The Utah County Plants & Trees Starter Pack!
Creating a vibrant and thriving garden in Utah County begins with selecting the right plants that can withstand our region's diverse climate and soil conditions. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this guide provides a curated list of recommended plants to serve as a valuable starting point for your garden projects. While these plants have proven to be adaptable and resilient (harder to kill than most), it's essential to keep in mind that every garden is unique, and professional advice can further enhance your gardening success.
I created a Pinterest board for this "starter pack" if you would like to see pictures of all the plants and trees:
Deciduous Trees:
Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred')
Rocky Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum)
Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)
Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii)
Evergreen Trees:
Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)
Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii)
Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis)
Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra)
Evergreen Shrubs:
Dwarf Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo var. mugo)
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia aquifolium)
Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus)
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.)
Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)
Perennial Shrubs:
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa)
Utah Serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis)
Grasses:
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens)
Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora)
Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis)
Indian Ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides)
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Perennial Flowers:
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)
Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata)
Annual Flowers:
Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
Petunia (Petunia spp.)
Perennial Groundcovers:
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Sedum (Sedum spp.)
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)
Whether you're on the shore of Utah Lake or the hills of Draper, incorporating these suggestions into your garden can provide a strong foundation for a beautiful and resilient landscape. However, it's important to note that each garden is unique, and results may vary based on specific site conditions. For additional guidance and to address individual requirements, consulting with a professional planting designer is highly recommended. They can offer personalized advice, consider your specific goals, and help you create a thriving garden that will bring you joy for years to come. Enjoy the process of gardening, and remember to seek professional assistance when needed. Happy gardening!
Editor's Note: Many thanks to Utah State University Extension program for providing many of these suggestions and for all the excellent research they do. I would highly recommend looking them up if you're wanting to learn more.