Native plants for Lake County, Colorado
357 native plants recorded in Lake County, Colorado
The USDA plant database has 508 plants recorded growing wild in Lake County. 357 of them are native to the lower 48, and 6 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 213 wildflowers and herbs, 65 grasses and sedges, 21 shrubs, 47 low woody plants, 10 trees, 1 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 107 of them (30%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and 3 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Lake County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 106 | 0 | 251 |
| Half shade | 83 | 23 | 251 |
| Under trees | 39 | 67 | 251 |
| Heavy clay | 57 | 50 | 250 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 72 | 35 | 250 |
| Never watered | 44 | 63 | 250 |
| Stays soggy | 43 | 63 | 251 |
Sun all day in Lake County: 106 rated natives
44 wildflowers and herbs, 24 grasses and sedges, 15 shrubs, 14 low woody plants, 9 trees. 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 - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 - Eightpetal mountain-avens (Dryas octopetala) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · rapid 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 - Fiddleleaf hawksbeard (Crepis runcinata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Lake County: 83 rated natives
34 wildflowers and herbs, 19 grasses and sedges, 12 low woody plants, 10 shrubs, 8 trees. 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 - 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 - 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 goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 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
Under trees in Lake County: 39 rated natives
12 wildflowers and herbs, 9 low woody plants, 8 grasses and sedges, 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 bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 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
Heavy clay in Lake County: 57 rated natives
22 wildflowers and herbs, 15 grasses and sedges, 9 low woody plants, 6 shrubs, 5 trees. 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 - Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid 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 - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Pale agoseris (Agoseris glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
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 - Silverweed cinquefoil (Argentina anserina) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Lake County: 72 rated natives
26 wildflowers and herbs, 14 shrubs, 14 grasses and sedges, 10 low woody plants, 8 trees. 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 - Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Eightpetal mountain-avens (Dryas octopetala) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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
Never watered in Lake County: 44 rated natives
12 wildflowers and herbs, 10 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 9 grasses and sedges, 4 trees. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Tufted evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Russet buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 - Eightpetal mountain-avens (Dryas octopetala) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Lake County: 43 rated natives
24 wildflowers and herbs, 12 grasses and sedges, 3 low woody plants, 3 shrubs, 1 trees. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - Western polemonium (Polemonium occidentale) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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
Natives Lake 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:
- Narrowleaf grapefern (Botrychium lineare): 3 counties
- Sartwell's sedge (Carex sartwellii): 3 counties
- Beavertip draba (Draba globosa): 3 counties
- Wind River draba (Draba ventosa): 3 counties
- Hoosier Pass ipomopsis (Ipomopsis globularis): 3 counties
Where to start in Lake County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Lake County gives you the most rated choice (106 plants), and Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 39 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 251 unrated natives too.