Plant Descriptions-Montrose, CO

Table 1. Native shrubs for Colorado landscapes.
Scientific Name1	Common Name(s)	Planting Altitude in feet2	Native Colorado Life Zone3	Moisture4	Evergreen/ Deciduous	Comments5
Large shrubs (6 - 10 ft when mature)
Acer glabrum	Rocky Mountain maple	5,000 - 10,500	Foothills -Montane	L - M	D	Small, rounded tree to large shrub; usually multi-stemmed; smooth, gray branches with red buds; fall foliage yellow; shade tolerant.
Amelanchier alnifolia	serviceberry	5,000 - 10,000	Foothills - Subalpine	L - M	D	upright to spreading branches, small rounded leaves; clusters of small white flowers; blue-black fruit attractive to wildlife; orange to red fall color.
Cercocarpus ledifolius	curl-leaf mountain-mahogany	4,500 - 9,000	Upper Sonoran3a	L - M	E	thick, dark evergreen leaves curl during drought conditions; feathery, attractive seed heads; irregular growth habit; large shrub to small tree
Cercocarpus montanus	mountain-mahogany	4,000 - 8,500	Foothills - Montane	L - M	D	open growth habit; feathery, attractive seed heads; wedge-shaped leaves.
Cornus sericea	red twig dogwood, red-osier dogwood	4,500 - 10,000	Plains - Montane	M - H	D	red stems in winter; flat, white flower clusters followed by white to blue fruits attractive to birds; yellow to red fall color; streamside understory plant, shade tolerant.
Forestiera neomexicana	New Mexico privet	4,500 - 7,500	Upper Sonoran3a	L	D	large shrub to small tree; dense, grayish-green foliage, yellow flowers before leaves, blue-black fruit on females, light tan bark; yellow fall color; good for screening.
Fraxinus anomala	single-leaf ash	4,500 - 6,000	Upper Sonoran3a	L - M	D	large shrub or small tree, often multi-stemmed; found in dry canyons in southwest CO; yellow fall color; less available.
Prunus americana	American plum, wild plum	4,500 - 8,500	Plains - Foothills	L - M	D	thicket-forming; white flowers before leaves, fruit good for preserves; attracts wildlife; cold and drought tolerant; yellow to red fall color; found along canyons and slope bottoms.
Prunus pensylvanica	pin cherry	5,000 - 8,000	Foothills3b	M	D	large shrub to small tree; thicket-forming; shiny green leaves; red edible fruit; shade tolerant, white flowers, red fall color.
Prunus virginiana melanocarpa	Western chokecherry	4,500 - 8,500	Plains - Montane Upper Sonoran	M	D	irregular, branching shrub with shiny dark green leaves and elongated flower clusters; suckers to form thickets; dark purple fruit excellent for preserves; reddish-orange to yellow fall color.
Ptelea trifoliata	hop tree, wafer-ash	4,000 - 6,500	Plains - Foothills3b	M - H	D	shrub or small tree with three-parted foliage, drought and shade tolerant; small, fragrant flowers, yellow fall color, persistent hop-like fruit.
Quercus undulata	wavyleaf oak	4,000 - 6,500	Foothills3b	L	D - E	blue-green leathery leaves with wavy edges; leaves persist in winter; coarse bark; native to southeast CO; less available.
Rhamnus smithii	Smith buckthorn	5,000 - 7,500	Foothills3a	L - M	D	upright habit with dark green shiny leaves; black fruit in late summer on female plants; yellow fall color; good screen plant; Plant Select®5a.
Rhus glabra	smooth sumac	4,000 - 8,000	Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran	L - M	D	open, rounded thicket-forming shrub; bright green leaves; pyramidal clusters of yellow flowers produce fuzzy dark red fruits in fall that persist into winter; outstanding yellow-orange-red fall color.
Salix exigua	sandbar willow	4,000 - 9,000	Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran	H	D	thicket-forming; gray-green narrow-leaved foliage, salinity tolerant; yellowish gray catkins before leaves; yellow fall color.
Salix monticola	Rocky Mountain willow, yellow mountain willow	6,000 - 10,500	Montane	H	D	broad, rounded shrub; narrow, deep green leaves, yellow fall color; arching yellow twigs attractive in winter; common streamside willow found in mountain areas.
Shepherdia argentea	silver buffaloberry	4,500 - 7,500	Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran	L-M	D	medium shrub to small tree; thicket-forming; silver, rounded leaves; golden to red, edible bitter fruits on females attract wildlife.
Sorbus scopulina	native mountain ash, Greene's mountain ash	6,000 - 10,000	Foothills - Subalpine	M	D	large shrub to small tree with divided leaves, white flower clusters followed by orange fruit attractive to wildlife; orange to red fall color; found in moist sites on slopes in rocky canyons.
