Botanical Name: Purshia mexicana
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Common Name: Cliffrose  
Plant photo of: Purshia mexicana
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Water Saving Tip:

Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.

Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Broadleaf Evergreen, Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

Yellow, White

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green

 

Bark Color

Grey, Red

 

Fruit Color

White

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full

 

Water

Very Low, Low

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Raised Planter, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Hedge, Screen, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:
  • Description

  • Notes

A Utah native, cliffrose is an evergreen shrub growing with an upright habit to 6 to 10 feet tall and about half as wide. Grey-green leathery foliage is deeply lobed and finely textured, and aromatic when crushed. Creamy white, fragrant, rose-like flowers bloom April through June, and are followed by 2-inch long hairy, curly plumes that persist throughout the summer and fall. Bark is reddish grey with mature bark displaying interesting shreddy character. An attractive native shrub for low-water, poor soil areas; a tough hedge.
Grow in full sun in well-drained soils; prefers gravelly conditions and tolerates poor soils. Its form is generally upright and tidy and so requires little, if any pruning. It can become unruly and twiggy if over-watered. It can survive without irrigation once established; it resents being over-watered or over-head watered. Hardy to USDA Zone 4.