Shrub
Curl-Leaf Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus ledifolius
A slow, gnarled evergreen that becomes a small tree. Leathery leaves and feathery seeds.
- Native
- Evergreen
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–8
- Water
- Very low once established
- Sun
- Full sun
- Size
- 8–15 ft tall × 6–10 ft wide
- Bloom & interest
- Small cream flowers in spring followed by feathery, silvery seed tails
- Plant type
- Shrub
- Native range
- Native across the Great Basin and interior West (NV, UT, ID, OR, CA, CO, WY, MT, AZ)
Why we recommend it
One of very few broadleaf evergreens native to the cold interior West, making a long-lived screen or small tree on almost no water.
Best regions: Great BasinHigh DesertFront Range
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Water every 1–2 weeks the first two summers, then taper to none. Slow to establish.
Pruning
Can be limbed up into a small multi-trunk tree; prune in late winter.
Soil
Rocky, well-drained soil; tolerates alkaline soil. Deer browse it, so protect young plants.
Pairs well with
Read more
Where to buy
Shop Curl-Leaf Mountain Mahogany from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
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