Medium shrubs (4 - 6 ft when mature)
Amorpha fruticosa	false indigo, leadplant	3,500 - 6,000	Plains3b	L	D	open, wide-spreading shrub; feathery green foliage; spikes of deep blue flowers in summer; yellow fall color; deer resistant.
Artemisia tridentata	big sagebrush	4,500 - 9,500	Upper Sonoran	L	E	silver colored evergreen with peeling grayish bark; leaves densely hairy and aromatic; wildlife browse plant; does not tolerate high moisture.
Betula glandulosa	bog birch	5,000 - 11,000	Subalpine	H	D	globe-shaped shrub with small, rounded dark green leaves on reddish-brown erect stems; yellow to red fall color; better at higher altitudes.
Cowania mexicana	cliffrose	4,000 - 7,500	Upper Sonoran3a	L	E	upright oval shrub; rigid, gnarled branches; small, lobed olive-green leaves; fragrant creamy-colored flowers followed by feather-tailed seeds.
Fallugia paradoxa	Apache plume	3,500 - 8,000	Plains Upper Sonoran3b	L	D - E	open, rounded shrub; small grayish-green leaves; whitish shreddy bark; white, rose-like flowers; fuzzy pinkish seed heads appear all summer; native to San Luis and Arkansas Valleys. Plant Select®5a.
Fendlera rupicola	cliff fendlerbush	4,000 - 8,000	Upper Sonoran3a	L	D	small, grayish-green narrow leaves with edges rolled under; white to pink flowers, bark reddish-tan; less available.
Holodiscus dumosus	rock-spirea, mountainspray	5,000 - 10,000	Foothills - Montane	L - M	D	upright shrub; arching slender branches with pyramidal sprays of white flower clusters that turn rust; fall foliage color bronze-red; sun to partial shade; found on rock outcrops and cliff bases.
Rhus trilobata	three-leaf sumac, skunkbrush	3,500 - 9,000	Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran	L	D	arching branches with glossy green three-parted leaves, small yellow flowers before leaves; reddish hairy edible fruits; orange to red fall color.
Ribes aureum	golden currant	4,000 - 10,000	Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran	L - M	D	arching growth habit; yellow clove-scented flowers in late spring; yellow to black fruit attracts birds; well-drained sites; orange to red fall color.
Ribes inerme	whitestem currant	6,000 - 10,000	Foothills - Montane	M	D	rounded growth habit; few if any spines; whitish stems becoming reddish-brown and flaky; small pink flowers followed by edible, tart, wine-red fruit.
Ribes lacustre	bristly currant, swamp currant	8,000 - 10,000	Montane - Subalpine	H	D	low-growing shrub with spines; lobed leaves; greenish-purple flowers in drooping clusters followed by bristly purple fruit; native along streams; browse plant for livestock and game.
Rubus deliciosus	boulder raspberry	4,500 - 9,000	Foothills	L - M	D	arching growth habit with peeling, cinnamon-colored bark; shade tolerant; spineless; large, white rose-like flowers in spring followed by sparse raspberry-like fruits.
Rubus parviflorus	western thimbleberry	5,000 - 10,000	Montane	M - H	D	large, maple-like leaves; white, rose-like flowers followed by edible fruits; best in shady, moist locations.
Salix irrorata	blue stem willow	5,000 - 9,000	Foothills	H	D	rounded, upright shrub with spreading silver blue twigs; glossy green linear leaves; yellow fall color.
Sambucus racemosa	red-berried elder	5,000 - 12,000	Foothills - Subalpine	M - H	D	upright to arching growth form; shiny compound leaves; stout branches; white flower clusters in early summer followed by bright red berries; yellow fall color; found in marshy meadows or along streams; attracts birds.
Small shrubs (less than 4 ft when mature)
Amorpha canescens	silvery leadplant	3,500 - 7,500	Plains - Foothills3b	L	D	erect, dense shrub with gray-green, fern-like foliage; tall spikes of violet-purple flowers in mid-summer; tolerant of drought and poor soils.
Arctostaphylos patula	manzanita, bearberry	6,000 - 9,000	Foothills - Montane3a	L	E	spreading growth habit with dense foliage; mahogany-red stems; oval, bright green erect leaves; pink flowers in spring followed by dark brown small apple-like fruits; does best on well drained soils.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	kinnikinnik	5,000 - 10,000	Foothills - Subalpine	L - M	E	mat-forming evergreen with small oval leaves; pink urn-shaped flowers followed by red fruits; requires well-drained gravelly soils; attracts wildlife; needs light shade.
