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native plant collection

Penstemon angustifolius colorado native plant at Denver Botanic GardensThe Native Plant collection is subdivided into the following sub-collections.

Colorado Native Collection:
Defined as those plants which are known to occur naturally (pre-European settlement) within the borders of Colorado, but not necessarily exclusive to Colorado.

Western North American Native Collection:
Defined as those plants native (pre-European settlement) to other regions of Western North America, but not found naturally within the borders of Colorado.

The table below shows the families with the most genera, species and subspecies represented from Colorado and Western North America (not Colorado).

Family
Colorado
Western North America
Genera
Species and Subspecies
Genera
Species and Subspecies
Agavaceae    
6
115
Alliaceae    
4
20
Apiaceae
4
5
   
Asclepiadaceae
1
9
   
Asteraceae
49
124
49
103
Boraginaceae
4
6
   
Brassicaceae
5
17
8
19
Cactaceae
6
31
16
170
Caryophyllaceae
4
6
   
Crassulaceae    
4
14
Cuppressaceae    
5
15
Cyperaceae
4
12
3
14
Ericaceae    
4
14
Fabaceae
16
48
17
54
Fagaceae    
1
31
Junaceae
2
6
   
Lamiaceae
5
9
9
39
Liliaceae
4
6
4
15
Onagraceae
5
18
5
22
Pinaceae
4
11
4
16
Poaceae
32
51
9
19
Polemoniaceae
6
13
   
Ploygonaceae
4
18
3
39
Portulacaceae    
4
18
Rananculaceae
7
21
5
16
Rosaceae
18
38
18
34
Salicaceae
2
11
   
Scrophulariaceae
6
65
14
124

The Native Plant Collection is displayed in a broad range of garden styles with diverse content for visitors to experience, from Alpines to plants of the low deserts. Collections of Penstemon, Yucca, Quercus, Pinus, and the families Cactaceae and Poaceae are especially strong.

garden spotlight

A shift in seasons is bringing significant change to Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield:

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield - new amphitheatre re-grade

  • A new amphitheatre is being
    re-graded to provide a better experience for concert-goers with new grass, a wildflower meadow and shade trees. A permanent stage is being built and will be completed in time for the 2009 concert season.

  • Check out our new Deer Creek Discovery children’s area, which includes a whimsical tree house.  

Learn about construction at our
York Street location ››