Vibrant Perennials Well Suited to Grow in Colorado's Altitude and Growing Conditions

REMEMBRANCE^® Columbine (Aquilegia 'Swan Violet & White') is a hybrid derived from Colorado's state flower. REMEMBRANCE^® is a registered trademark of FTD^®

The petals and spurs of this perennial are an incredibly rich, shining violet-blue. The name honors the memory of the students and a teacher lost in the shooting at Columbine High School. Proceeds from garden center and nursery sales of this plant benefit organizations that promote diversity and tolerance in schools.Grows 14-24" tall, 15-18" wide Blooms late spring to early summer. Needs partial sun and prefers moderate water in loamy soils.

www.plantselect.org/plant/aquilegia-swan-violet-white/

Corsican Violet (Viola corsica) This perennial pansy has large 1-inch bright purple flowers with white whiskering on the petals.

This plant is heat tolerant but does not do well in hot, humid areas. Reseeds moderately. This plant is a good choice for adding year-round bloom to your garden. Grows 6-8" tall, 6-8" wide Lovely purple blooms from early spring to late fall Likes full sun to partial shade and needs moderate water in loamy/well-drained soils Excellent for higher altitudes and partly shaded gardens.

Denver Botanic Gardens Information on Corsican Violet

www.plantselect.org/plant/viola-corsica/

CORONADO® Red Hyssop (Agastache 'Pstessene') is a Southwest native perennial which bears orange-yellow flowers.

Grows 15-18" tall, 12-15" wide · Spikes of tiny red blooms, most prolific July to September Good in full sun and grows in moderate to dry conditions in a wide range of soil conditions · Great for attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies and moths.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1061.html

www.plantselect.org/plantstories/coronado-red-hyssop-red-and-radiant/

CORAL CANYON® Twinspur (Diascia integerrima) is a perennial which colors resembles a cloud of soft pink, bubble-gum like pink oval flowers from late spring(May) to autumn frost (October).

This heat tolerant introduction from the East Cape Drakensberg Range of South Africa has a wide tolerance of soil and exposure. Prefers full sun to partial shade and grows with moderate water in a wide range of soil conditions · Looks great combined with purples and silvers in the garden. By far the toughest performer in this novel genus of everblooming wildflowers. Grows 15" tall, 12" wide.

www.plantselect.org/plant/diascia-integerrima-p009s/

COLORADO GOLD® Gazania (Gazania linearis) This perennial has glossy mounds of deep green, strap-shaped leaves with three-inch, shiny bright golden yellow flowers throughout the season April to October.

This selection is cold hardy compared to the annual bedding gazanias. It does well under ordinary garden treatment, or in unamended, dry soils (once established). Grows 3" tall, 10" wide. Grows in full sun to partial shade and is adaptable to moderate to dry conditions in well-drained soils · Great for xeriscape, edging or borders.

http://plantselect.org/plant/gazania-linearis-p004s/

Snow Angel Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea 'Snow Angel')are a familiar and popular perennial excellent for dry shade because they adapt to various exposures and bloom reliably.

Low-growing mounds of light green, broadly-lobed leaves are marbled with a light cream variegation that brightens shady gardens. Delicate spikes of pinkish-red/coral bells flowers add a complimentary note from late spring into summer. Grows 6-15" tall, 10" wide ·Prefers partial sun to full shade and needs moderate water in loamy soils · Beautiful, variegated foliage is attractive all season long.
http://plantselect.org/plant/heuchera-sanguinea-snow-angel/
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1062.html

SILVERTON® Bluemat Penstemon (Penstemon linarioides var. coloradoensis) offers a great show of lavender-blue flowers in May and June.
This native penstemon is prized for its handsome display of silvery, evergreen leaves that persist even through the winter months. If you are interested in adding plants that reflect a regional note, SILVERTON® Bluemat Penstemon will soon become one of your favorite selections. Grows 8-12" tall, 12-15" wide · Needs full sun and grows in moderate to xeric conditions in sandy, well-drained soils. Great for rock gardens and edging for low-water gardens.

www.plantselect.org/plant/penstemon-linarioides-var-coloradoensis-p014s//

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/2026.html

Wild Thing Sage (Salvia greggii) ·is a woody perennial with aromatic mounds of dark, semi-evergreen foliage are covered with flushes of hot pink/rose-red flowers from May to October.

Baby blue rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus [Ericameria] nauseosus var. nauseosus) is a compact, dome-like strain found along the Front Range. It is especially dense and silvery-blue with bright golden flowers in late summer and fall.

Colorado desert blue star (Amsonia jonesii) This widely adaptable western native thrives in ordinary gardens or unwatered xeriscape.

Light blue flowers from April to June atop a mound of medium green foliage. 12" ht. x 15" width. Autumn foliage is a beautiful, clear yellow. Attracts butterflies and is deer resistant. Requires full sun.

Golden Storksbill (Erodium chrysanthum) Silvery mounds of evergreen, ferny grayish-blue green foliage decorative in their own right.

Grand Mesa Beardtongue (Penstemon mensarum) The richly colored, deep cobalt-blue and lavender flowers of Penstemon mensarum will leave you in awe.

Russian hawthorn (Crataegus ambigua) is a small ornamental tree that will grow 15 to 20 feet in height. It is hardy to zone 4.

Watch this video of the 2011 Plant Select Winners and see more pictures of the beautiful plants we recently showcased in our blog.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

2016 Plant Select Winners for Colorado