Native plants for Garfield County, Colorado
655 native plants recorded in Garfield County, Colorado
The USDA plant database has 951 plants recorded growing wild in Garfield County. 655 of them are native to the lower 48, and 49 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 374 wildflowers and herbs, 107 grasses and sedges, 46 shrubs, 88 low woody plants, 31 trees, 9 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 229 of them (35%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis), Claspleaf twistedstalk (Streptopus amplexifolius) and 14 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Garfield County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 228 | 0 | 427 |
| Half shade | 184 | 44 | 427 |
| Under trees | 95 | 133 | 427 |
| Heavy clay | 129 | 100 | 426 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 153 | 76 | 426 |
| Never watered | 112 | 117 | 426 |
| Stays soggy | 94 | 133 | 428 |
Sun all day in Garfield County: 228 rated natives
89 wildflowers and herbs, 64 grasses and sedges, 25 trees, 23 shrubs, 23 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American alpine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - 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 Garfield County: 184 rated natives
68 wildflowers and herbs, 53 grasses and sedges, 22 trees, 20 low woody plants, 18 shrubs, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 shade tolerance - Fiddleleaf hawksbeard (Crepis runcinata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Gray aster (Eurybia glauca) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Garfield County: 95 rated natives
29 wildflowers and herbs, 29 grasses and sedges, 14 trees, 11 low woody plants, 11 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - 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 - Fiddleleaf hawksbeard (Crepis runcinata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Gray aster (Eurybia glauca) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Garfield County: 129 rated natives
52 wildflowers and herbs, 43 grasses and sedges, 12 low woody plants, 11 trees, 8 shrubs, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - 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 - Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Longstalk starwort (Stellaria longipes) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Modoc hawksbeard (Crepis modocensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Garfield County: 153 rated natives
52 wildflowers and herbs, 39 grasses and sedges, 22 trees, 20 shrubs, 17 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Drummond's rockcress (Arabis drummondii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - 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
Never watered in Garfield County: 112 rated natives
30 wildflowers and herbs, 29 grasses and sedges, 19 shrubs, 16 low woody plants, 16 trees, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Old man's whiskers (Geum triflorum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Oneflower helianthella (Helianthella uniflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Garfield County: 94 rated natives
45 wildflowers and herbs, 36 grasses and sedges, 9 trees, 2 low woody plants, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - Heartleaf bittercress (Cardamine cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Small white violet (Viola macloskeyi) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Garfield County has that most of Colorado does not
25 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of Colorado's 63 counties. A few of them:
- Southwestern cryptantha (Cryptantha mensana): only here
- Arapien blazingstar (Mentzelia argillosa): only here
- Asian forget-me-not (Myosotis asiatica): only here
- Parachute beardtongue (Penstemon debilis): only here
- Northern bluegrass (Poa stenantha): only here
- Ferron's milkvetch (Astragalus musiniensis): 2 counties
- Martin's ceanothus (Ceanothus martinii): 2 counties
- Barneby's thistle (Cirsium barnebyi): 2 counties
- Oil shale fescue (Festuca dasyclada): 2 counties
- Deceptive groundsmoke (Gayophytum decipiens): 2 counties
Where to start in Garfield County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Garfield County gives you the most rated choice (228 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 94 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 428 unrated natives too.