Cercocarpus betuloides
Mountain Mahogany
Description
This evergreen shrub grows 15' high and 6' wide. It can be pruned to look like a small tree 20' tall. Small yellow, fragrant flowers cover the shrub in spring which contrast with the red stems. The leaves are small and oval-shaped. Feathery fruit hang on the shrub in fall and when backlit, gives off a silvery glow. This shrub tolerates full to part sun with rocky, poor soil. This California native is great for erosion control or revegetating an area. It is useful in narrow areas for privacy since it can be pruned into a privacy hedge. Deer browse this plant. It is wind tolerant and needs occasional water once it's established. Also known as Hardtack.
Plant Type
Tree, Shrub
Height Range
12-25'
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Season
Spring
Leaf Color
Green
Bark Color
Red
Fruit Color
White
Fruit Season
Fall
Sun
Full, Half
Water
Very Low
Growth Rate
Moderate
Soil Type
Sandy, Rocky
Soil Condition
Average, Poor, Well-drained
Soil pH
Neutral
Adverse Factors
n/a
Design Styles
Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish
Accenting Features
Fragrance, Multi-trunk Tree
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Fall
Location Uses
Background, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Roadside, Walls / Fences
Special Uses
Erosion Control, Filler, Hedge, Screen, Mass Planting
Attracts Wildlife
Wildlife
Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.