Frequently Asked Questions About Sundance Gardens

High-altitude gardening refers to growing plants in elevated mountain regions where the climate is very different from lower elevations. You’ll see:

• Intense sun exposure
• Shorter growing seasons
• Cooler nights
• Dry air and rapidly changing weather
• Wildlife considerations (hello deer, elk, squirrels!)

Because gardening at elevation comes with unique challenges, plant selection matters more than ever.

Plants grow slower at high elevation because of several factors. Lower air pressure, which reduces carbon dioxide and increases water loss; shorter growing seasons due to cooler temperatures and frost; and challenges with thin, low-organic-matter soils and potential dehydration from winds.

New shrubs and trees often follow a “sleep, creep, leap” cycle, meaning they take time to establish and grow. For the first few years, new plantings focus on root development, so they may not show significant above-ground growth at first. You can support them by watering—especially young trees and shrubs—and reducing their drip lines after about 4–5 years, as their needs change and they become more established. Be patient with new plantings, especially native ones, and understand that a “messy” or “underdeveloped” appearance in the early years is normal as they establish themselves.

The primary reason some elk eat plants considered "deer-resistant" is that no plant is truly "elk-proof" or "deer-proof." The term simply means it is less desirable. The most significant contributing factor to a deer or elk eating your deer-resistant plants is hunger and availability of natural forage. This is evident during periods of drought, severe winter conditions, or high population density. Elk will eat almost any available plant to avoid starvation, including species they would normally avoid. Additionally, feeding habits can be localized. Some individual animals or specific herds may develop a preference for a particular plant that their counterparts in another area ignore. A group of elk that frequently passes through a specific residential area (a daily path) may browse plants in that yard that are untouched in a neighbor's yard, or in a different region. An elk's diet varies dramatically by season too. They may ignore a plant during the lush summer months but heavily browse it during the winter when their preferred food sources, like fresh grasses and forbs, are scarce.

No need to wait for spring, we don’t close for the winter!
Because we’re located in the mountains, many people assume we shut down once the snow starts falling... but Sundance Gardens stays open all year long to support your home, garden, and indoor-plant needs.

Winter Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Christmas Eve: Closing early at 2 PM
Christmas Day & December 26: Closed

Whether you’re shopping for gifts, indoor plants, holiday décor, or prepping for next year’s garden, we’re here for you throughout the winter season.

We’re mountain locals ourselves, which means we understand exactly what will thrive here, and what won’t. Our team hand-selects every plant, shrub, tree, and perennial with high-altitude performance in mind. We stock cold-hardy, sun-tolerant, wildlife-resistant varieties that are proven to do well in our specific elevation and climate.

Whether you're new to gardening in the mountains or a seasoned expert, our staff is always happy to help you choose plants that will succeed in your space.