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Mountain
perennials: choosing 
Plants for mountainous areas must be able to withstand daily temperature fluctuations of
30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, high summer heat, intense sunlight and cool nights. Water is
one of the most limiting factors for many mountain homeowners with wells.
Several perennials require less water and grow well in Gardens above 8,000 feet in elevation.
One example is ground-hugging plants including white-flowered Mount Atlas daisy and pink thrift. Pair them with the compact varieties of lavender-blooming catnip.
Taller water-wise perennials include oriental poppy
and yellow yarrow.
Mauve-flowered beebalm grows on dry hillsides and does well when planted among other
tall flowers to conceal the spindly stems. Consider support from baby's breath and tall native
daisies.
Drought-tolerant mainstays for mountain Gardens include the deep blue-flowered mountain bluet, orange-yellow blanket flower and white snow-in-summer. Consider planting these with light-green leafed oregano.
For a partially shady spot, try white or blue
bellflowers.
Perennials are a sure-fire way to jump-start the high elevation Gardening season -- and with careful selection, success is easy.
For more information, see the following Colorado State Extension fact sheet(s).
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