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Natural Areas

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Dept Director

Fort Collins' Native Plants

What Are Native Plants?


Plants native to Fort Collins are adapted to our rainfall, temperatures, and soil types. In landscaped areas, native plants generally use less water, are hardier, and are more disease resistant than species native to other regions of Colorado, the United States, or other countries. Planting native species encourages the presence of native insects and microorganisms that benefit the plants and keep them healthy without the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Why Plant Natives?

Re-establishing native species in the urban environment adds food, cover, and nesting sites for native wildlife. These urban plantings also offer refuges and seed banks for native plants, promoting the spread of these species to natural areas (versus promoting the spread of introduced plants, some of which can seriously impact natural areas). A backyard composed primarily of native plants becomes an interacting changing landscape that offers a glimpse into the complexities of the natural world and a haven for native songbirds and other wildlife.

For more information, see Fort Collins Native Plants. (PDF format, 2MB) and Tips for Native Seed Establishment (PDF 2MB)

Come visit the native plant garden at the Natural Areas Department's offices, 1745 Hoffman Mill Road (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Nix Native Plant Garden brochure.

Design and planning tips are the focus of Welcome to the World of Backyard Wildlife Habitat (originally a brochure that is now out of print. The website features the brochure text).

Wildflowers In Natural Areas

Are you interested in what is blooming and identifying plants? During the warm months, volunteers produce wildflower handouts for Soapstone Prairie. They also maintain the trailhead bulletin boards at Cathy Fromme Prairie.

Volunteers Are Making A Difference: Finding Hidden Jewels

Are rare plants hiding in Fort Collins? Dedicated volunteers and Natural Areas Department staff are working hard for conservation through the identification of rare plants. If a rare or historic plant is found it will be protected, thus leading to the protection of surrounding habitat. During field season, the team searched for plants daily. The results are amazing. Read more >>>