Best plants for Colorado Springs gardens
Colorado Springs gardens sit high — about 6,035 ft — in USDA zone 5b–6a, on soils that swing from rocky decomposed granite to alkaline clay, with a last frost in mid-May. The signature challenge is hail: the Springs anchors the Palmer Divide, the most hail-prone corridor in North America, so the plants below favor hail-resilient, low-water species.
Last updated 2026-05-30
Colorado Springs growing conditions
- USDA hardiness zone
- 5b–6a (urban heat-island pockets behave like 6a)
- Elevation
- 6,035 ft
- Avg. annual precipitation
- ~16–17 in
- Soil
- rocky decomposed granite on the west side; alkaline clay on the east side
- Avg. last spring frost
- mid-May
- Avg. first fall frost
- ~October 5
- Growing season
- ~145 days
At ~6,035 ft Colorado Springs is one of the highest and sunniest Front Range cities, and it sits at the heart of the Palmer Divide — the most hail-prone corridor in North America. West-side gardens near Garden of the Gods battle rocky, fast-draining decomposed granite; east-side neighborhoods like Stetson Hills sit on heavy alkaline clay that needs amendment.
What's challenging in Colorado Springs
You're in Hail Alley
Colorado Springs and the Palmer Divide record the highest large-hail frequency in North America — the Front Range averages several catastrophic hail storms a year, and insurers commonly write 2–5% hail deductibles here. Tough, flexible, fast-recovering plants fare best; the trees below are filtered to high hail tolerance. (source)
Wildfire-wise planting near the foothills
Foothill and Black Forest-adjacent neighborhoods sit in the wildland-urban interface (the 2013 Black Forest Fire destroyed 486 homes nearby). In the defensible-space zone closest to the house, choose low-resin, well-irrigated, fire-resistant plants and keep them maintained. (source)
Top trees for Colorado Springs
Ranked for Colorado Springs's hail, wildfire-wise placement, drying wind, low water use and late frosts and cold.
Honeylocust — Thornless Common – IMPERIAL®, SHADEMASTER®, SKYLINE®Gleditsia triacanthos- Honeylocust — Thornless Common – NORTHERN ACCLAIM®Gleditsia triacanthos
Coffeetree — Kentucky CoffeetreeGymnocladus dioicus- Coffeetree — Kentucky Coffeetree – ESPRESSO®, DECAF®, SKINNY LATTE™, PRAIRIE TITAN™Gymnocladus dioicus
Larch — European LarchLarix decidua
Top shrubs for Colorado Springs
Ranked for Colorado Springs's hail, wildfire-wise placement, drying wind, low water use and late frosts and cold.
Top perennials for Colorado Springs
Ranked for Colorado Springs's hail, wildfire-wise placement, drying wind, low water use and late frosts and cold.
Top groundcover for Colorado Springs
Ranked for Colorado Springs's hail, wildfire-wise placement, drying wind, low water use and late frosts and cold.
Blue grama grassBouteloua gracilis
Buffalo grassBouteloua dactyloides
Mat penstemonPenstemon caespitosus
Small-leaf pussytoesAntennaria parvifolia
Sulfur buckwheatEriogonum umbellatum
Clustered field sedgeCarex praegracilis
Aromatic asterSymphyotrichum oblongifolium
Kinnikinnick / bearberryArctostaphylos uva-ursi
Rebates & water rules in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Utilities residential customers
New-construction CSU customers
Watering rules: CSU “Water Wise Rules” (May 1–Oct 15): no sprinkler watering 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; up to 3 days/week; drip and handheld hoses allowed any time. 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 Colorado Springs
- Demonstration garden
Horticultural Art Society Demonstration Garden — Volunteer-run display garden in Monument Valley Park with Plant Select and All-America Selections beds; free. - Demonstration garden
Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Demonstration Garden (Mesa) — 500+ labeled varieties showing the seven xeriscape principles; always open, free. - Extension
CSU Extension — El Paso County Master Gardeners — Native plant demonstration garden and a Master Gardener help desk. - Nursery
Phelan Gardens — Local garden center (since 1981) with a strong native and regional selection.
When to plant in Colorado Springs
Plant in spring (after mid-May) or early September. At 6,000+ ft the season is short and sun is intense — mulch well and water deeply but infrequently. Expect hail May–August; site fragile plants where they get some overhead protection. On the Palmer Divide, hold tender crops until the soil genuinely warms; a late frost is common here.
Video
Colorado Springs gardening FAQ
- What hardiness zone is Colorado Springs?
- Colorado Springs is USDA zone 5b–6a; warmer urban pockets behave like 6a, higher/exposed areas like 5b.
- What plants survive hail in Colorado Springs?
- Tough, flexible, fast-recovering plants do best in the Palmer Divide hail corridor; the trees listed here are filtered to high hail tolerance, and perennials/grasses generally recover from hail faster than broad-leaved tender plants.
- Is there a turf rebate in Colorado Springs?
- Colorado Springs Utilities runs a Native Grass Lawn Program (free seed + nozzles), but 2026 registration is closed/full — it fills fast, so register early for the next cycle. A New Home Landscape Incentive ($1/sq ft) is available for new construction. Verify current status with CSU.
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