(COLORADO) — Get out the pruning shears, because now is a good time to start planning your Southern Colorado garden.

According to meteorologists, the ideal time to plant for this area is after Memorial Day. Past climatological data shows we typically see frosts last anywhere from the middle to the end of May. You can find out more about the best time to plant here.

Horticulturalists suggest the best plants to put in your garden are drought tolerant plants that are native to Colorado. Kelly Bull, a Southern Colorado permacultural landscape designer, recommends plants that work together with other plants to create the best ecosystem for your garden to thrive.

Below you’ll find some of the top 3 plants that will grow well in our climate here in Southern Colorado.

Black-Eyed Susans

A great cutflower plant that not only looks nice but actually pulls toxins out of your soil.

Chokecherries

This type of bush is beneficial in that it attracts multiple types of butterflies to your garden and encourages more beneficial insect life. A normal butterfly bush encourages one type of butterfly while chokecherries attract more than 200 types of butterflies to your garden. It also produces edible berries that ripen July and August.

Elderberries

This bush not only produces berries you can make jam with that can be used for medicinal purposes, it also is a great plant to attract pollinators to your yard.

Good luck with your planting this year, and remember you can send any pictures of your garden to the FOX21 Weather App.