Silver Satin New Mexico Privet

'Silver Satin' New Mexico Privet (Forestiera neomexicana) is a newer selection of this outstanding native shrub species. A deciduous plant, the new spring leaves emerge green, but soon develop a shiny gray color that then changes to golden yellow in the fall. Discovered by High Country Gardens Chief Horticulturist, David Salman, in a Santa Fe, NM landscape, 'Silver Satin' is grown from cuttings taken from the original male plant. It may take the plant a couple of years to begin to show its silver leaves, as it seems that the young foliage on the fast-growing stems of young transplants will stay green, but be patient, as the mature plants are stunning in the xeric landscape. 'Silver Satin' is a male plant and can be used instead of or in addition to ‘Happy Boy’ for pollinating Forestiera ‘Berry Girl’ to grow dark purple berries on the female plant, which are eagerly eaten by song birds. If no fruit is desired, plant only male plants. One male plant can pollinate numerous female plants. In the xeriscape, combine it with Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris), Gro-Low Sumac (Rhus), and Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millifolium).