Despite their growing popularity, some native plants can be tricky to find at many garden centers. Here are different places to buy native plants in Colorado.
Plant sales at local botanic gardens
These events are often held at local botanic gardens in the late spring. I’ve had good luck finding native plants that have been difficult to source in garden centers and plant nurseries. Not every botanic garden offers plant sales, but many do.
Native plant sales and swaps with local non-profits
There are a variety of non-profits in Colorado that offer native plant sales, seed swaps and native plant swaps. If you’re new to a seed or plant swap, think of it like a cookie exchange. You bring plants or seeds to share, and you return home with new additions for your own garden. Often times, you don’t even have to take plants or seeds to share. (Though, it’s appreciated if you do!)
Here are just a few examples:
- The High Plains Environmental Center in Loveland, Colorado sells native plants during the spring and summer. They’re also a lovely place to visit for native plant inspiration.
- Colorado Native Plant Society typically has a native plant sale in the spring and in the fall.
- Wild Ones Front Range offers native plant swaps at different times of the season.
Local, independent garden centers
There are local, independent garden centers that carry native plants and/or seeds. The Rocky Mountain Audubon Society has compiled a list of some standout garden centers in Colorado for native plants (as well as native plant seed companies). On your next visit to your favorite independent garden center, ask about their selection of native plants.
Tip: Native plants often don’t look as showy at the garden center as other flower plants. Don’t let that deter you! Plant Select has put together a quick video with a few helpful buying tips for native plants.
Native seed companies
Native seed companies can be a good place to look for native plants, especially native grasses and plants you can’t find elsewhere. Seeds also can be a cost-effective way to buy plants.
Online retailers
You can find online retailers that sell native plants—for example, High Country Gardens, Prairie Moon Nursery and Prairie Nursery. Worth noting, online retailers are located across the country, and they sell plants to people in different regions. With that in mind, look for plants that are native to our region of the country. And be sure to read the description of the plants to make sure they fit our growing conditions.
Here’s just one reason why: Many plants that are native to places like the upper Midwest and East Coast need a lot more water than we get in Colorado and the semi-arid West.
Gardens in a Box from Resource Central
Resource Central is a Front Range non-profit that offers Gardens in a Box—pre-planned flower gardens that are well adapted for Colorado. The majority of their plants are native plants. Gardens in a Box go on sale mid-winter and mid-summer for pick up in the late spring and early fall.
Related topics that my interest you:
- Why bees and butterflies are like puppies and kittens
- Creating a native pollinator garden in Colorado (a local case study)
- 5 western garden trends to inspire your garden
