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.