ColoradoScape Make a Plan

Getting trees, shrubs, plants and boulders in the best place always goes better with a solid design.

Observe the sun and shade patterns in your yard. Plants in south-facing areas will typically get more sun and require more water.

Know how tall and wide each plant will be. Be patient — plants need two to three years to be fully established.

Pick Plants

Select plants carefully for Castle Rock’s semi-arid, high desert climate. Use CRconserve.com/PlantFinder to help choose from about 300 plants carefully curated for our climate.

Shrubs come in many different shapes and sizes that can add interest to a design. Splurge on a bigger specimen to use as a focal point.

When using gravel and rock, break the area up with other design elements including boulders, mulched areas and plantings. Plant in both rocked areas and mulched areas. A welldesigned space won’t be a sea of rock.

Consider large boulders to “ground” the landscape design. Think about how boulders appear in nature — group various sizes together.