Botanical Living
ListedDenver, CO
Designs sustainable, water-efficient landscapes for Denver's dry climate using native plants and innovative irrigation.
Find a Pro · Denver, CO
Xeriscape Landscapers in Denver
5 companies in the Denver area advertise xeriscape, native-plant, or water-wise landscaping. Before you call one, here is what the local climate asks of a low-water yard, which rebates are open, and the questions that separate a real xeriscape contractor from a rock-and-weed-fabric crew.
Growing conditions in Denver
- USDA zone (2023)6a[2]80202: -10 to -5°F extreme min.
- Annual precipitation16 inches[1]Denver Water Dept. (downtown)
- Median last frostApr 30[1]32°F, 1991–2020
- Median first frostOct 12[1]32°F, 1991–2020
- Frost-free season165 days[1]
- Station elevation5,230 ft[1]
Semi-arid Front Range city at about 5,200 ft. Precipitation is light (about 16 in. a year) and peaks in May, and the median frost dates are October 12 and April 30.
On the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the ZIP codes we sampled in Denver fall in zone 6a; 80202 (zone 6a) has an average annual extreme minimum of -10 to -5°F. Choose perennials, shrubs, and trees rated at least to zone 6. The median last spring frost (32°F) at Denver Water Dept. (downtown) is Apr 30 and the median first fall frost is Oct 12, a typical frost-free season of about 165 days.
Average annual precipitation is 16 inches (Denver Water Dept. (downtown), 1991–2020), spread across the year with May the wettest month and January the driest. The average high in July is about 91°F and the average low in December is about 21°F, measured at about 5,230 ft.
Denver xeriscape pros
Sorted by tier, then alphabetically. Tiers explained below the list.
- Denver, CO
Denver-based permaculture designer focused on landscaping with native plants and permaculture principles.
- Denver, CO
Custom design/install firm specializing in water-wise landscaping, smart irrigation, and drought-tolerant design with native plants and hardscaping.
Tree of Life Landscapes
ListedDenver, COSpecializes in xeriscaping as a sustainable method designed to conserve water and thrive in Colorado's climate.
Xeris Landscaping
ListedDenver, COOwned by Xeriscaping.com's founderDesigns, builds, and maintains low-water native plant xeriscapes tailored to Denver's microclimates and the Colorado Front Range.
- Listed
A public listing we compiled from the company's own website because it advertises xeriscape or water-wise work. Listed is not an endorsement and we have not reviewed the company's work.
- Claimed
The business owner has claimed the profile and manages its details, photos, and service areas.
- Certified
The company completed the Xeriscaping.com certification course and agreed to our Code of Conduct.
Before you hire: 8 questions to ask a Denver xeriscape contractor
- Will you wait for rebate pre-approval before touching the lawn?
No lawn-replacement rebate is open for most Denver homes right now (see below), but programs reopen. If one does, nearly every program voids the rebate if grass is removed before approval.
- Can I see a written plant list with hardiness zones?
Every plant should be rated to at least zone 6 here. Ask for botanical names, mature size, and water use, and for plant coverage at maturity. Many rebates require 50% or more.
- How will you convert the sprinklers?
Spray heads in a xeriscape waste water and feed weeds. Ask whether planted areas get drip on a separate zone with a filter and pressure regulator, how unused spray heads will be capped, and whether the controller will be reprogrammed or replaced with a smart controller.
- What happens to the sod, and how will you prep the soil?
Ask whether they will cut and haul the sod, smother it, or use herbicide, and what they will add to the soil. Many xeric plants prefer lean soil, so heavy compost everywhere can backfire. Loosening compacted ground after sod removal matters more.
- What mulch, how deep, and is there plastic underneath?
Rock and wood mulch both work, but depth matters: rebate rules in the West commonly call for about 3 inches. Several programs prohibit plastic sheeting, and it starves soil of air and water anyway.
- Will I get a first-year watering schedule?
New xeriscapes are not no-water in year one. Ask for a written establishment schedule by season. Plant container perennials and shrubs after the median last frost (Apr 30), or in early fall at least six weeks before the median first frost (Oct 12) so roots can settle in before the ground freezes.
- Is there a plant warranty, and what voids it?
Get the length (often one season or one year) and the conditions in writing, including whether it covers winter kill and what watering records you need to keep.
- Are you licensed and insured for this work?
Ask for any city or county license your project needs, a current certificate of insurance, and references from xeriscape jobs at least two years old.
Rebates for Denver homeowners
Get pre-approval before you remove any grass. Almost every lawn-replacement program requires photos or an inspection of the living lawn first.
| Program | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Grass Replacement Incentive Program (GRIP) Aurora Water (City of Aurora) | $3 per sq ft for a traditional water-wise landscape; $0.50 per sq ft for a water-wise (native/low-water) grass landscape | Closed for now Between application windows. Next window: Nov 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 (projects due July 31, 2027). |
| Turfgrass Removal discount (delivered through Resource Central) Denver Water | Up to $750 off Resource Central turfgrass removal services (an upfront discount, not a rebate) Cap: $750 per project (2026) | Closed for now All 2026 discounts have been allocated (Denver Water notice dated Mar 28, 2026). Watch this page for 2027. |
| Lawn Replacement Program (Lawn Removal Service and Do-It-Yourself) Resource Central (nonprofit) | Discount depends on your water provider. Listed 2026 partner tiers were $500, up to $750, up to $1,250, $850, and up to $1,200. A CWCB-funded discount of up to $750 was available outside partner areas. | Closed for now Full for 2026; 2027 applications open in spring 2027. |
| Garden In A Box Resource Central (nonprofit) | Check current amount | Closed for now Sold out for 2026; new designs arrive in spring 2027. |
No lawn-replacement rebate for Denver homeowners is open as of September 2026. The table shows what exists and when it may return.
Verified Sep 2026 from each agency's program page.
Low-water plants that suit Denver
From our plant database: hardy to zone 6 and at home in zone 6, driest first. Ask your contractor whether these are in their plan.
Adam's Needle YuccaYucca filamentosaZones 4–10 · Very low water
Apache PlumeFallugia paradoxaZones 4–8 · Very low water
Blanket FlowerGaillardia aristataZones 3–8 · Very low water
Blue GramaBouteloua gracilisZones 3–10 · Very low water
Claret Cup CactusEchinocereus triglochidiatusZones 5–9 · Very low water
Gambel OakQuercus gambeliiZones 4–8 · Very low water
Already listed? Claim your listing.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Denver Water Dept. (downtown) (USC00052223). ncei.noaa.gov
- USDA ARS 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map, by ZIP (80013: 6a, 80031: 6a, 80123: 6a, 80202: 6a, 80220: 6a, 80236: 6a). planthardiness.ars.usda.gov