- Why does high altitude matter for plants?<\/a><\/li>
- Plants that thrive at high elevations<\/a>
- 1. Alpine aster<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Bergenia<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Bleeding heart<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Delphinium<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Lupine<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Yarrow<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Sedum<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Garden Phlox<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Boltonia<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Columbine<\/a><\/li>
- 11. Blanket flower<\/a><\/li>
- 12. Dogwood Tree<\/a><\/li>
- 13. Cotoneaster<\/a><\/li>
- 14. Mountain pansy<\/a><\/li>
- 15. Lilacs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Why does high altitude matter for plants?<\/span><\/h2>
Altitude is an important factor in plant ecology. High elevations are exposed to rough weather and harsh growing conditions for plants. Slopes are generally hard to keep watered, but with sweeping winds, intense sunlight, low temperatures, and shorter growing seasons, it can be tough to maintain a nice landscape. <\/p>
A few factors that affect plant growth at high elevations include:<\/p>
- Low temperatures<\/strong> caused by lots of air movement, drier wind, and low air pressure slows down plant growth. Some plants will even stop growing in the winter. Colder air and low soil temperatures also lead to a short growing season. <\/li>
- Strong sunlight and high radiation levels <\/strong>because of thinner air in higher landscapes create an unfavorable environment for plants to grow. The scorching sun shines longer at high elevations and the high solar radiation, UV-B and UVA, levels can cause significant tissue damage. <\/li>
- Low oxygen levels <\/strong>directly impact root growth. Plants need oxygen for aerobic respiration and having a limited supply will cause stress.<\/li>
- High precipitation <\/strong>due to the air\u2019s inability to retain moisture creates a highly humid environment.<\/li>
- Limited nutrition <\/strong>because of low temperatures and unfriendly soil conditions greatly affects plant growth. <\/li>
- Long-lasting snowpacks <\/strong>prolong the inactive period for plants and ultimately weaken the root system. <\/li>
- Strong winds <\/strong>increase evaporation and break plant stems and branches. High-speed winds also decrease the humidity levels and cause moisture stress as the plants start losing water faster. <\/li><\/ul>
Plants that thrive at high elevations<\/span><\/h2>
It\u2019s safe to say that the higher you go, the tougher it gets. But despite its sparse and rocky reputation, high-altitude landscaping is pretty manageable if you choose the right kind of plants that have evolved to be hardy enough to survive in high altitudes. Here are 15:<\/p>
1. Alpine aster<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Aster\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_asters-g008623b9b_1280.jpg\")
manfredrichter<\/a> | Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> A member of the aster family, the alpine aster is an excellent choice for a mountain garden. This plant produces short-lived blooms that range from blue, pink, and purple to white and gray. <\/p>
They appear somewhat similar to their relative daisies as they grow a single flower per stalk rather than forming bunches or clusters. They prefer dry, well-drained soil but do well in generally poor soil conditions, too. <\/p>
Alpine asters should be planted at least a foot apart to allow adequate airflow and growth room. They also do great under drought-like conditions but don\u2019t like humidity. <\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Aster alpinus<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>8-12 inches<\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun and well-drained soil<\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>4-7<\/li><\/ul>
2. Bergenia<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Gabion](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/gabion-planter-800.jpg\")
beekeepx<\/a> | iStock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Mountainous areas get constant sun exposure in some spots and very little in others, thanks to the rugged terrain. Bergenia, nicknamed pig squeak, is an excellent choice for low-light areas but it\u2019s a hardy plant that would do just fine in the sun, too. <\/p>
Bergenia produces clumps of small bell-shaped flowers that are usually pink in color. The flowers have thick stems that stand up well to high-speed winds at high altitudes. This plant doesn\u2019t need much moisture to grow, hence it can handle drought longer. <\/p>
It thrives in the poor soil conditions of higher elevations mainly because it doesn\u2019t require nutritious soil to grow. <\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Bergenia<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>1-2 feet tall <\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Partial to no shade <\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>4-8<\/li><\/ul>
3. Bleeding heart<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Bleeding](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/rsz_bleeding-heart-g37c607ac5_1280.jpg\")
Bru-nO<\/a> | Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> The bleeding heart plant creates beautiful arching stems with heart-shaped red or pink blooms. This plant is a shade lover, but it can tolerate the added sunlight and cooler temperatures of high altitudes. <\/p>
Bleeding hearts like to grow in consistently damp soil. And since the wind and cold quickly dry up the soil at high elevations, you should add mulch and compost around the plant to enhance quality and lock in moisture. It looks like a delicate plant, but it is relatively tough. All you have to do is keep it dry in the winters and watered through mid-summer till the fall. <\/p>
Bleeding hearts pairs up nicely with plants like bergenia, a late bloomer, which is another shade-loving plant. <\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Dicentra<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>2-3 feet<\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Full or partial sun and moist, damp soil<\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>3-9<\/li><\/ul>
4. Delphinium<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Delphinium\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_delphinium_oxysepalum_a5.jpg\")
Wikimedia<\/a> | CC-BY-SA-3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Delphinium is for people who like high-maintenance plants. It requires more care than the other hardy plants on the list but still thrives in high-altitude landscapes. This plant grows thickly clustered flowers with long stalks that make it an attractive focal point in any garden.<\/p>
It\u2019s super tolerant of the cold, one of the reasons it works great at higher elevations. The only challenge with the delphinium plant is that its stalks are hollow and need support to stand against the brutal winds. It also requires regular watering and nutrient-rich soil. <\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Delphinium elatum <\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Flowering herbaceous perennial <\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>Up to 6 feet<\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun with nutrient-rich, moist soil<\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>3-7 <\/li><\/ul>
5. Lupine<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Lupine\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_48083059432_519cd63b92_c.jpg\")
Paul<\/a> | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Lupin features spiky foliage that packs its blossoms in. Belonging to the pea family, these plants do really well on mountainsides as they need cooler temperatures to grow. Lupins do not mind low-nutrient soil and bright sun. They practically take care of themselves and survive all the high-altitude roughness very elegantly. <\/p>
