Native plants are a cornerstone of Baseline’s design. Perfectly suited to Colorado’s climate and soil, they use far less water than traditional lawns, thrive without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and require minimal maintenance—making them both practical and sustainable. They also support local ecosystems by providing essential food and habitat for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds. But native grasses behave differently than traditional sod lawns, and their appearance changes with the seasons.
Right now, you may notice that native areas don’t look as dense or green as the nearby park lawns—and that’s by design. Park lawns are typically installed using rolls of sod for instant coverage, while native grass areas are seeded and grow in more gradually. With proper care, these grasses naturally reseed themselves each season and become denser over time.
Baseline’s native grass areas are a blend of 20% cool-season and 80% warm-season grasses. In early spring, the cool-season grasses green up first—these are shorter and finer in texture, giving a soft, fresh look. Because these areas are still young, they may appear sparse in April. But they’ll fill in more each year. As temperatures rise in late May and June, the warm-season grasses begin to emerge—taller, with golden-green hues and graceful seed heads. As they take over, the cool-season grasses naturally go dormant. By fall, warm-season grasses shift to shades of amber, bronze, and tan, while cool-season grasses may sprout again with cooler temps.
These seasonal transitions are intentional and reflect the natural rhythms of the prairie. Native grasses aren’t meant to stay lush and green from April to October like traditional turf. Instead, they’re built to be resilient, water-wise, and ecologically beneficial. Their evolving look is part of what makes them beautiful and sustainable.
Seeing weeds? Wondering if you should water? Hold tight—our landscaping crews are on it. Baseline’s native areas are still in the “young plant” phase, and overwatering or trampling can actually slow their progress. Our vendor, Environmental Designs, Inc., is on-site weekly to care for these areas, and a third-party inspector reviews their work monthly. If a resident unintentionally damages the landscaping, it could affect Baseline’s landscape scores and result in penalties for the vendor—so it’s best to let the pros handle it.
We’re excited to have Environmental Designs, Inc. as our new landscape partner. Their expertise in sustainable, Colorado-friendly landscaping makes them a great fit for Baseline. Curious about what the crews do and when they do it? Check out EDI’s landscape maintenance schedule. They’ll also be onsite from time to time for additional care throughout the season.
To learn more about native grasses, see Baseline’s Native Grass FAQs.