Spring has sprung in Brighton Crossings, and the summer’s heat (and afternoon showers) are setting in. That’s a good reason to explore which low-water native plants for Colorado are best in your garden.

Colorado’s summer can also mean higher electricity and water bills, wilting gardens, and browning lawns. That’s why it’s time to explore a new home at Brighton Crossings that is more energy-efficient than the typical resale home and comes packed with a roster of community amenities meant to make every day a great day.

Yet there are easy and beautiful ways to update and upgrade your yards to make them your new home’s outdoor oasis. Connect yourself with nature and soak in the relaxation.

And if you’re a resident, grab the latest Crossings Times from your doorstep and bring the coupon inside to the Venture Center during staffed hours to pick up free seed packets.

Here are ideas for low-water-need, sustainable, and native to Colorado plants to fill your new home’s gardens while decreasing your carbon footprint (and helping the environment).

Perennials

• Common yarrow;
• Fringed sage,
• Prairie sage,
• White-tufted evening primrose;
• Starflower;
• Desert four o’clock;
• Blue mist penstemon;
• Canada Goldenrod.

Groundcovers

• Spready daisy (perennial);
• Sulphurflower (perennial);
• Creeping mahonia (shrub);
• Winecups (perennial);
• Pussytoes (perennial);
• Gro-low fragrant sumac (shrub).

Cacti, Succulents & Shrubs

• Prickly pear cactus;
• Plains yucca succulent;
• Serviceberry shrub;
• Smoothsumac;
• Western wild rose;
• Golden currant;
• Rubber rabbitbrush;
• Snowberry.

Grasses & Trees

• Side-oats grama;
• Blue grama;
• Little bluestem;
• Indian rice grass;
• Rocky mountain maple;
• Ponderosa pine;
• Pinon pine;
• Gambel oak;
• Rocky mountain juniper.

Before planting to your heart’s desire, we recommend that residents check with the Brighton Crossings Design Review Committee and landscape guidelines for which plants are best for our neighborhood.

Learn more about these plants via the Colorado State University Extension’s plant list and resource guide to find what’s best for you.

Let’s start planting!