Native Plant List – Utah and Western Colorado
Last updated: September 4, 2026
This is a "starter" list of native plants for Utah and Western Colorado. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes.
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Utah and Western Colorado - Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Drought Tolerance | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Fir | Abies concolor | P | M | 70 ft | Beautiful in mass or alone |
| Subalpine Fir | Abies lasiocarpa | S | P | 80 ft | Cover for birds; food for squirrels; for small spaces |
| Catclaw Acacia | Acacia greggii | F | E | 20 ft | Nectar for bees, butterflies; forms thorny thicket |
| Big Tooth Maple | Acer grandidentatum | F | G | 30 ft | Food, cover for birds, mammals, deer; fall color |
| Thinleaf Alder | Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia | F/P | P | 30 ft | Seed, cover for birds; spring "cones;" winter bark |
| Water Birch | Betula occidentalis | F | G | 5–20 ft | Seed, cover for birds; nice winter form, branch color |
| Desert Willow | Chilopsis linearis | F | G | 25 ft | Nectar for hummingbirds; profuse pink flowers |
| River Hawthorne | Crataegus douglasii | F | P | 5–25 ft | Nesting cover, fruit for birds; nice blossoms and fruit |
| Singleleaf Ash | Fraxinus anomalus | F | G | 20 ft | Seeds for birds, mammals; start from seed, cutting |
| Velvet Ash | Fraxinus velutina | F | G | 40 ft | Provides seed for birds; velvety leaves |
| Utah Juniper | Jun. osteosperma | F | E | 30 ft | Food, cover for birds, mammals; nice bark, form |
| Blue Spruce | Picea pungens | P | P | 70 ft | Cover for birds, mammals; blue-green foliage |
| Singleleaf Pinyon | Pinus edulis | F | E | 20 ft | Pine nuts for birds, mammals; slow-growth; graceful |
| Pinyon Pine | Pinus monophylla | F | E | 20 ft | Pine nuts for birds, mammals; pictureque evergreen |
| Narrowleaf Cottonwood | Populus angustifolia | F | M | 40 ft | Soft wood for nest cavities; medium-size shade tree |
| Fremont Cottonwood | Populus fremontii | F | G | 55 ft | Soft wood for nest cavities; fem. produces cotton |
| Fremont Popular | Populus frenentii | F | M | 60 ft | Soft wood for nest cavities; fem. produces cotton |
| Velvet Mesquite | Populus glandulosa | F | E | 30 ft | Bee nectar; bird food; green foliage; 3-6" seedpods |
| Douglas Fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii | P | M | 80 ft | Year-round bird cover, pretty screen, windbreak |
| Gambel Oak | Quercus gambelii | F | G | 30 ft | Acorns; winter cover; not hardy N of Ogden |
| New Mexico Locust | Robinia neomexicana | F | G | 25 ft | Bee nectar; seeds for quail, squirrels; lav. flowers |
| Dwarf Mountain Ash | Sorbus scopulina | P | P | 13 ft | Fruit for birds, white flowers in spring; berries in fall |
Utah and Western Colorado - Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Drought Tolerance | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Serviceberry | Amelanchier utahensis | F | G | 6–15 ft | Spring flowers, purple berries, muted fall colors |
| Silver Sagebrush | Artemesia cana | F | E | 2–5 ft | Silvery, aromatic foliage; seeds,cover for animals |
| Fringed Sage | Artemesia frigida | F | E | 12–24 in | Delicate silvery gray foliage; seeds for birds |
| Big Sagebrush | Artemesia tridentata | F | E | 2–5 ft | Silvery, aromatic foliage; seeds,cover for animals |
| Sand Sage | Artemisin filifolia | F | E | 4 ft | Lovely, feathery foliage; seeds for birds |
| Four-wing Saltbush | Atriplex canescens | F | E | 4–6 ft | Rose-hued fruits on female plants; great bird seed |
| Snowbrush Ceanothus | Ceanothus velutinus | F | M | 12–36 in | Glossy leaves and spring flowers; nectar plant |
| Winterfat | Ceratoides lanata | F | E | 12–36 in | Profuse fruits in fall; winter food for birds |
| Curl-leaf Mtn Mohogany | Cercocarpus ledifolius | F | E | 8–12 ft | Ornamental spiralled seeds; winter deer food |
