They probably can't survive the average Colorado winter. Could be a place in the southeast or southwest portion of the state but chances are low.

If you find interest in annuals and perennials, the deserts are known for their spectacular bursts of color after a wet spring. I live in the central valley, and am growing several natives from the deserts south and east of us. Left to fend on their own, they are quick to bloom and set seed, but with a little irrigation, you can keep them blooming longer. Some of the ones that come to mind are Penstemon Barbatus, Penstemon Pinifolius, Gilia Subnuda, several delphiniums and Agastache rupestris. There is a great variety of plants you can choose from, but it will be difficult to find them at a nursery. You may need to find a seed source and grow them from seed yourself (that is what I had to do.) It's fairly easy and fun! Good luck! *I can't post the names of the seed companies i purchased the seed from, but if you shoot me an email, I'll forward you the page.

Check out the thread linked below. It's a few years old but Timberline Gardens linked in that thread is still probably your best bet for information in Denver! Skybird Here is a link that might be useful: Joshua Tree Yucca thread!

How long they take to bear fruit depends on what type they are. Fall bearing raspberries (like Caroline & Anne) bear fruit on this year's canes so I will have some fruit this fall. I can't remember if they will bear a light crop next summer on the same canes as well - I'll have to look up when to prune them. Those canes will die and need to be pruned out. The patch will continue to grow as the plants send out suckers and fill in the area. Summer bearing plants (like my Canby and Triple Crowns) bear fruit on one year old canes. I got a couple of berries from my Canby this year and have a few trying to ripen on the Triple Crown as well - they are growing on the part of the plant that was above ground when I planted them this spring. Next year's berries will grow on the canes that grew this summer. If you have summer bearing plants, you'll likely need to bend down the canes (though Triple Crown may be too thick) and mulch them or if they don't bend, try to shelter them somewhat from the dry winter winds to protect next summer's crop. If those canes die, no fruit for you next summer! Also, Caroline and Anne aren't thornless although my Anne bushes don't seem to have very many thorns. I would like to try some black raspberries too but I think it's advised to plant them quite a ways from the reds. I can't remember exactly why, but it may be a disease issue. I'm waiting on getting those for a little while.