Colorado State University has announced its “Top Performing” perennials.

The results of the 2024 CSU Perennial Trial program highlight nine plants that flourished amid harsh winters and arid summers.

“The goal is to basically see how well they perform at higher altitudes, 5,000 feet or so,” said Chad Miller, director of CSU Trial Gardens. “You go from summerlike in the morning, to almost winterlike in the afternoon, with drastic changes. So it really does give the plants a solid test in the environment.”

When selecting the top contenders, researchers review monthly evaluations taken from April to September that report plant performance. Factors can include overall foliage, survival, color, flowering power, disease prevalence and water usage — things a homeowner or gardener would be inte

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