| Birchleaf Mtn Mohogany | Cercocarpus montanus | F | E | 4–9 ft | Ornamental seed heads and fall color |
| Fernbrush | Chamaebatiaria millefol. | F | E | 6–8 ft | Long-lasting mid-summer flowers; fernlike leaves |
| Rubber Rabbitbrush | Chrysothamnus nauseo. | F | E | 2–6 ft | Yellow fall cover; seeds and cover for birds |
| Red-osier Dogwood | Cornus sericea | P | P | 10–15 ft | Spring flowers; fall white berries; winter red twigs |
| Indigo Bush | Dalea fremontii | F | E | 36 in | Profuse fragrant purple flowers; nectar plant |
| Mormon Tea | Ephedra nevadensis | F | E | 2–4 ft | Interesting shrub accent; seeds attract quail |
| Apache Plume | Fallugia paradoxa | F | G | 3–6 ft | White flowers in spring; seed heads fall and winter |
| Creosotebush | Larrea tridentata | F | E | 4–10 ft | Screen or wind break; nectar plant; cover for birds |
| Utah Honeysuckle | Lonicera utahensis | S | G | 2–5 ft | Yellow flowers late spring; fruit for birds |
| Littleleaf Mockorange | Philadelphus microphyllus | F | E | 3–6 ft | Fragrant white flowers late spring; tough on rocky slopes |
| Purple Sage | Poliomintha incana | S | E | 36 in | Blue/purple flowers all summer; nectar plant |
| Chokecherry | Prunus virginiana | P | G | 15–20 ft | Spring flowers; dark purple fruit; red-orange color |
| Cliffrose | Purshia mexiciana | F | E | 6 ft | Fragrant yellow summer flowers; fall seed plumes |
| Bitterbrush | Purshia tridentata | F | E | 2–6 ft | Spring yellow flowers; winter browse for deer |
| Shrub Live Oak | Quercus turbinella | F | E | 4–8 ft | Attractive evergreen shrub; food and cover for birds |
| Wavyleaf Oak | Quercus undulata | F | G | 4–8 ft | Attractive evergreen shrub; quail, chipmunk food |
| Squawbush Sumac | Rhus trilobata | F | E | 2–6 ft | Red fall color; red fall fruit; food and cover for birds |
| Golden Currant | Ribes aureum | P | M | 4–6 ft | Yellow spring berries; red fall color; fruit for birds |
| Woods Rose | Rosa woodsii | F | G | 2–6 ft | Spring pink flowers; fall red hips; winter animal food |
| Sandbar Willow | Salix exigua | F | P | 5–15 ft | Great branch color in fall; dense cover for wildlife |
| Blue Elderberry | Sambucus caerulea | F | P | 6–12 ft | White spring flowers; showy dark blue fruit |
| Greaswood | Sarcobatus vermiculatus | F | E | 2–6 ft | Light green foliage; year-round cover small animals |
| Roundleaf Buffaloberry | Shepherdia rotundifolia | F | E | 3–4 ft | Reflective, silvery leaves; quail, chipmunk food. |
| Snowberry | Symphoricarpas species | P | G | 36 in | White berries in fall and winter; fruit for birds |
| Canyon Wild Grape | Vitis arizonica | F | G | vine | Colorful fruit for birds; bark for nests |
| Soap Tree Yucca | Yucca elata | F | E | 6 ft | Creamy white blossoms; nectar for moths |
| Yucca | Yucca harrimaniae | F | E | 24–36 in | Creamy flowers on tall stalks; nectar for moths |
Utah and Western Colorado - Flowering Perennials
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments | Color | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa | F-P | A-D | 36 in | Attracts butterflies | Orange | Su |
| Desert Marigold | Baileya multiradiata | F | D | 8–24 in | Drought-adapted, short-lived; native southern UT, not CO; well-drained soil | Yellow | Sp-F (rain dependent) |
| Arrowleaf Balsamroot | Wyethia sagittata (syn. Balsamorhiza sagittata) | F | D | 12–30 in | Spring flowers; deep taproot, slow establishment; browsed by wildlife | Yellow | Sp |
| Indian Paintbrush | Castilleja linariifolia | F | A | 8–36 in | Root hemiparasite; difficult to establish; grow with compatible native companions. Attracts hummingbirds. | Red | Su |
| Skyrocket Gilia | Ipomopsis aggregata (syn. Gilia aggregata) | F-P | A-D | 12–30 in | Hummingbirds; biennial/short-lived, often flowers once; allow reseeding | Red, pink or white | Su |