Artemisia cana	silver sagebrush	5,000 - 10,000	Montane	L - M	E	mounding growth habit; branches become gnarled; aromatic, silver-gray leaves.
Atriplex canescens	fourwing saltbush	4,000 - 8,000	Plains Upper Sonoran	L	D - E	light green to gray small leaves; interesting four-winged fruits on female plants; tolerant of poor or salty soils; slow-growing.
Ceanothus fendleri	Fendler ceanothus, mountain-lilac	5,000 - 9,000	Foothills - Montane	L	D	spiny, low shrub with small white flower clusters in late spring; wildlife browse plant; grows on coarse soils; less available.
Ceratoides lanata	winterfat	3,500 - 9,500	Plains Upper Sonoran	L	D - E	dense erect shrub covered with white woolly fruits; grayish-green leaves persist in winter; excellent forage for wildlife.
Chrysothamnus nauseosus	rabbitbrush, rubber rabbitbrush	5,000 - 10,000	"Plains - Foothills Upper Sonoran"	L	D	size and growth habit varies with subspecies; narrow aromatic leaves; young stems green to silvery-gray; showy clusters of yellow flowers on new growth in late summer attract butterflies; can be aggressive through reseeding.
Jamesia americana	waxflower	5,500 - 10,000	Foothills - Montane	M	D	flat-topped shrub with upright branches; distinctly veined heart-shaped leaves with white undersides; shreddy reddish bark; waxy, white flowers in late spring; red fall color; shade tolerant; needs well-drained soil.
Juniperus communis montana	common juniper	5,000 -10,000	Foothills - Subalpine	L - M	E	low-growing evergreen; needle-like leaves with whitish stripes; bluish-gray berry-like fruits; shade tolerant; needs well-drained soil.
Lonicera involucrata	twinberry	5,000 - 11,000	Montane - Subalpine	M - H	D	shade-tolerant upright oval shrub with erect branches; bright green leaves; creamy yellow trumpet-shaped flowers in pairs followed by black fruit enclosed in a red cup.
Mahonia repens	creeping Oregon grape-holly	5,000 - 9,500	Foothills - Montane	L - M	E	low-growing thicket-forming ground cover; blue-green leaves turn purplish in winter; yellow flowers followed by edible, blue grape-like fruit; shade tolerant; may winter burn in windy, exposed sites.
Philadelphus microphyllus	littleleaf mock-orange	5,000 - 8,000	Foothills Upper Sonoran	L - M	D	rounded, compact slow-growing shrub with small gray-green leaves; fragrant white star-shaped flowers.
Physocarpus monogynus	mountain ninebark	5,500 - 10,000	Foothills - Montane	M	D	interesting shreddy bark on older branches; white to rose-colored flowers in small heads; good wildlife cover; leaves resemble those of currant; yellow to maroon fall color; less available.
Potentilla fruticosa	shrubby cinquefoil	5,000 - 11,000	Montane - Subalpine	M	D	open, rounded shrub; single yellow flowers throughout summer; many cultivated forms available from nurseries.
Prunus besseyi	Western sand cherry	3,500 - 8,500	Plains - Foothills3b	L - M	D	upright, rounded open shrub with grayish-green leaves; numerous white, single, fragrant flowers followed by purplish-black fruits that attract birds; red fall color. 'Pawnee Buttes' is a low, spreading groundcover, Plant Select®5a.
Purshia tridentata	antelope bitterbrush, antelope-brush	5,000 - 9,000	Foothills - Montane	L	D	spreading shrub with small, oval gray leaves and pale yellow flowers in early summer; requires dry, coarse soils; important browse plant for wildlife.
Ribes cereum	wax currant	4,000 - 10,000	Foothills	L	D	rounded growth form; lobed, leathery leaves; lacks spines; pink tubular flowers in spring; edible orange-red berries in summer attract birds.
Rosa woodsii	Woods rose, wild rose	3,500 -10,500	Foothills - Subalpine	L - M	D	spiny, dark reddish-brown stems; thicket-forming; dark green compound leaf; single, large pink flowers in early summer; reddish-orange fruits; browse plant for wildlife.
Shepherdia canadensis	russet buffaloberry	5,000 -11,500	Montane - Subalpine	L	D	prostrate to upright shrub; brown thornless branches; dark green, oval leaves with russet colored scales beneath; inconspicuous flowers followed by red to orange bitter fruit on females; attractive to wildlife; shade tolerant.
Symphoricarpos albus	snowberry	5,000 - 8,500	Foothills	L - M	D	arching growth habit; thicket-forming; rounded, blue-green leaves; shade tolerant; pink bell-shaped flowers in summer; large white berries in fall persist into winter; attracts birds and small mammals.