Perennials for high altitude regions have to be tough. They need to like cooler summer temps, strong, sweeping winds and intense sunlight. Plus, the soils are usually thin and lack moisture-holding humus the higher you go. All the plants on this list have been shown to tolerate altitudes of up to 8000 feet, but remember to give them some extra water and protection from sun and wind the first year as they get established.
| Plant Name | Bloom | Light | Height/Width | Cold/Heat Zones | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine aster Aster alpinus |
Pink or lavender flowers in late spring | Full sun | 6 to 12 in./ 8 to 18 in. |
3 to 8/ 8 to 1 |
Tolerates wind and drought; intolerant of wet soil in winter. |
| Balloon flower Platycodon grandiflorus |
Blue, pink or white flowers in summer | Full sun to part shade | 6 to 36 in./ 12 to 18 in. |
3 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
May need staking in windy areas. Intolerant of wet soil. |
| Bergenia Bergenia cordifolia |
Red, pink or white flowers in midspring | Full sun to part shade | 8 to 24 in./ 12 to 24 in. |
3 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
Tolerates wind and drought. |
| Black snakeroot Actaea racemosa |
Tall spikes of white or pale pink flowers in mid- to late summer | Part shade | 4 to 6 ft./ 2 to 4 ft. |
3 to 8/ 8 to 1 |
Tolerates high altitudes because it prefers the cool summer temperatures. |
| Boltonia Boltonia asteroides |
White or pale pink flowers in late summer into fall | Full sun | 4 to 6 ft./ 2 to 3 ft. |
4 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
Tall stems stand strong in stiff winds. |
| Brunnera Brunnera macrophylla |
Blue flowers in midspring | Part shade | 12 to 18 in./ 15 to 24 in. |
3 to 7/ 7 to 1 |
Tolerates wind but prefers some protection from hot sun. |
| Bugleweed Ajuga reptans |
Spikes of blue, pink or white in midspring | Full sun to part shade | 4 to 6 in./ 10 to 24 in. |
3 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
Tolerates wind and drought. |
| Columbine meadow rue Thalictrum aquilegiifolium |
Fuzzy lavender flowers in early summer | Light shade | 2 to 3 ft./ 2 to 3 ft. |
5 to 8/ 8 to 1 |
Tolerates wind but may need extra moisture. |
| Garden phlox Phlox paniculata |
Fragrant white, lavender, red or purple flowers in mid- to late summer | Full sun | 12 to 48 in./ 12 to 36 in. |
4 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
Tolerant of wind and strong sun, although dark-colored flowers will fade quickly. |
| Geum Geum chiloense |
Orange and yellow flowers in early summer | Full sun | 15 to 30 in./ 15 to 18 in. |
4 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
Tolerates drought and wind; intolerant of wet soil in winter. |
| Lamb’s ear Stachys byzantina |
Purple spikes in early summer, but usually grown for the felted gray leaves | Full sun | 8 to 12 in./ 12 to 18 in. |
4 to 8/ 8 to 1 |
Tolerates wind and drought. |
| Lungwort Pulmonaria longifolia |
Shades of pink, blue or white flowers in early to midspring | Part shade | 6 to 12 in./ 12 to 24 in. |
3 to 8/ 8 to 1 |
Tolerates wind and drought. |
| Maltese cross Lychnis chalcedonica |
Bright orange red flowers in summer | Full sun | 36 to 48 in./ 18 to 24 in. |
3 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
Tolerant of heat but can flop in windy spots. Needs humus in the soil to keep the roots moist. |
| Monkshood Aconitum napellus |
Shades of blue, purple or white in mid- to late summer | Part shade | 2 to 4 ft./ 1 to 2 ft. |
3 to 7/ 7 to 1 |
Tolerant of wind, but does best with extra moisture; plant will be shorter in dry conditions. |
| Obedient plant Phystostegia virginiana |
Pink or white flowers in mid summer to fall | Full sun | 18 to 48 in./ 24 to 36 in. |
3 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
Tolerant of drought and wind. Best in poor soil, rich soils grow weak floppy stems. |
| Penstemon Penstemon spp. and hybrids |
Violet, purple, red, pink or white flowers in summer | Full sun | 4 to 72 in./ 10 to 36 in. |
3 to 10/ 10 to 1 |
Tolerant of drought. |
| Perennial geranium Geranium spp. and hybrids |
Blue, pink or white flowers | Full sun to part shade | 6 to 36 in./ 6 to 36 in. |
3 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
Tall varieties may flop in windy locations. Tolerates full sun in the cool summer temperatures at high altitudes, needs shade in hotter areas. |
| Pink coreopsis Coreopsis rosea |
Pink flowers in summer | Full sun | 12 to 24 in./ 18 to 30 in. |
3 to 8/ 8 to 1 |
Tolerates wind, but needs moist, well-drained soil. |
| Spiderwort Tradescantia hybrid |
Violet, blue, red or white flowers in late spring or early summer | Full sun to part shade | 15 to 24 in./ 15 to 24 in. |
3 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
Tolerant of wind and drought. |
| Spike blazingstar Liatris spicata |
Spikes of purple in midsummer | Full sun | 18 to 48 in./ 18 to 24 in. |
4 to 9/ 9 to 1 |
Tolerates wind and drought, intolerant of wet soil in winter. |
