Why Drought-tolerant Plants Are Perfect for Denver Yards

Denver is located in a steppe ecosystem that is characterized by extremes: extreme cold, heat, drought, hail and wind. To be a plant that survives this environment is to be resilient, to bounce back after adversity and to adapt. We know plants can survive these conditions because we are surrounded by them when we step into our natural ecosystems in the plains and foothills, and increasingly when we step outside our front doors into our neighborhoods and parks. Plants have been surviving—and thriving—in steppe ecosystems for millennia, evolving in conditions like long droughts, harsh sunlight and strong winds to have adaptations such as deep roots, protective hairs and fine leaf textures. 

Resilience Is Beautiful

Resilient gardens are beautiful gardens, not just in their resilience, but in their aesthetics. With adaptation comes diversity in form, texture, color and bloom timing—key ingredients of designing an attractive garden. The Roads Water-Smart Garden and Nexus Garden exemplify how low-water, adapted plants from Colorado and similar steppe environments can be combined to create focal points, contrast, patterns, ongoing blooms and interesting winter structure that give year-round appeal alongside decades-long resilience in our Denver climate. 

The Perfect Time to Plant

You may be on the fence about planting a new garden or integrating water-smart plants. Now is an excellent time to invest in resilient plants adapted to harsh climate conditions. As you’ve likely learned, Denver Water has implemented Stage 1 drought restrictions for summer. In the coming decades, temperatures in Denver are expected to continue to increase while water availability becomes more sporadic; droughts are not new for Denver and are likely to become more frequent and severe. Embracing resilient plants in our gardens and landscapes prepares us for this future. Once established, resilient plants can withstand drought and extreme heat, reducing our water demands and building our own resilience to future watering restrictions.

Explore the Gardens’ water stewardship initiatives for inspiration and shop Spring Plant Sale May 8 and 9 to add water-smart plants to your landscape.

This article was contributed by Manager of Sustainable Landscape Services Marissa Sterrett and volunteer Jaclyn Kachelmeyer.