Aug. 14, 2025

Native Plants for Fall Color

It may not feel like it, but fall is just around the corner. Plants and trees on the Front Range will start to change color by mid-September, so August is a good time to start adding some fall color to your landscape. Most people associate aspen trees with fall color in the West; but while aspens are beautiful, they typically thrive at elevations over 6,500 feet. However, there are many native plants with vibrant fall colors to choose from depending on your landscape’s needs.  

Shade Tree

Box Elder or Ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo) is native to most of North America. It is a great choice for Front Range landscapes due to its drought-tolerance and ability to withstand extreme temperatures. In the fall, box elder leaves turn dazzling oranges and reds. This variation does not attract box elder bugs.  

Sandcherry plant changing from green to red and orange in the fall.
Small Tree

The Rocky Mountain maple is much smaller than other maples and prefers to be an understory tree. Rocky Mountain maple or Acer glabrum often turns a brilliant red in autumn. Like other maples it can be picky about alkaline soils, so make sure your site conditions will support it or add iron amendments.   

Shrubs

Lots of native shrubs display impressive autumn colors. Three-leaved sumac (Rhus trilobata) and Western sand cherry (Prunus besseyi) both flaunt reds and oranges. Both straight species and cultivars are great low-maintenance plants. Golden Currant can be especially flashy with yellows, oranges and vivid reds. Golden Currant or Ribes aureum is very versatile, doing well in both moderate and low water gardens. Other notable mentions are saskatoon serviceberry and wood’s rose.  

Grasses & Perennials

Native grasses are a good choice for any season in the West. Just about any native grass will add fall interest to your garden, however if you’re after autumn colors big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi) and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) offer hues of red and purple.  For more autumn colors in your landscape, sticky geranium displays bright reds that pack a punch. This low growing perennial has delicate pink flowers most of the summer.  

Native plants are an essential part of western landscapes. Whether in the wild or around our homes they support a vast array of life. Many people chose to live in Northern Colorado for the abundance of natural beauty and a great way to bring that beauty to your home is planting native plants for fall color. Visit the Conservation Gardens to see examples of these plants and more to inspire your fall landscape.