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 to 12 ft tall and 6 to 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 to 12 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Andrew Tree, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Andrew Tree, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Site uses
- Hellstrips / parking strips
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6 to 12 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10 ft apart (7 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early spring
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Fall color
- Yellow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
What it will do to your yard
- Hedge use
- Formal, shearable hedge
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
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 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 to 12 ft tall and 6 to 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 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 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 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.
Find New Mexico privet 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
- Salt-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
- Hail-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
