA 2–7 | Fast |
| Smooth sumac | 8–15 ft | low to medium water | Yes | USDA 3–9 | Fast |
| Three-leaf sumac | 4–6 ft | low water | Yes | USDA 3–9 | Fast |
| Black elderberry | 8–12 ft | medium water | — | USDA 3–8 | Fast |
| BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle | 8–12 ft | low to medium water | — | USDA 3–9 | Fast |
| Border forsythia | 6–10 ft | medium water | — | USDA 4–8 | Fast |
| Butterfly bush | 5–8 ft | low to medium water | — | USDA 5–9 | Fast |
| Common ninebark | 5–10 ft | medium water | — | USDA 2–8 | Fast |
| Elmshorn rose | 5–6 ft | medium water | — | USDA 5–9 | Fast |
| John Cabot rose | 6–10 ft | medium water | — | USDA 3–9 | Fast |
| Lord Byron rose | 6–10 ft | medium water | — | USDA 5–9 | Fast |
| Silver fountain butterfly bush | 8–12 ft | low to medium water | — | USDA 5–9 | Fast |
Ordered Colorado-native first, then alphabetically, not a quality ranking. Full list below.
All 12 plants
Red twig / red osier dogwoodCornus sericea6–10 ftmedium to high waterColorado nativeUSDA 2–7
Smooth sumacRhus glabra8–15 ftlow to medium waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–9
Three-leaf sumacRhus trilobata4–6 ftlow waterColorado nativeUSDA 3–9
Black elderberrySambucus nigra8–12 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–8
BLUE VELVET® honeysuckleLonicera korolkowii 'Floribunda'8–12 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 3–9
Border forsythiaForsythia x intermedia6–10 ftmedium waterUSDA 4–8
Butterfly bushBuddleja davidii5–8 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–9
Common ninebarkPhysocarpus opulifolius5–10 ftmedium waterUSDA 2–8
Elmshorn roseRosa 'Elmshorn'5–6 ftmedium waterUSDA 5–9
John Cabot roseRosa 'John Cabot'6–10 ftmedium waterUSDA 3–9Lord Byron roseRosa 'Lord Byron'6–10 ftmedium waterUSDA 5–9
Silver fountain butterfly bushBuddleja alternifolia8–12 ftlow to medium waterUSDA 5–9
Frequently asked questions
- How big do these shrubs get?
- Mature heights range from about 4 to 15 ft across the 12 shrubs on this list. Each plant's page lists its exact mature size and spread.
- Which of these are Colorado native?
- 3 of the 12 shrubs are Colorado natives, including Red twig / red osier dogwood, Smooth sumac, and Three-leaf sumac.
- How much water do these plants need?
- 5 of the 12 are rated low or low-to-medium water; the rest need moderate water. Each plant's page lists its water rating.
- How were these plants selected?
- Each of the 12 plants meets this page's criteria and is cross-referenced against the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List, CSU Extension, Denver Botanic Gardens, and USDA PLANTS. This is a reference guide, not a paid listing.
Related guides
- Low-water shrubs for the Colorado Front Range
- Colorado native shrubs for the Front Range
- Privacy and hedge shrubs for Colorado
- Front Range plants that are toxic to dogs
- Deer-resistant plants for the Front Range
- Salt-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
- Hail-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range