New Mexico privet
Forestiera neomexicana
New Mexico privet (Forestiera neomexicana) 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 to partial shade. Native hedge alternative. Takes shearing. Bright yellow fall color.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow water6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Forestiera neomexicana
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10 ft apart (7 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hedge use
- Formal, shearable hedge
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Fall color
- Yellow
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Bloom time
- early spring
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Site uses
- Hellstrips / parking strips
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
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- foothills
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer; minimal after. Tolerates poor soil and salt.
- Pruning: shearable.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is New Mexico privet good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, New Mexico privet is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting New Mexico privet?
- The main things to know: It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does New Mexico privet get?
- It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant New Mexico privet?
- Space New Mexico privet about 10 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 7 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is New Mexico privet hardy on the Front Range?
- New Mexico privet 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 New Mexico privet need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does New Mexico privet grow?
- New Mexico privet is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does New Mexico privet turn in fall?
- New Mexico privet turns yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is New Mexico privet native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is New Mexico privet deer-resistant?
- New Mexico privet is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is New Mexico privet a good firewise plant near the house?
- New Mexico privet 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 New Mexico privet a good hedge plant?
- Yes. New Mexico privet takes shearing well and can be kept as a clipped, formal hedge, or left looser as an informal screen.
