What Plants Grow Well at High Altitude?

Trees

• Trees with small, rather than broad, leaves tend to require less water, a characteristic that helps them thrive in dry, high-altititude sites. Several smaller leaved maples (Acer spp.) thrive at elevations above 8,500 feet: the amur (A. ginnala) and tatarian (A. tataricum) are both hardy to USDA Plant Hardiness zone 3 and grow slowly to 20 feet tall. These deciduous trees have colorful fall foliage and tolerate dry soil, drought, wind and full sun to partial shade. The limber pine (Pinus flexilis) grows at elevations to 10,000 feet. This evergreen is hardy in zones 4 through 7 and grows to 60 feet tall. It has dark, blue-green needles and produces large cones. Another evergreen, the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) can grow at elevations up to 11,000 feet. This fast-growing tree has soft, dark foliage and is hardy in zones 4 through 6. It grows to 150 feet tall and prefers sunny sites with moist, well-draining soil.

Shrubs

• Use hardy shrubs to create wind blocks for other, less tolerant plants. The Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) grows at elevations up to 8,000 feet and is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8. This deciduous shrub grows to 6 feet tall with a 7-foot spread and tolerates drought. It turns red-to-orange in fall and produces wildlife-attracting red berries. Hardy in zones 5 through 8 and at elevations up to 9,000 feet, the creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) forms a 2-foot-tall hedge of spreading, blue-green foliage. This evergreen tolerates drought, sun and a variety of soil types.

Flowers

• Since bloom time is delayed for four days for every 400-foot rise in elevation, choose early-blooming species for the best results. The marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), a perennial wildflower, grows to 2 feet tall and blooms in spring with waxy yellow flowers. It tolerates damp soils and has edible foliage. The mountain bluet (Centaurea Montana) grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, this perennial blooms in spring with blue, fringed blossoms. It resists deer and grows from 1 to 2 feet tall. Both grow above 7,500 feet.

Ground Covers

• Choose ground covers that tolerate the poor, rocky soil often found in mountain landscapes and are hardy to USDA zones 2 through 4. Ground covers for gardens above 7,500 feet include wooly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa). Hardy in zones 3 through 8, this fast-growing evergreen has aromatic gray foliage and blooms with bright yellow flowers. It tolerates drought and poor soil and thrives in sunny sites. Another evergreen, periwinkle (Vinca minor), grows to 8,000 feet. It blooms with bright-blue flowers and has glossy, dark foliage. It thrives in shady sites and is hardy in zones 4 through 8.