Mountain mahogany
Cercocarpus montanus
Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Iconic foothills native. Silvery feathery seed plumes catch light. Slow but durable.
Colorado nativelow water6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Cercocarpus montanus
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- sandy, loam, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- low
- Good for
- slope, south wall
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first 2 summers — slow to establish. Once rooted, needs no supplemental water.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Mountain mahogany good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Mountain mahogany is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Mountain mahogany get?
- It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide.
- How much water does Mountain mahogany need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Mountain mahogany native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
