Colorado
Native plants in Denver
98 plants native to this area with Sow catalog pages.
10 of them need no watering beyond Denver’s own rainfall
Yard rebates in Denver
4 programs from the city, the county or local utilities pay residents for yard projects, plus 2 statewide. 2 ask for a plan or plant list before they approve a project.
- Seasonal
Denver Water Garden In A Box Discount
Denver Water with Resource Central
$25 off each kit (limited number of discounts)
Up to $25 per household
- Seasonal
Resource Central Slow the Flow Sprinkler Evaluation and Smart Controller
Resource Central
Free evaluation (about 75 minutes); smart controller or rain sensor install at little to no cost
- PausedPlan required
Denver Water Turf Removal Discount
Denver Water with Resource Central
Up to $750 discount, first-come first-served
Up to $750 per household
Showing 98 plants
Trees14
Canopy and structure
Shrubs22
Backbone planting
Grasses13
Movement and texture
Perennials54
Seasonal colour
Vines2
Verticals and screens
Ferns1
Shade and damp
Succulents1
Dry and architectural
When to plant in Denver
The median last spring frost is May 5 and the median first fall frost is Oct 9 at the Denver weather station (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, USDA Zone 6a). Each crop’s guide explains the rule behind its dates.
- Broccoli
Spring transplant: Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall transplant: Jul 1 – Jul 31
- Cabbage
Spring transplant: Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall transplant: Jun 26 – Jul 26
- Carrots
Spring sowing: Apr 14 – May 12
Fall crop sowing: Jul 3 – Jul 31
- Corn
First sowing: May 5 – May 26
Last sowing (early variety): Early July
- Cucumbers
Direct sow or transplant: May 26 – Jun 23
Last sowing for fall harvest: Jul 6 – Jul 11
- Daffodil bulbs
Plant bulbs: Sep – Oct (late Sep best)
- Garlic
Plant cloves (Zones 3–5): See Zones 6–10 column
Plant cloves (Zones 6–10): Sep 4 – Oct 16
- Grass seed
Cool-season grass (best): Mid-Aug – mid-Sep
Warm-season grass: Apr – Jul (buffalograss)
- Green beans
Direct sow: May 19 – Jun 9
Last sowing for fall harvest: Jul 1 – Jul 21
- Hydrangeas
Spring planting: May 5 – Jun 16
Fall planting: Aug 23 – Oct 4
- Lettuce
Spring sowing: Apr 7 – Jun 2
Fall sowing: Jul 17 – Aug 14
- Onions
Late winter or spring planting: Apr 7 – May 19
Fall planting (short-day types): Not recommended
- Peas
Direct sow: Apr 7 – May 5
Fall sowing: Jul 17 – Aug 7
- Potatoes
Plant seed potatoes: Apr 14 – May 5
Fall crop (optional): Spring crop only
- Pumpkins
Direct sow: May 26 – Jun 16
Sow for Halloween: Late May to mid-June
- Radishes
Spring sowing: Apr 14 – May 19
Fall sowing: Jul 31 – Aug 28
- Roses
Bare-root roses: Early to mid-Apr
Container roses: May 5 – Jul 19
- Strawberries
Plant dormant crowns (spring): Apr 7 – May 5
Plant plugs (fall): Not advised; plant in spring
- Sweet potatoes
Plant slips outdoors: Jun 9 – Jun 30
- Tomatoes
Frost-safe window: May 19 – Jun 9
- Tulip bulbs
Plant bulbs: Sep – Oct (late Sep best)
Plant pre-chilled bulbs: Not needed (winter chills bulbs)
- Watermelon
Start planting (soil 65°F): May 26 – Jun 2
Last sowing (early varieties): Jun 3 – Jun 10
- Wildflower seeds
Fall sowing window: Oct 18 – Nov 22
What sets the date: First hard freeze
- Zucchini
Direct sow or transplant: May 26 – Jun 16
Last sowing for fall harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 11
More of Colorado
- Castle Rock
- Boulder
- Arvada
- Lakewood
- Highlands Ranch
- Westminster
- Centennial
- Colorado Springs
- Lafayette
- Broomfield
- Thornton
- Fort Collins
Design a Denver garden with these plants
Snap a photo of your yard and Sow places real, zone-matched plants into it — then keeps the watering and care schedule for everything you plant.