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, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Fragrant cream flowers spring; feathery plume seedheads in fall; sparse-fueled fire-wise native.
Colorado nativelow water4–8 ft tall and 4–8 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
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
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- 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
- Pollinator value
- high
- Good for
- slope, south wall
Planting & establishment
Slow to establish but extremely drought tolerant once rooted; needs sharp drainage.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Cliffrose good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Cliffrose is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Cliffrose get?
- It matures to about 4–8 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide.
- How much water does Cliffrose need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Cliffrose native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
