25+ High Altitude Plants for Colorado, Utah and Western Landscapes
Looking for high altitude plants for Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and similar mountainous states?
We turned to Mike Kintgen, the curator of alpine collections at Denver Botanic Gardens, for some of the best high altitude plants from Plant Select, including perennials, vines, shrubs and trees. Mike has tested and successfully grown all the plants below at 8,150 feet in northwest Colorado near Steamboat Springs. These plants may be able to be grown at even higher elevations. (They just haven’t been tested at those heights yet.)
Plant Select is a nonprofit collaboration between Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado State University and professional horticulturists across the West. We continue to expand our mountain plant trials, so we can offer more high-performing and beautiful plants for mountain gardeners.
Keep in mind, there are many factors that can influence whether a high altitude plant successfully returns or not. For high altitude gardening tips, check out this Mountain Gardening Basics fact sheet from the Colorado State University Extension.
High altitude perennials for Colorado, Utah & similar western states
ORANGE CARPET® hummingbird trumpet
Epilobium canum subsp. garretii ‘PWWG01S’
View the plant description
High altitude trees, shrubs and vines
If you’d like to see more high-altitude plants from Plant Select, please…
- Visit Our Plants page.
- Click on the Export Plants to Excel button.
- Sort the list by the elevation guide column and/or the USDA hardiness zone column.
Where to find Plant Select plants
Plant Select is a non-profit collaboration between Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado State University and professional horticulturists. We find, test and select plants that are ideal for the high plains and intermountain regions. Then, more than 100 participating growers, botanic gardens and retailers help get the plants to market.
You can find Plant Select plants at independent garden centers, online retailers and wholesalers. Ask for Plant Select on your next visit.
If your retailer doesn’t have the plant you want, let them know you’re interested in it. Demand can help drive what retailers carry. In some cases, they may be able to order the plant for you.
