Plant of the Month,(July 1997)

Mesilla Valley Landscape Association.
Las Cruces New Mexico

Forestiera Neomexicana - New Mexico Privet or New Mexico Olive

Native to the southwest, the New Mexico Privet is a shrub or multi-trunk tree with pruning. It grows to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide. A unique looking tree which grows upright with angled branches, it has light colored bark and light green leaves. The New Mexico Privet produces small yellow flowers in the spring, which are followed by dark blue fruit. Although regular deep monthly watering will produce a larger tree, the New Mexico Privet can be drought tolerant. It is a perfect landscape tree for small spaces because of its diminutive size.