Native plants for Hinsdale County, Colorado
242 native plants recorded in Hinsdale County, Colorado
The USDA plant database has 335 plants recorded growing wild in Hinsdale County. 242 of them are native to the lower 48, and 1 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 147 wildflowers and herbs, 47 grasses and sedges, 8 shrubs, 34 low woody plants, 6 trees. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 61 of them (25%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and 2 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Hinsdale County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 60 | 0 | 182 |
| Half shade | 50 | 10 | 182 |
| Under trees | 26 | 34 | 182 |
| Heavy clay | 31 | 30 | 181 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 44 | 17 | 181 |
| Never watered | 23 | 38 | 181 |
| Stays soggy | 24 | 36 | 182 |
Sun all day in Hinsdale County: 60 rated natives
24 wildflowers and herbs, 18 grasses and sedges, 8 low woody plants, 6 trees, 4 shrubs. 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 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 - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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 - Elephanthead lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Mountain pepperweed (Lepidium montanum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Half shade in Hinsdale County: 50 rated natives
19 wildflowers and herbs, 16 grasses and sedges, 8 low woody plants, 4 trees, 3 shrubs. 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 - 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 - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Rockspirea (Holodiscus dumosus) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Showy locoweed (Oxytropis splendens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Threetooth ragwort (Packera tridenticulata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Utah sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale) 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 Hinsdale County: 26 rated natives
8 wildflowers and herbs, 8 grasses and sedges, 5 low woody plants, 3 trees, 2 shrubs. 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 - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Rockspirea (Holodiscus dumosus) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Showy locoweed (Oxytropis splendens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Threetooth ragwort (Packera tridenticulata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Utah sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Hinsdale County: 31 rated natives
11 wildflowers and herbs, 10 grasses and sedges, 5 low woody plants, 4 trees, 1 shrubs. 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 - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Mountain pepperweed (Lepidium montanum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Threetooth ragwort (Packera tridenticulata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Utah sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Varileaf cinquefoil (Potentilla diversifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Hinsdale County: 44 rated natives
19 wildflowers and herbs, 10 grasses and sedges, 6 low woody plants, 5 trees, 4 shrubs. 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 - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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 - Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Mountain pepperweed (Lepidium montanum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Pacific anemone (Anemone multifida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Hinsdale County: 23 rated natives
6 wildflowers and herbs, 6 grasses and sedges, 5 low woody plants, 4 trees, 2 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 - Rockspirea (Holodiscus dumosus) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Utah sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Mountain pepperweed (Lepidium montanum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Threetooth ragwort (Packera tridenticulata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Hinsdale County: 24 rated natives
12 wildflowers and herbs, 7 grasses and sedges, 2 low woody plants, 2 trees, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Arrowleaf ragwort (Senecio triangularis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Elephanthead lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Tall fringed bluebells (Mertensia ciliata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Threetooth ragwort (Packera tridenticulata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Varileaf cinquefoil (Potentilla diversifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Natives Hinsdale County has that most of Colorado does not
5 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of Colorado's 63 counties. A few of them:
- Stonecrop gilia (Aliciella sedifolia): only here
- Weber's cryptantha (Cryptantha weberi): 3 counties
- Rocky Mountain draba (Draba graminea): 3 counties
- Arctic alpine fleabane (Erigeron humilis): 3 counties
- Intermountain rubberweed (Hymenoxys helenioides): 3 counties
Where to start in Hinsdale County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Hinsdale County gives you the most rated choice (60 plants), and Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 23 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 181 unrated natives too.