After a round of freezing temperatures and spring snow across Colorado last week, warmer and more seasonable weather is back along the Front Range. But the recent weather whiplash is a reminder that gardening in Colorado can be unpredictable — especially during spring planting season.
At the same time, much of Colorado remains in drought, leaving many gardeners wondering which plants can better tolerate dry conditions and how to conserve water through the summer months.
So when is it actually safe to plant? Which flowers and vegetables can handle drought?
Colorado Matters senior host Ryan Warner visited Phelan Gardens in Colorado Springs to get answers from Sam Nilsson, the nursery’s head grower. They discussed drought-tolerant plants, vegetables that can handle Colorado heat, and common gardening mistakes to avoid.
What plants are best for Colorado drought conditions?
“This is the best year to start planting natives in your yard. Colorado natives are so drought-tolerant. They are so heat-tolerant, and I wish everybody would plant natives.
There's also a Plant Select program, which (is) also very drought and heat-tolerant, so if you can't find natives as much, the Plant Select program is also a great option to go. They'll still be very lush, beautiful, blooming perennials that will look great in your landscape.
I like Apache plume. She's one of my favorites. Rabbitbrush is another really good one.
And then in the Plant Select program, you've got your classic Denver daisy. And then we have a new one this year, it's called the Moroccan pincushion. She's a little low-growing, matte foliage, and then she shoots up these big pink firework-looking flowers.”
What vegetables and herbs can tolerate Colorado heat?
“Herbs: thyme, oregano, rosemary and sage are really great options. They are all pretty drought tolerant.
And then as far as vegetables go, I’ve heard okra is quite drought-tolerant. I’ve never done it myself, but I’ve heard a lot of people doing that this year. Hot peppers. Chili peppers, they like the heat and drought. They can take that.
And then instead of lettuce, I would try doing Swiss chard and kale. They can take a little bit more drought and heat than your leafy lettuces can.”
What should gardeners avoid planting during a dry year?
“This one makes me a little sad. It’s my favorite thing, but cucumbers, they really take a lot of water. I wouldn’t recommend trying those too much this year.
And then tomatoes can kind of go either way. Cherry tomatoes require less water, so that would be a better option than your big beefsteak tomatoes. But they still like quite a bit of water. Squash.
And then, as far as herbs, basil is your biggest moisture lover, which is also really sad. Everybody loves their basil, but she is a water lover.”
Can drought stress make plants more vulnerable to pests?
“There is a pretty fine line between tolerable drought and not tolerable drought. So kind of letting your plants go a little bit more dry and keeping an eye on them. They might wilt a little bit, but if you catch ’em as they’re wilting, they should be okay.
It’s when you let ’em go way too dry that you might see more pests or diseases coming in. And if you’re doing that very frequently, you definitely can increase the pest and disease risk.”
How often should gardeners water during drought conditions?
“It’s kind of tricky. I’ve been telling people this might be the year that we have to pay a little bit more attention to these plants because again, that fine line of the brink of death versus just a little bit drought-tolerant.
So if you’re used to watering your garden maybe every other day or every two days, try doing it every three to four days. Watering ’em really deeply and then less frequently and just kind of keeping an eye on how long it does take ’em to droop.”
Can stress improve the flavor of peppers?
“Yes. Hot peppers, especially like those chili peppers or any of the just really hot ones, they actually like a little bit of stress.
If you are letting ’em go way too dry, you might see aphids coming in, but they can take a little bit of drought and stress for sure.”
Are fake plants bad for pollinators?
“I don’t think it’s a great idea. The pollinators do see them and they want to come get to them and they just can’t. And they don’t know that until they get there.
So that’s kind of where that opportunity to maybe get some natives or those Plant Select plants in your yard and give those a try. Those will help attract more native pollinators as well.”
What new plant is Sam Nilsson most excited about this year?
“My favorite thing, we’re actually growing it this year, so hopefully within the next couple of weeks, it’ll be ready.
We’re growing a type of echinacea. It’s the Sun Seekers series and they’re just these big pompom, poofy, bright, vibrant flowers. They’re beautiful and I’m so excited to get them.”
Editor's note: Phelan Gardens is a sponsor of KRCC but has no editorial influence.
