Curlleaf mountain mahogany
Cercocarpus ledifolius
Curlleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 10 to 20 ft tall and 8 to 15 ft wide, slow-growing, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Evergreen native large shrub / small tree. Iconic foothills silhouette. Feathery silver seed plumes.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow water10 to 20 ft tall and 8 to 15 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Rick Mandel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rick Mandel
- Photo 2: (c) Elliott Gordon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Elliott Gordon
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 10 to 20 ft tall and 8 to 15 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~15 ft apart (10 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Slow
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Ignitable (CSU): keep 30+ ft from the house, thinned
Things to know before you plant
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Planting & establishment
Slow to establish, patient watering first 2 summers. Bulletproof after.
- Fruit: ornamental.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Curlleaf mountain mahogany good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Curlleaf mountain mahogany is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Curlleaf mountain mahogany?
- The main things to know: It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Curlleaf mountain mahogany get?
- It matures to about 10 to 20 ft tall and 8 to 15 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Curlleaf mountain mahogany?
- Space Curlleaf mountain mahogany about 15 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 10 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Curlleaf mountain mahogany hardy on the Front Range?
- Curlleaf mountain mahogany is hardy in USDA 3 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Curlleaf mountain mahogany need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Curlleaf mountain mahogany grow?
- Curlleaf mountain mahogany is a slow-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Curlleaf mountain mahogany native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Curlleaf mountain mahogany deer-resistant?
- Curlleaf mountain mahogany is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Curlleaf mountain mahogany a good firewise plant near the house?
- Curlleaf mountain mahogany is listed by CSU Extension among the more ignitable plants, so keep it 30 or more feet from the house and keep it thinned and well maintained. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), 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.
Find Curlleaf mountain mahogany near you
See also
- Drought-tolerant shrubs for Colorado's Front Range
- Colorado native shrubs for the Front Range
- Privacy and hedge shrubs for Colorado
- Deer-resistant plants and shrubs for Colorado's Front Range
- Native plants of Colorado for Front Range yards
- Xeriscape plants for Colorado
- Hail-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
