Cliffrose
Purshia mexicana
Cliffrose (Purshia mexicana) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4–8 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Fragrant cream flowers spring; feathery plume seedheads in fall; sparse-fueled fire-wise native.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow water4–8 ft tall and 4–8 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Purshia mexicana
- Variety / cultivar
- (species, formerly Cowania mexicana)
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 4–8 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 ft apart (6 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hedge use
- Informal hedge or screen
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- cream, yellow
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Pollinator value
- high
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
Things to know before you plant
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, montane
Planting & establishment
Slow to establish but extremely drought tolerant once rooted; needs sharp drainage.
- Pruning: light.
- Fruit: ornamental.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Cliffrose good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Cliffrose is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Cliffrose?
- The main things to know: It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Cliffrose get?
- It matures to about 4–8 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Cliffrose?
- Space Cliffrose about 8 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 6 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Cliffrose hardy on the Front Range?
- Cliffrose is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Cliffrose need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Cliffrose grow?
- Cliffrose is a slow-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Cliffrose native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Cliffrose deer-resistant?
- Cliffrose is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Cliffrose a good firewise plant near the house?
- Cliffrose is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Cliffrose a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as an informal hedge. Cliffrose works best as a relaxed hedge or screen kept to its natural form rather than sheared into a tight box.
