YardNatives

Native plants for Broomfield County, Colorado

2,770 native plants recorded in Broomfield County, Colorado

USDA has no plant records filed under Broomfield County itself, so this page uses the Colorado statewide list: 2,770 natives recorded somewhere in the state. Some will not grow wild this far into this part of the state; check a local native-plant society before buying.

By type: 1,649 wildflowers and herbs, 466 grasses and sedges, 190 shrubs, 315 low woody plants, 105 trees, 45 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 614 of them (22%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis) and 33 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Broomfield County

SpotRated to fitRated not toUnrated
Sun all day60902,161
Half shade5001092,161
Under trees3152942,161
Heavy clay3442702,156
Sandy, drains fast4142002,156
Never watered2983152,157
Stays soggy2653462,159

Sun all day in Broomfield County: 609 rated natives

225 wildflowers and herbs, 176 grasses and sedges, 72 shrubs, 72 trees, 54 low woody plants, 10 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. American alpine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Half shade in Broomfield County: 500 rated natives

178 wildflowers and herbs, 151 grasses and sedges, 61 shrubs, 60 trees, 42 low woody plants, 8 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  2. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  3. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  4. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  5. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  6. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  7. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  8. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance

Under trees in Broomfield County: 315 rated natives

102 wildflowers and herbs, 98 grasses and sedges, 44 shrubs, 40 trees, 27 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Broomfield County: 344 rated natives

133 wildflowers and herbs, 110 grasses and sedges, 38 trees, 31 shrubs, 25 low woody plants, 7 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  7. Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  8. Hooker's balsamroot (Balsamorhiza hookeri) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Broomfield County: 414 rated natives

121 wildflowers and herbs, 119 grasses and sedges, 67 shrubs, 61 trees, 38 low woody plants, 8 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  7. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Broomfield County: 298 rated natives

81 wildflowers and herbs, 79 grasses and sedges, 58 shrubs, 38 trees, 36 low woody plants, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  2. Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  3. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  4. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  5. Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  6. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  7. Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  8. Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance

Stays soggy in Broomfield County: 265 rated natives

113 wildflowers and herbs, 105 grasses and sedges, 27 trees, 9 low woody plants, 8 shrubs, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American water plantain (Alisma subcordatum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  2. Arctic pearlwort (Sagina saginoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  3. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  4. Broadleaf arnica (Arnica latifolia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  5. Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  6. Chamisso arnica (Arnica chamissonis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  7. Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  8. Fringed grass of Parnassus (Parnassia fimbriata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil

Where to start in Broomfield County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Broomfield County gives you the most rated choice (609 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 265 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 2,159 unrated natives too.