25+ Straight Species Native Plants From Plant Select
September 7th, 2023
“Does Plant Select have straight species native plants?”
Yes, Plant Select has a variety of straight species native plants in its program. These western natives occur naturally in the wild. Scroll down to see 25+ of our favorites!
Helpful tips:
- You may find these native plants for purchase as seeds or young plants.
- Common names for plants can vary. When buying these regionally native plants, it’s best to look for the botanical names.
- If you’d like to support our non-profit’s efforts to bring more native plants to market, please look for Plant Select on the label when buying the straight species native plants below. You’ll support growers who are committed to the Plant Select program and are passionate about bringing plants to market that are inspired by the Rocky Mountain region.
- Plant Select also has many native selections in its program—plants that are found in the wild and were selected for a unique, naturally occurring characteristic. We’ll save these plants for a different article.
Plant Select straight species perennials
Bridges’ Penstemon (pictured above)
Penstemon rostriflorus
Learn about Bridges’ penstemon
See its native range
Chocolate Flower (pictured above)
Berlandiera lyrata
Learn about chocolate flower
See its native range
Colorado Desert Bluestar (pictured above)
Amsonia jonesii
Learn about Colorado desert bluestar
See its native range
DENVER GOLD® Columbine (pictured above) — aka, golden columbine
Aquilegia chrysantha
Learn about DENVER GOLD® columbine
See its native range
Despite the name, this is a straight species plant grown from seed.
Desert Beardtongue (pictured above)
Penstemon pseudospectabilis
Learn about desert beardtongue
See its native range
Engelmann’s Daisy (pictured above)
Engelmannia peristenia
Learn about Englemann’s daisy
See its native range
Giant Sacaton (pictured above)
Sporobolus wrightii
Learn about giant sacaton grass
See its native range
Grand Mesa Beardtongue (pictured above)
Penstemon mensarum
Learn about Grand Mesa beardtongue
See its native range
Grand Mesa beardtongue can be hard to find, so buy it when you see it!
Meadow Blazing Star Gayfeather / Rocky Mountain Blazing Star (pictured above)
Liatris ligulistylis
Learn about blazing star liatris
See its native range
Mojave Sage (pictured above)
Salvia pachyphylla
Learn about mojave sage
See its native range
Red Birds in a Tree (pictured above)
Scrophularia macrantha
Learn about red birds in a tree
See its native range
Red Yucca (pictured above)
Hesperaloe parviflora
Learn about red yucca
See its native range
Rocky Mountain Goldenrod (pictured above)
Solidago multiradiata
Learn about Rocky Mountain goldenrod
See its native range
Solidago multiradiata is considered a keystone plant for ecoregions in much of the Interior West. Keystone plants offer significant benefits to pollinators, beneficial insects and wildlife.
Sandia Coral Bells (pictured above)
Heuchera pulchella
Learn about Sandia coral bells
See its native range
Sunset Hyssop (pictured above)
Agastache rupestris
Learn about sunset hyssop
See its native range
Tennessee Purple Coneflower (pictured above)
Echinacea tennesseensis
Learn about Tennessee Purple Coneflower
See its native range
Tennessee Purple Coneflower is native to Tennessee. It spent 30+ years on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species list. Because of conservation efforts, it was removed from the list in 2011. It thrives in the intermountain west and is a wonderful pollinator plant.
Tushar Bluemat Penstemon (pictured above)
Penstemon xylus
Learn about Tushar bluemat penstemon
See its native range
Wild Thing Sage (pictured above)
Salvia greggii
Learn about Wild Thing sage
See its native range
Winecups / Purple Poppy Mallow (pictured above)
Callirhoe involucrata
Learn about winecups
See its native range
Plant Select straight species shrubs and trees
Canyon Plume, formerly Apache Plume (pictured above)
Fallugia paradoxa
Learn about canyon plume
See its native range
Fernbush (pictured above)
Chamaebatiaria millefolium
Learn about fernbush
See its native range
Dwarf Leadplant (pictured above)
Amorpha nana
Learn about dwarf leadplant
See its native range
Dwarf Rabbitbrush / Baby Blue Rabbitbrush (pictured above)
Ericameria nauseosa var. nauseosa
Learn about dwarf rabbitbrush
See its native range
Ericameria nauseosa is considered a keystone plant in much of the western United States. Keystone plants offer significant benefits to pollinators, beneficial insects and wildlife.
Littleleaf Mountain Mahogany (pictured above)
Cercocarpus intricatus
Learn about littleleaf mountain mahogany
See its native range
Mountain Lover (pictured above)
Paxistima canbyi
Learn about mountain lover
See its native range
Mountain lover is native to the Allegheny Mountains in the eastern United States, but it’s an awesome problem solver for the intermountain west. It’s adaptable to dry or moist shade conditions. This is the one plant on this list of straight species native plants that is grown from a cutting, rather than a seed.
Smith’s Buckthorn (pictured above)
Rhamnus smithii
Learn about Smith’s buckthorn
See its native range
Smith’s buckthorn can be hard to find, so buy it when you see it!
Waxflower (pictured above)
Jamesia americana
Learn about waxflower
See its native range
About Plant Select native 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.
Ask for Plant Select native plants at independent garden centers, online retailers and wholesalers.
If your favorite retailer doesn’t carry the plants you want, let them know you’re interested in these plants. In some cases, they may be able to order them for you.
See the native origins of all Plant Select plants
You can find the native origins of all Plant Select plants here.