Note: This plant is toxic to many animals and humans and should be kept out of reach of children and pets. <\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Lupinus<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Can be grown both as annuals and perennials<\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>1-4 feet tall<\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun and cool environment<\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>4-9 <\/li><\/ul>
6. Yarrow<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Yarrow\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_1024px-common_yarrow_achillea_millefolium.jpg\")
Wikimedia<\/a> | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Yarrow is one of the few herbs that thrives in high-altitude landscapes. This type of plant loves loamy, dry soil and is generally very low maintenance. Even if you forget about them after planting, they\u2019ll survive just fine.<\/p>
In fact, yarrow thrives so well in high altitudes and poor soil that it can quickly invade your entire garden. It produces tiny blooms and is mostly used as a medicinal herb. <\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Achillea millefolium<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>1-3 feet<\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun and cool environment<\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>3-9<\/li><\/ul>
7. Sedum<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Sedum\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_6951968603_024eb14d72_c.jpg\")
Maja Dumat<\/a> | Flickr<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Just like yarrow, sedum is a pretty low-maintenance plant for your high-altitude garden. The other name for these flowers is stonecrop, which says a lot about how hardy this plant is. It comes from a large group of plants and has a huge variance. <\/p>
Some types will grow as groundcovers, some grow tall, while others vary in their hardiness. So, it\u2019s easier to find a sedum plant that does well with intense light, cold winds, and dry soil higher up. <\/p>
It is an excellent choice for beginners or people who just want to give their high-altitude gardens a try. <\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Sedum<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>1-3 feet tall<\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun and cool environment<\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>3-10<\/li><\/ul>
8. Garden Phlox<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Garden](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/garden-phlox_800.jpg\")
Stefan<\/a> | Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> High altitude means rough winters, but the summers can also be brutal because of direct, long hours of sun exposure. Garden phlox is one of the few plants that does well in the cold and survives under a hot sun without wilting away.<\/p>
It produces small flowers in clusters forming a large sphere atop a stem. The variety of colors, ranging from white, pink, yellow, and purple to hues of blue and purple will add a pop of color to any garden. <\/p>
Garden phlox is an attractive plant for visiting animals and might need a little care and attention because it\u2019s susceptible to powdery mildew. <\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Phlox paniculata<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>2-4 feet tall <\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun and well-drained soil<\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>4-8<\/li><\/ul>
9. Boltonia<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Boltonia\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_boltonia_asteroides_nana_4zz.jpg\")
Wikimedia<\/a> | CC-BY-SA-4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> This plant is also known as false aster. It\u2019s an excellent pick for high altitudes because boltonia does very well in poor soil. Native to the Midwest, this wildflower grows perfectly well in sandy and gravelly soil. It grows wildly in a wide range of climates and is great at taking care of itself.<\/p>
Boltonia makes a late-blooming addition to your high-elevation garden and gets a sea of attractive blooms in late summer and fall. It\u2019s recommended for inexperienced gardeners who are learning the ropes.<\/p>
Once established, boltanias prove to be very resilient. They are drought tolerant and will survive through the toughest weather conditions without dying or wilting away.<\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Boltonia asteroids<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Rhizomatous perennial<\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>3-6 feet tall<\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun or partial shade with moist, rich soil<\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>4-9<\/li><\/ul>
10. Columbine<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Columbine\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_nature-blossom-plant-flower-purple-petal-1391605-pxherecom.jpg\")
Pxhere<\/a> <\/a><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
If you\u2019re worried that high-altitude gardening is only for drab plants, think again. Columbine produces gorgeous flowers in a wide range of colors, and you can choose whichever color complements your garden design the best. From red and yellow to white and blue, there\u2019s a lot to pick from. <\/p>
This short-lived<\/a> perennial grows well in higher areas as they aren\u2019t much tolerant of extremely hot summers. They do not require additional watering once established and are generally easy to maintain. <\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Aquilegia<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>1-3 feet tall<\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun with moist, well-draining soil<\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>3-9<\/li><\/ul>
11. Blanket flower<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Blanket](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_2650771954_6cb483c761_c_1.jpg\")
J. N. Stuart<\/a> | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> The blanket flower is a hybrid of native gaillardias which bears colorful blooms and comes in a wide variety of sizes, variations, and forms. It\u2019s a widely adapted, short-season plant that will survive through heat and drought and all the other challenges of high-elevation gardening. <\/p>
It is an easy-to-grow perennial that forms a slowly spreading mound that eventually \u201cblankets\u201d the area. The blanket bears big showy flowers in all colors throughout the spring and summer months. It attracts pollinators but can be toxic for humans and some animals. <\/p>
- Botanical name: <\/strong>Gallardia <\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- Mature plant size: <\/strong>24-36 inches<\/li>
- Ideal growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun with well-draining soil<\/li>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>3-10 <\/li><\/ul>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Rhizomatous perennial<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Can be grown both as annuals and perennials<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Flowering herbaceous perennial <\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Herbaceous perennial<\/li>
- Plant type: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Strong sunlight and high radiation levels <\/strong>because of thinner air in higher landscapes create an unfavorable environment for plants to grow. The scorching sun shines longer at high elevations and the high solar radiation, UV-B and UVA, levels can cause significant tissue damage. <\/li>
- 2. Bergenia<\/a><\/li>
- Plants that thrive at high elevations<\/a>