Mountain Planting Guide
Best Plants for Park City and Midway
Gardening at higher elevation comes with a unique set of challenges, and choosing the best plants for Park City and Midway means accounting for cold winters, a shorter growing season, and intense mountain sun. This guide from Country Gardens and Nursery covers plant choices well suited to the mountain climate found throughout Park City and Midway.
Cold hardy / Sun tolerant / Short season ready
Growing at Elevation
What Makes Gardening in Park City and Midway Different
Park City and Midway both sit at higher elevation than much of the surrounding region, which affects growing conditions in a few key ways. Nights can stay cool even in summer, the growing season is shorter than in lower-elevation areas, and intense sun at altitude can stress plants that aren't suited to it.
Because of this, the best plants for Park City and Midway tend to be varieties known for cold hardiness and adaptability to fluctuating temperatures.
Five Hardy Choices
Best Perennials for Park City and Midway
Hardy perennials are a strong foundation for mountain landscaping, returning year after year despite cold winters:
Yarrow
A tough, drought-tolerant perennial that handles cold winters and intense sun well, with long-lasting blooms in a range of colors.
Russian Sage
Known for its silvery foliage and purple blooms, Russian sage is well suited to the dry, sunny conditions common in mountain landscapes.
Catmint
A hardy, low-maintenance perennial that tolerates cold winters and offers long blooming color through the summer.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
A resilient perennial that handles temperature swings well and attracts pollinators throughout the growing season.
Daylilies
Known for their hardiness across a wide range of climates, daylilies are a reliable, colorful option for mountain gardens.
Four Structural Shrubs
Best Shrubs for Park City and Midway
Shrubs add structure to a landscape and, when chosen well, hold up to the cold winters typical of this area:
Potentilla
A cold-hardy flowering shrub that blooms over a long season and tolerates the temperature swings common at higher elevation.
Spirea
A reliable, cold-tolerant shrub that offers clusters of flowers and works well for borders or mass plantings.
Lilac
A classic mountain-climate shrub known for its cold hardiness and fragrant spring blooms.
Juniper Varieties
Many juniper varieties are well adapted to cold, dry mountain conditions and provide year-round structure and color.
Three Mountain Trees
Best Trees for Park City and Midway
Trees suited to mountain climates need to withstand cold winters, wind, and a shorter growing season:
Aspen
A regional favorite known for its cold hardiness and seasonal color, aspen groves are a familiar part of the local mountain landscape.
Blue Spruce
A cold-hardy evergreen that provides year-round structure and is well adapted to mountain climates.
Mountain Ash
Known for handling cold temperatures well, mountain ash also offers seasonal berries and fall color.
Site by Site
Choosing Plants for Sun, Soil, and Elevation
The best plants for Park City and Midway also depend on the specific conditions of your property. A few things to consider include:
Sun Exposure
Mountain sun can be more intense than at lower elevations, so plants placed in full sun should be able to tolerate strong UV exposure.
Soil Type
Soil composition can vary across mountain properties, and testing your soil can help determine which plants will establish most successfully.
Microclimates
Areas near buildings, slopes, or windbreaks can have different growing conditions than the rest of the yard, which may allow for slightly less hardy plants in protected spots.
Watering Needs
Even cold-hardy, drought-tolerant plants need consistent watering while getting established, particularly during their first growing season.
Local Guidance
Visit Country Gardens and Nursery
Choosing the best plants for Park City and Midway depends on your specific property, elevation, and sun exposure. The team at Country Gardens and Nursery can help you select plants suited to the local mountain climate and design a landscape built to last through cold winters and short growing seasons.
Get Started
Contact Country Gardens and Nursery
If you're planning a landscape for a Park City or Midway property, visit or contact Country Gardens and Nursery today. Our team can help you choose plants that are well suited to the local climate and your specific site.