Best Plants for High Elevation Gardening

Gardening at high elevations presents unique challenges and opportunities. The combination of thinner air, cooler temperatures, intense sunlight, shorter growing seasons, and often rocky or less fertile soils requires gardeners to be selective about the plants they choose. However, with the right plant selections and gardening techniques, high elevation gardening can be incredibly rewarding, offering vibrant blooms, lush greenery, and even fruitful harvests. This article explores the best plants for high elevation gardening, focusing on those that thrive in challenging mountain environments.

Challenges of High Elevation Gardening

Before diving into plant recommendations, it’s important to understand why high elevation gardening is different from gardening at lower altitudes.

1. Cooler Temperatures

At higher altitudes, temperatures are generally cooler year-round. There is a greater risk of frost even in summer months, which limits the growing season length.

2. Intense Sunlight

Solar radiation is stronger due to thinner atmosphere layers. While this can benefit some plants by enhancing photosynthesis, it also increases the risk of sunburn and dehydration for others.

3. Lower Oxygen Levels

Reduced oxygen can impact plant metabolism and growth rates.

4. Winds and Exposure

Mountain regions often have strong winds and less natural shelter, which may physically damage plants or increase water loss through transpiration.

5. Soil Conditions

Soils are often rocky, well-drained but low in organic matter and nutrients.

Understanding these factors helps in choosing plants that are well-adapted to such conditions.

Characteristics to Look For in High Elevation Plants

Cold Hardiness: Ability to withstand frost and freezing temperatures.
Drought Tolerance: Adapted to dry conditions or periods of little water.
Sun Tolerance: Ability to thrive under intense sunlight without leaf scorch.
Wind Resistance: Sturdy structure or low profile to resist wind damage.
Short Growing Season Adaptability: Fast growth and early flowering.
Soil Adaptability: Tolerance for poor or rocky soils.

Best Plants for High Elevation Gardens

Perennials

Perennials are a great investment for high elevation gardens since they return every year with minimal care once established.

1. Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus)

Height: 6-12 inches
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Description: A charming low-growing perennial with daisy-like purple or lavender flowers and yellow centers.
Why It’s Good: Native to mountainous regions; very cold hardy; thrives in rocky soils; drought-tolerant; attracts pollinators.

2. Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea)

Height: 12-24 inches
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Description: Colorado’s state flower, featuring delicate bell-shaped blue and white flowers.
Why It’s Good: Naturally adapted to high elevations; tolerates cold and variable moisture; prefers well-drained soil.

3. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)

Height: 12-18 inches
Bloom Time: Summer through fall
Description: Bright red and yellow daisy-like flowers that resemble a woven blanket.
Why It’s Good: Drought-resistant; thrives in poor soils; long blooming period; attracts butterflies.

4. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)

Height: Varies from 12 inches to 3 feet depending on species
Bloom Time: Late spring to midsummer
Description: Tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, red, and white.
Why It’s Good: Native to mountainous areas; drought-tolerant; attracts hummingbirds; easy to grow in rocky soil.

5. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Height: 24-36 inches
Bloom Time: Summer to early fall
Description: Sturdy plants with large purple daisy-like flowers centered with orange-brown cones.
Why It’s Good: Cold hardy; drought tolerant once established; medicinal uses add extra value.

Shrubs

Shrubs provide structure, privacy, and wildlife habitat in mountain gardens.

1. Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius)

Height: Up to 15 feet (can be pruned smaller)
Description: Evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and feathery seed tails.
Why It’s Good: Extremely drought tolerant; thrives in rocky high elevation soils; provides erosion control.

2. Manzanita (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Height: Low spreading shrub up to 3 feet tall
Description: Evergreen with smooth reddish bark and pink urn-shaped flowers.
Why It’s Good: Native groundcover in many mountainous regions; drought-tolerant; evergreen foliage adds winter interest.

3. Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)

Height: 6–15 feet depending on variety
Description: Deciduous shrub/tree with white spring flowers followed by edible berries.
Why It’s Good: Cold hardy; berries attract birds; adaptable to various soils including rocky ones.

Trees

Choosing trees wisely is crucial since they can take many years to establish but provide shade and windbreaks essential for garden microclimates.

1. Aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Height: Up to 50 feet or more
Description: Known for stunning white bark and leaves that tremble or flutter in the breeze.
Why It’s Good: Native across many mountain ranges; very cold hardy; fast growing.

2. Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii)

Height: Up to 80 feet tall
Description: Conical evergreen with blue-green needles.
Why It’s Good: Thrives at elevations above 7,000 feet; cold tolerant; provides excellent windbreaks.

3. Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva)

Height: Grows slowly but can reach up to 30 feet or more
Description: Ancient tree species known for longevity and twisted gnarled trunk.
Why It’s Good: Exceptionally drought tolerant; survives poor soils and harsh weather conditions common at high elevations.

Vegetables & Herbs

While growing vegetables at high elevations can be challenging due to shortened seasons, certain crops perform well when started indoors or planted early:

Cool Season Vegetables:

Lettuce
Spinach
Radishes
Peas
These vegetables mature quickly and tolerate cooler temperatures.

Herbs:

Many herbs thrive at elevation due to their hardiness:
– Thyme
– Sage
– Chives
These herbs prefer well-drained soil and full sun exposure typical of mountain gardens.

Tips for Success in High Elevation Gardening

Choose the Right Site

Select spots protected from prevailing winds when possible. South-facing slopes get more sun and warmth which can extend your growing season slightly.

Amend Soil Thoughtfully

Mountain soils can be nutrient-poor. Incorporate organic matter like compost annually for improved moisture retention and fertility without compromising drainage.

Use Mulches

Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, reduce erosion from wind and rain, and suppress weeds — all critical factors at higher altitudes.

Water Wisely

Despite often being dry environments, overwatering can be detrimental due to cold soil temperatures which slow root function. Deep but infrequent watering encourages deep root growth for drought resilience.

Start Seeds Early Indoors

For annuals or vegetables with longer maturity times, start seeds indoors before last frost dates using grow lights or sunny windowsills.

Protect from Late Frosts

Use row covers or cloches for tender plants during unexpected cold snaps common at elevation during spring or fall.

Conclusion

High elevation gardening is a fulfilling pursuit demanding thoughtful plant selection attuned to the environment’s unique stresses — cold temperatures, intense sun exposure, wind, short growing seasons, and challenging soil conditions. By choosing hardy natives like alpine asters, columbines, mountain mahogany shrubs, aspens, spruces—and pairing them with resilient vegetables and herbs—you can create a thriving garden that celebrates the beauty of mountainous landscapes year after year.

With patience and care tailored around nature’s rhythms at altitude, gardeners can enjoy vibrant colors, interesting textures, wildlife-friendly habitats, and fresh produce all while conquering the challenges posed by altitude gardening. Embrace the adventure of planting above the treeline or on alpine slopes—the rewards truly bloom with effort!