| Rocky Mountain Beeplant | Cleomella serrulata (syn. Cleome serrulata) | F | A-D | 3–6 ft | Native annual, not perennial; attracts pollinators | Pink/Purple | Su-F |
| Aspen Daisy | Erigeron speciosus | F-P | A | 12–24 in | Showy, aster-like flowers | Purple | Su |
| Sulpher Buckwheat | Eriogonum umbellatum | F | D | 6–12 in | Attracts bees, seeds in F/W, matted ground cover | Wht/Yellow | Su |
| Sticky Geranium | Geranium viscosissimum | F | A-D | 12–36 in | Long blooming season | Pink | Su-F |
| Sunflower | Helianthus annuus | F | A-D | 2–10 ft | USU: Utah native; Kew range narrower. Choose documented local wild-type seed. | Yellow | LSu |
| Dune Sunflower | Helianthus anomalus | F | Well-drained sand; deep moisture | 10–24 in | Dune annual: native AZ/UT, not CO. Deep sand holds moisture; not a generic dry-soil plant. Source | Yellow | LSu |
| Blue Flax | Linum lewisii | F | D | 24 in | Prolific bloomer; spreads rapidly-use in large area | Blue | Su |
| Silvery Lupine | Lupinus argenteus | F-P | A | 12–24 in | Attracts butterflies | Blue | Su |
| Prairie Aster | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | F-P | A-D | 12–36 in | Annual; purple flowers over a long season when moisture permits. Allow some seed to mature for renewal. | Purple | Su-F |
| Four O'Clock | Mirabilis multiflora | F | D | 24 in | Stunning ornamental; attracts hummingbirds | Purple | All Su |
| Bee Balm (Monarda species) | Monarda species | F-P | A; varies by species | Varies by species | Choose an identified local native; moisture, drought tolerance and height vary by species. Source. | Purple | All Su |
| Evening Primrose | Oenothera caespitosa | F-P | D | 8 in | Very drought-tolerant/tough/fragrant/attracts moths | Wht/Pink | ESu |
| Wasatch Penstemon | Penstemon cyananthus | F | D | 18–36 in | Showy ornamental | Blue | Su |
| Firecracker Penstemon | Penstemon eatonii | F-P | D | 24 in | Attracts hummingbirds | Red | Sp-ESu |
| Palmer Penstemon | Penstemon palmeri | F | D-A | 3–4 ft | Very fragrant, tubular summer flowers | Cream/Pink | ESu |
| Rocky Mt. Penstemon | Penstemon strictus | F | A | 24 in | Hardy; easy to grow | Blue/Purple | ESu |
| Scarlet Globemallow | Sphaeralcea coccinea | F | D | 6–12 in | Flowers resemble small hollyhocks | Orange | Sp-F |
| Globemallow | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | F | D-A | 24–36 in | Short-lived; bloom varies with moisture. Native Utah; Colorado nativity not supported. | Red/Orange | Sp-F |
Utah and Western Colorado - Grasses
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Drought Tolerance | Height | Comments | Cool/Warm Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side-oats Grama | Bouteloua curtipendula | F-P | E | 12–24 in | One-sided spikelets; dry meadows/prairies. Allow space for self-seeding. Source | Drooping spikelets line one side of the flowering stalk. Useful in dry meadows and open prairie plantings; allow room for self-seeding. Growing guide. |
| Blue Grama | Bouteloua gracilis | F | E | 12–18 in | Comb-like seedheads; drought-tolerant. Sunny, drained sites; lightly used native lawns. Source. | Distinctive comb-like seedheads; drought-tolerant, low-growing grass for sunny, well-drained sites and lightly used native lawns. Growing guide. |
| Saltgrass | Distichlis spicata | F | E | 6–20 in | Spreading sod for saline, even seasonally wet soil; drought tolerance ≠ dry-soil requirement. Source | Spreads by rhizomes into tough sod; useful on saline soils, including seasonally wet sites. Drought tolerance does not mean it requires dry soil. Growing guide. |
| Great Basin Wildrye | Elymus cinereus | F | E | 2–5 ft | Large bunchgrass for swales/deep soils; grows taller with moisture. Allow space. Source | Large bunchgrass for swales and deep soils; taller with available moisture. Leave room for its substantial flowering stems. Growing guide. |
