Purshia stansburyana
Stansbury's Cliffrose
Southwestern United States and northern Mexico
Overview
Purshia stansburyana, Stansbury cliffrose, is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the rose family, growing 3-20 ft (1-6 m) tall with twisted, shreddy-barked branches and a dense, rounded to irregular crown. The small leathery leaves, 0.2-0.5 in (5-12 mm) long, are deeply cut into three to five narrow lobes, gray-green above, and dotted with sticky, aromatic resin glands. From April to July the branches carry fragrant creamy-white to pale yellow flowers about 1 in (2.5 cm) across, each with five petals and many stamens. Each flower forms several seeds, and each seed bears a long, white, feathery plume that catches the wind and gives flowering plants a soft, hairy look in fruit. The shrub grows on dry slopes, rocky ledges, cliffs, and in pinyon-juniper woodland across the southwestern United States and into Mexico. It tolerates drought, cold, and poor soils, and is heavily browsed by deer and livestock. Heavy, wet soils and shade reduce its vigor. It hybridizes with bitterbrush Purshia tridentata where their ranges meet.
Native Range
Purshia stansburyana is native to the southwestern United States, including Arizona, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and southeastern California, and into northern Mexico. It grows on dry, rocky slopes, cliffs, mesas, and in pinyon-juniper woodland from about 3,000 to 8,000 ft (900-2,400 m).Suggested Uses
Purshia stansburyana is used in native, wildlife, and low-water gardens of the Southwest, on dry slopes, and in erosion control and revegetation. Its fragrant spring flowers and plumed seed heads add seasonal interest, and the foliage is important browse for deer and other wildlife. It suits unirrigated desert and foothill plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 20'
Width/Spread3' - 12'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
creamy white to pale yellowFoliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Purshia stansburyana grows in full sun on sharply drained, rocky or sandy alkaline soils and needs little water once established. It withstands cold mountain winters, intense heat, and prolonged drought, suiting USDA zones 4-9. Overwatering, shade, and heavy clay shorten its life. As an evergreen it holds its small leaves through winter, dropping some in severe drought. Deep, infrequent water suits its dry-country roots. The plant is slow-growing and long-lived in lean, gritty ground.Pruning
Pruning needs are minimal beyond removing dead or damaged wood in late winter or early spring. Light shaping while young guides the open framework. Hard cutting into old wood is slow to regrow, so heavy pruning of mature plants is avoided.Pruning Schedule
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F
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A
M
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J
A
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O
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winter