Alphabetical Plant Listing

Arctostaphylos glauca (Big Berry Manzanita)

Big Berry Manzanita, Bigberry Manzanita, Blue Manzanita


Arctostaphylos glauca (Big Berry Manzanita) is a large shrub or small tree adorned with striking dark reddish-brown bark and sinuous branches clothed with blue-green, oval to rounded, evergreen leaves, 2 in. long (5 cm). Pretty clusters of lantern-shaped, white-to-pink flowers hang gracefully from short red stems in late winter to early spring. Attractive to bees, hummingbirds and butterflies, they last several weeks and are followed by a profusion of edible berries which ripen to bright red. These berries are the largest of any Manzanita, up to a half-inch in diameter (1 cm), hence the common name. They were used to make a refreshing, cider-like drink by indigenous peoples. Slow to rot, the glistening fruits provide excellent food for birds and mammals. Long-lived (100 years or more), Big Berry Manzanita does not begin to fruit until it is 20 years old. Providing year-round interest, this is a picturesque and architectural addition to water-wise and xeriscape gardens.

  • Grows up to 15-20 ft. tall and wide (450-600 cm). Adds up to 12-24 in. per year (30-60 cm).
  • A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in acidic, sharply drained soils. Once established it will want little or no irrigation in the summer. Drought tolerant.
  • Perfect for rocky slopes or hedges.
  • Prune manzanitas only in the dry summer months.
  • Propagate by seed or by layering.
  • Native to California and Baja California. A chaparral species, commonly found on rocky slopes on southern coastal foothills. 

Not sure which Arctostaphylos - Manzanitas to pick?
Compare All Arctostaphylos - Manzanitas

Buy Arctostaphylos glauca (Big Berry Manzanita)

Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 10
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Arctostaphylos - Manzanitas
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Spread 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, California
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden

