Native plants for Grand County, Colorado

782 native plants recorded in Grand County, Colorado

The USDA plant database has 1,134 plants recorded growing wild in Grand County. 782 of them are native to the lower 48, and 43 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 454 wildflowers and herbs, 161 grasses and sedges, 46 shrubs, 84 low woody plants, 31 trees, 6 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 262 of them (34%), 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 Grand County

Sun all day in Grand County: 260 rated natives

102 wildflowers and herbs, 73 grasses and sedges, 29 shrubs, 28 low woody plants, 26 trees, 2 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 alpine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Ballhead waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Half shade in Grand County: 206 rated natives

79 wildflowers and herbs, 61 grasses and sedges, 22 trees, 21 low woody plants, 21 shrubs, 2 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. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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

Under trees in Grand County: 117 rated natives

40 wildflowers and herbs, 34 grasses and sedges, 14 low woody plants, 14 shrubs, 14 trees, 1 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. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. 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
8. Fiddleleaf hawksbeard (Crepis runcinata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Grand County: 146 rated natives

57 wildflowers and herbs, 51 grasses and sedges, 13 trees, 12 low woody plants, 12 shrubs, 1 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. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. 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
4. Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium idahoense) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Longstalk clover (Trifolium longipes) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. Longstalk starwort (Stellaria longipes) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Grand County: 171 rated natives

55 wildflowers and herbs, 42 grasses and sedges, 27 shrubs, 23 low woody plants, 22 trees, 2 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. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Drummond's rockcress (Arabis drummondii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. 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 Grand County: 113 rated natives

31 wildflowers and herbs, 27 grasses and sedges, 21 shrubs, 20 low woody plants, 13 trees, 1 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. 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
4. 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
5. Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
6. 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
7. 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
8. Plains pricklypear (Opuntia polyacantha) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance

Stays soggy in Grand County: 117 rated natives

51 wildflowers and herbs, 47 grasses and sedges, 9 trees, 5 low woody plants, 4 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. Hooded lady's tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
8. Marsh grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil

Natives Grand County has that most of Colorado does not

24 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of Colorado's 63 counties. A few of them:

• Kremmling milkvetch (Astragalus osterhoutii): only here
• Penland's beardtongue (Penstemon penlandii): only here
• Gina's phacelia (Phacelia gina-glenneae): only here
• Sticky currant (Ribes viscosissimum): 2 counties
• Western inflated sedge (Carex exsiccata): 2 counties
• Spreading woodfern (Dryopteris expansa): 2 counties
• Prostrate hutchinsia (Hornungia procumbens): 2 counties
• Threeleaf lewisia (Lewisia triphylla): 2 counties
• Nuttall's biscuitroot (Lomatium nuttallii): 2 counties
• Skullcap speedwell (Veronica scutellata): 2 counties

Where to start in Grand County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Grand County gives you the most rated choice (260 plants), and Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 113 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 520 unrated natives too.