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, slow-growing, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Iconic foothills native. Silvery feathery seed plumes catch light. Slow but durable.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow water6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wideXeric / water-wiseZones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Cercocarpus montanus" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 2: "Cercocarpus montanus" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 3: "Cercocarpus montanus" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 4: "20210821 Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) prob" by schizoform is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 5: (c) Jo Roberts, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 6: "Cercocarpus montanus" by aspidoscelis is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- sandy, loam, 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)
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10 ft apart (7 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Slow
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Deciduous
What it will do to your yard
- Hedge use
- Informal hedge or screen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills
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
Water deeply 1×/week first 2 summers, slow to establish. Once rooted, needs no supplemental water.
- Fruit: ornamental.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Mountain mahogany good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Mountain mahogany is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting 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 Mountain mahogany get?
- It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Mountain mahogany?
- Space Mountain mahogany about 10 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 7 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Mountain mahogany hardy on the Front Range?
- Mountain mahogany is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Mountain mahogany need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Mountain mahogany grow?
- Mountain mahogany is a slow-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Mountain mahogany native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Mountain mahogany deer-resistant?
- Mountain mahogany is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Mountain mahogany a good firewise plant near the house?
- Mountain mahogany 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 Mountain mahogany a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as an informal hedge. Mountain mahogany works best as a relaxed hedge or screen kept to its natural form rather than sheared into a tight box.
