Best plants for Greeley gardens
Greeley gardens sit out on the Weld County plains at about 4,660 ft in USDA zone 5a–5b — the driest and most continental of these cities, with hot summers, open-plains wind, and cold winters. The plants below are chosen for hardiness, wind tolerance, and low water, and Greeley pays a turf-replacement rebate to help you convert.
Last updated 2026-05-31
Greeley growing conditions
- USDA hardiness zone
- 5a–5b
- Elevation
- 4,658 ft
- Avg. annual precipitation
- ~13–15 in
- Soil
- heavy alkaline clay; semi-arid plains
- Avg. last spring frost
- ~May 4
- Avg. first fall frost
- ~October 4
- Growing season
- ~150 days
Greeley is the lowest and most continental of these cities, out on the semi-arid Weld County plains at about 4,660 ft. It's drier (~13–15 in), hotter in summer, and more exposed to open-plains wind, with colder zone 5a winters than the foothills towns. Choose genuinely cold-hardy, heat- and wind-tolerant plants.
What's challenging in Greeley
Cold, dry, continental plains
Greeley's zone 5a–5b winters are colder than the foothills towns, and with only ~13–15 inches of precipitation and hot, windy summers, plants face real swings. Favor cold-hardy natives and proven water-wise species over marginal selections. (source)
Emerald ash borer: not yet confirmed, but diversify
EAB has not been confirmed in Weld County as of this writing, but it is established in neighboring counties and spreading. As a precaution, diversify away from ash (genus Fraxinus) in new plantings and report suspect ash decline to the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture. (Verify current Weld County status with CSU Extension.) (source)
Top trees for Greeley
Ranked for Greeley's late frosts and cold, drying wind, hail and low water use.
Juniper — One – SeedJuniperus monosperma
Juniper — Rocky MountainJuniperus scopulorum
Pine — 'Vanderwolf's Pyramid'Pinus flexilis
Pine — Bristlecone(foxtail)Pinus aristata
Douglas-fir — Rocky Mountain Douglas firPseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca
Fir — WhiteAbies concolor
Spruce — ColoradoPicea pungens
Spruce — Colorado Blue – BABY BLUE®, 'Baby Blue Eyes', 'Bakeri', 'Fastigiata', 'Fat Albert', 'Hoopsi', 'Colorado Weeping', 'Sester Dwarf'Picea pungens glauca
Top shrubs for Greeley
Ranked for Greeley's late frosts and cold, drying wind, hail and low water use.
Top perennials for Greeley
Ranked for Greeley's late frosts and cold, drying wind, hail and low water use.
Top groundcover for Greeley
Ranked for Greeley's late frosts and cold, drying wind, hail and low water use.
Rebates & water rules in Greeley
Greeley Water customers; landscape plan must be pre-approved and meet city code. Confirm current 2026 funding/availability with Greeley Water.
Watering rules: New landscaping must meet Greeley's landscape code; watering guidance follows the Front Range norm (avoid mid-day). Check Greeley Water for the current level. 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 Greeley
- Extension
Weld County Colorado Master Gardeners — CSU-trained volunteers offering pest/disease diagnosis and landscape help. - Native plant society
Colorado Native Plant Society — Northern Chapter — Covers the Greeley area; native-plant programs and sales.
When to plant in Greeley
Plant in spring (early-to-mid May) or early fall. On the windy, dry plains, mulch well, water deeply to establish, and choose hardy, low-water species. Out on the dry Weld County plains, Greeley's wind and wide temperature swings reward tough, established water-wise plants.
Video
📺 PlantTalk Colorado: planting & xeriscape videos (CSU Extension)
Greeley gardening FAQ
- What hardiness zone is Greeley?
- Greeley is USDA zone 5a–5b at about 4,660 ft — colder winters than the foothills towns, on the dry plains.
- When is the last frost in Greeley?
- The average last spring frost is around May 4; wait for warm soil before planting tender annuals.
- Does Greeley have a turf rebate?
- Yes — Greeley's Life After Lawn program pays homeowners $1/sq ft (min 500 sq ft, up to $3,000) to replace turf with water-wise landscaping, on a reimbursement basis with a pre-approved plan. Confirm current 2026 funding with Greeley Water.
Find plants & a pro near Greeley
Other Front Range city guides
Boulder Colorado Springs Castle Rock Fort Collins Denver Aurora Longmont Loveland All cities →
Or browse by need: low-water trees · native trees · xeric groundcover