SHRUBS
Amelanchier alnifolia SAKATOON SERVICEBERRY: Native to Colorado and much of the West. If you long for blueberries and can’t grow them in our alkaline soil, here is a good alternative. Big white flowers in May give way to blue berries in June and July. Good for fresh eating and for jelly. Yellow to red fall color. Birds like them, too. 8′-10′ tall, can be kept shorter with pruning. Zone 4. These are in 4.5″ pots, an economical way to start them.
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Regent’ SASKATOON SERVICEBERRY: This compact form of the Saskatoon Serviceberry has white flowers in spring that are followed by extra sweet, edible fruits. The fruits are loved by birds and people alike. Yellow to red fall color. 4′ tall. Zone 4. sold in #5 pots.
Buddleia alternifolia ‘Argentea’ FOUNTAIN BUTTERFLY BUSH: A butterfly bush for the xeric garden, a showy spring blooming shrub that is almost maintenance free. 1998 Plant Select. 8′ tall. Zone 5.
Buddleia davidii ‘Buzz Hot Raspberry’ This dwarf buddleia only gets 3′ tall and is covered with hot pink flowers from July to frost. Buzz dosn’t seed, so no worries about it taking over the landscape. Hummingbirds go crazy for it. Butterflies adore it. Deer resistant. Kind of perfect! Zone 5.
Caryopteris ‘Dark Knight’ BLUE MIST SPIREA: Dark violet-blue flowers make this a great shrub for late summer color. Much loved by bees. Drought tolerant.Deer resistant! Zone 5.
Cercocarpus ledifolius MAHOGANY, CURL LEAF: Drought tolerant and evergreen. Slowly grows into a 10′ tall shrub. Zone 4.
Cercocarpus montanus MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY: Similar to above, but deciduous. This one is native to Rye and all along the Front Range. Leaves have an orangey-red fall color. Plumed seed heads. 5′ x 5′. Zone 5.
Chilopsis linearis DESERT WILLOW: This gorgeous native has fantastic flowers that give pleasure to anyone who passes by. Beloved by hummingbirds. Xeric. 5′ tall. Zone 5. Survived the winter in the garden in Rye! Very exciting.
Chrysothamnus nauseosus nana RABBITBRUSH, DWARF: This native has silver blue stems and leaves and golden yellow flowers in late September. This variety is very dwarf, only 2’ tall after many years. Pruning back to 12″ tall in spring will cause the plant to remain a compact and attractive shrub. Hardy to 9000′.
Fallugia paradoxa APACHE PLUME: Native shrub with white, single, rose-like flowers followed by silky tan plumes. Both fllowers and plumes are on the bush through most of the summer. 3′-5′ tall. Zone 4.
Forestiera neomexicana NEW MEXICO PRIVET: This can be grown as a shrub or tree. If pruned to a tree shape, it looks graceful and open with smallish leaves. If allowed to follow its instincts, it can create a thick hedge. Nice fall color–golden yellow. Zone 4.
Genista tinctoria ‘Royal Gold’ BROOM: Deep yellow flowers in spring. Survives in poor dry soils and thrives in heat. 18″ x 36″. Zone 4.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Strawberry Sundae’: My love affair with hydrangeas started when we were doing a lot of dried flower wreaths and swags. They keep their form and color for years! This variety has white blooms that mature to pink and then darker pink. Gorgeous. Very winter hardy–one of our customers is growing hydrangea 8500′ elevation. Protect from deer. 4′ tall. Zone 4.
Ligustrum ‘Cheyenne Privet’ PRIVET: A fine, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. It is fast growing and a great plant where you need a screen or hedge to fill in quickly. Deer resistant. Fragrant white flowers in spring. 6-8′ tall. Zone 4.
Lonicera korolkowi ‘Pink Velvet’ HONEYSUCKLE: This shrub honeysuckle is a seedling of Lonicera ‘Blue Velvet’ and is in some ways superior to the parent plant. It is very floriferous and also resistant to witches broom aphid. Red berries loved by song birds. A great shrub for the xeriscape. Zone 3.
Mahonia haematocarpa DESERT HOLLY: An evergreen shrub with yellow flowers in the spring and red berries in the fall. 6′ tall. Does best with a little shade, otherwise it winterburns. Zone 5.
