The Mountain
Mahogany is a deciduous shrub or a small tree that is native to dry regions of western
North America. It has a spreading, vase-shaped from and smooth, gray bark. It ranges
from Montana and Idaho south to California and northern Mexico. It is common in
the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. It grows in chaparral scrub, mesas
and lower foothills of the Rockies. Grows up to 12 feet tall. Fruits have feathery,
silvery-white plumes. Also known as the alder-leaf mountain mahogany. It is grown
as a hedge, a wind break, for erosion control and in shrub borders and woodland
gardens. Drought tolerant. Grow it in dry to medium moisture, well-drained
soils in full sun. It prefers sandy, clay soils. Hardy in zones 5-10.
Growing
instructions for the Mountain Mahogany
The seeds have
a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the spring or summer and
they will germinate the next spring or they can be cold stratified to simulate
winter conditions and to break their dormancy at any time of the year. 1. Soak
the seeds in water for 24 hours. 2. Put the seeds in a ziplock bag. 3. Put the
bag in the refrigerator and leave it there for 90 days. 4. The seeds like well-drained
soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or
vermiculite. 5. Put the soil in a pot. 6. Sow the seeds 1/4 of an inch deep. 7.
Water the soil so that it is moist but not wet. 8. When the seedlings are a few
inches tall, they can be transplanted.