| Western Wheatgrass | Elymus smithii | F | E | 12–24 in | Spreads by rhizomes; stabilizes soil in open, sunny sites. Source. | Rhizomatous grass that can spread into colonies; useful for soil stabilization in open, sunny sites. Growing guide. |
| Bluebunch Wheatgrass | Elymus spicatus | F | G | 12–24 in | Drought-adapted bunchgrass; sunny, well-drained native plantings. Source | Drought-adapted bunchgrass for sunny, well-drained sites; useful as a structural grass in open native plantings. Growing guide. |
| Slender Wheatgrass | Elymus trachycaulus | F-P | M | 20–40 in (shorter at high elevations) | Short-lived; establishes from seed. Moderate moisture, not driest desert sites. Source | Relatively short-lived bunchgrass; establishes readily from seed and is useful in revegetation mixes. Better suited to moderate moisture than the driest desert sites. Growing guide. |
| Sheep Fescue Not a verified native recommendation: modern Festuca ovina is introduced from Europe; this historical name may refer to another fescue. Confirm identity before planting. Botanical source. | Festuca ovina | F-P | M | 12–24 in | Legacy identity uncertain; European F. ovina is not native. Choose an identified local fescue. Source. | Fine-leaved bunchgrass, but this historical label is not a confirmed native identity. Use a botanically identified local native fescue instead of assuming European sheep fescue is native. Growing guide. |
| Galleta | Hilaria jamesii (syn. Pleuraphis jamesii) | F | E | 3–24 in | Low, tough warm-season grass for dry western landscapes; spreading growth helps stabilize soil. Growing guide. | W |
| Prairie Junegrass | Koeleria macrantha | F-P | G | 12–24 in | Compact cool-season bunchgrass; dry, drained sunny borders or meadows. Source | Compact cool-season bunchgrass with upright flower spikes; useful in dry, well-drained sunny borders and meadows. Growing guide. |
| Sandberg Bluegrass | Poa secunda | F | E | 12–24 in | Small cool-season bunchgrass; early growth, dormancy as soil dries. Dry grass mixes. Source | Small cool-season bunchgrass that grows early and becomes dormant as soils dry; useful in dry native grass mixtures. Growing guide. |
| Alakali Sacaton | Sporobolus airoides | F | E | 2–6 ft | Tolerates alkaline/saline soil and drought once established. Flower stems reach 6 ft. Source. | Airy reddish flower panicles above a large clump; tolerates alkaline or saline soils and drought once established. Flowering stems can reach 6 ft. Growing guide. |
| Sand Dropseed | Sporobolus cryptandrus | F | E | 12–24 in | Warm-season bunchgrass; stabilizes sandy soil and supplies wildlife seed. Source | Warm-season bunchgrass useful for sandy-soil stabilization; fine seedheads provide texture and seed for wildlife. Growing guide. |
| Needle and Thread | Hesperostipa comata (syn. Stipa comata) | F | E | 24–36 in | Dry, drained soil; twisting awns. Sharp ripe seeds can catch in animal coats. Source | Long twisting seed awns give the grass its name. Suits dry, well-drained soils; sharp mature seeds can catch in animal coats. Growing guide. |
| Indian Ricegrass | Stipa hymenoides | F | E | 12–24 in | Dry, sandy sites; airy seedheads provide wildlife food. Source. | Airy seedheads and fine foliage; excellent for dry, sandy sites. Seeds are valuable wildlife food. Growing guide. |
| Desert Needlegrass | Pappostipa speciosa (syn. Stipa speciosa) | F | G | 12–24 in | Dry, freely draining rocky/sandy soil; not a moisture-loving meadow grass. Source | Desert bunchgrass for dry, freely draining rocky or sandy sites; distinctive awned seeds. Avoid treating it as a moisture-loving meadow grass. Growing guide. |
| Sun Exposure | Soil Moisture | Drought Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| F = Full Sun | W = Wet | E = Excellent |
| P = Part Sun | A = Average | G = Good |
| S = Shade | D = Dry | M = Moderate |
| P = Poor |
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