Philadelphus lewisii WILD MOCK ORANGE: This fragrant, deer resistant, native shrub has white flowers in June. Winter hardy, drought tolerant. 6′ tall. Zone 3.
Physocarpus ‘Little Devil’ NINEBARK: Burgundy red foliage all through the summer! 4′ tall. Foliage deepens to red-purple in the fall. Pale pink flowers in spring. Zone 3.
Potentilla fruticosa ‘Dakota Sunspot’: Yellow flowers persist throughout the summer. Like all potentillas it is extremely cold tolerant. The species is native to Colorado at 8000′ and higher; it will survive without irrigation in the foothills, but needs some supplemental water at lower elevations. Deer resistant. Zone 3.
Prunus besseyi ‘Pawnee Buttes’ SANDCHERRY: A native of Colorado, this shrub is very drought tolerant. Produces berries for birds, pretty fall color for humans. 2′ tall, spreading at maturity to 5′ wide. PLANT SELECT 2000. Zone 4.
Rhus trilobata SUMAC: Our local, native sumac colors the foothills with red in the fall. Of all the native shrubs that are native to Rye, this, and the currant listed below, have the best fall color. Xeric. 3-4′ tall. Zone 4.
Ribes aureum GOLDEN CURRANT: The flowers are clove scented; it blooms in late April in Rye. It’s very drought tolerant and will grow in sun to part shade. The flowers are popular with hummingbirds. Deep red to purple fall color. 4′-5′ tall. Deer resistant. Zone 3.
Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ WILLOW, CORKSCREW: The interesting branches on this willow make it a conversation piece in the landscape and an excellent accent in flower arrangements. 15′-20′ tall. Can be pruned yearly to keep it the height you want. Zone 4.
Salvia pachyphylla: Long flowering sub-shrub. The blue flowers are surrounded by purple bracts. Silver leaves. Great for the xeriscape. Zone 5.
Sambucus ‘Black Lace’: The intriguing dark foliage is finely cut like that of Japanese maple. Pink fragrant flowers in June. Easy to grow in a border or as an accent. Needs regular irrigation, but that is its only demand in our climate! 8′-12′ tall. Zone 4.
Sherpherdia argentea SILVER BUFFALOBERRY: It’s been a long time since we grew this native shrub, and we’re happy to have it back. Silver buffaloberry has silvery leaves and white stems. It likes full sun, moderate water, and will tolerate alkaline soil and drought. Birds love the berries. Native Americans ate the berries as a sauce with bison. 8′-10′ tall. Very cold tolerant. Zone 3
New! Syringa pubescens patula ‘Miss Kim’ LILAC: Deep purple buds open to a light lavender-blue, fragrant flower in mid to late May. One of the few lilacs with good fall color, this variety turns burgundy red in autumn. Excellent powdery mildew resistance. Most lilacs get 10′ or more at maturity, but ‘Miss Kim’ stays a more manageable 5′ in height. Zone 4.
New! Viburnum prunifolium ‘Blackhaw Viburnum’: This U.S. native shrub is very adaptable, growing in full sun to part shade and attracting butterflies when in flower and birds when in fruit. The berries can be used in jam, too. Red fall foliage extends the season of interest. 10′ tall. Good to plant for a hedge, windbreak, privacy screen and to attract birds. Can withstand drought after establishment. Zone 3.
VINES
Campsis radicans TRUMPET VINE: A vigorous, sturdy vine that needs a strong support. Quite drought tolerant once established. The orange-red flowers attract hummingbirds. Zone 4.
Humulus lupulus ‘Cascade’ HOPS: Fast growing vine produces flowers in summer that are used to make beer. 15′ tall. One of the most popular varieties in craft brewing. Full sun to part shade. Zone 4.
New! Humulus lupulus ‘Willamette’ HOPS: Our customers have asked for another variety of hops, and this one has a pleasant mild fruity aroma . Very popular for craft brewing pale ale. Disease resistant and hardy to Zone 4.
Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major Wheeler’ HONEYSUCKLE: If you want a vine for hummingbirds, this is one of the best. Tubular red flowers cover this vine in June and repeats through the rest of the summer. Zone 4.