Best plants for Aurora gardens
Aurora gardens sit at about 5,470 ft in USDA zone 5b–6a on alkaline clay, on the windy, hail-prone eastern edge of the metro, with a last frost in mid-May. With a 2026 Stage 1 drought (and a ban on new cool-season turf), the smart move is water-wise — and Aurora Water pays generously to help, so the plants below are low-water, hail- and wind-tough.
Last updated 2026-05-31
Aurora growing conditions
- USDA hardiness zone
- 5b–6a
- Elevation
- 5,471 ft
- Avg. annual precipitation
- ~14–15 in
- Soil
- alkaline clay; eastern plains edge
- Avg. last spring frost
- mid-May
- Avg. first fall frost
- early-to-mid October
- Growing season
- ~150 days
Aurora spreads east onto the open plains, so its eastern and southern neighborhoods catch more wind and hail and run a touch colder than Denver's core. Soils are alkaline clay. Aurora was the first Colorado city to ban cool-season turf in new construction, and it offers one of the metro's strongest lawn-replacement rebates.
What's challenging in Aurora
Stage 1 drought — and no new bluegrass
Aurora declared a Stage 1 drought in 2026: outdoor watering is limited to two days a week (never 10 a.m.–6 p.m.), violations start at $250, and installing new cool-season turf is banned until restrictions lift. Existing lawns can be maintained — but new plantings should be water-wise. (source)
Emerald ash borer confirmed
EAB was confirmed in Aurora in 2025. Don't plant new ash (genus Fraxinus); consult a certified arborist about any existing ash. The trees below are diverse non-ash species. (source)
Top trees for Aurora
Ranked for Aurora's hail, drying wind and low water use.
Juniper — One – SeedJuniperus monosperma
Juniper — Rocky MountainJuniperus scopulorum
Cypress — Arizona CypressHesperocyparis arizonica- Cypress — Arizona Cypress 'Blue Ice', CRYSTAL FROST™Hesperocyparis arizonica
Pine — Singleleaf PinyonPinus monophylla
Pine — 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'Pinus flexilis
Honeylocust — Thornless Common – IMPERIAL®, SHADEMASTER®, SKYLINE®Gleditsia triacanthos- Honeylocust — Thornless Common – NORTHERN ACCLAIM®Gleditsia triacanthos
Top shrubs for Aurora
Ranked for Aurora's hail, drying wind and low water use.
Top perennials for Aurora
Ranked for Aurora's hail, drying wind and low water use.
Top groundcover for Aurora
Ranked for Aurora's hail, drying wind and low water use.
Rebates & water rules in Aurora
Aurora Water customers; must remove ≥500 sq ft of healthy, irrigated turf; pre-approval required (not retroactive); rebates >$600 need a W-9.
All Aurora Water customers
Watering rules: 2026 Stage 1 drought: outdoor watering 2 days/week, never 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; new cool-season turf installation banned; fines from $250. current rules →
Statewide: new Colorado turf rules (SB24-005/HB25-1113) limit nonfunctional turf in new development, and HOAs can't ban xeriscaping (SB23-178). Read the statewide rules →
Local resources near Aurora
- Extension
CSU Extension — Arapahoe County Master Gardeners — Master Gardener help desk and demonstration gardens serving Aurora and the south metro. - Utility program
Aurora Water — water-wise landscaping — Rebate details, plant lists, and a free landscape-design service.
When to plant in Aurora
Plant in spring after mid-May or in early fall. Site fragile plants out of the worst wind/hail exposure on the east side, amend the clay, and water deeply but within the 2-day schedule. On Aurora's open eastern plains, wind and hail reward hardy, well-spaced plantings.
Video
📺 PlantTalk Colorado: xeriscape & planting videos (CSU Extension)
Aurora gardening FAQ
- What hardiness zone is Aurora?
- Aurora is USDA zone 5b–6a; eastern/exposed areas run cooler and windier than Denver's core.
- Does Aurora pay a lawn-replacement rebate?
- Yes — Aurora Water's GRIP pays $3/sq ft to replace ≥500 sq ft of irrigated turf with water-wise landscape ($0.50/sq ft for water-wise grass). Pre-approval is required before you start. It's one of the metro's most generous; confirm current terms with Aurora Water.
- Can I install a new bluegrass lawn in Aurora?
- New cool-season turf in new construction is banned, and under the 2026 Stage 1 drought new cool-season turf installation is paused. Choose water-wise grasses or plantings instead.
Find plants & a pro near Aurora
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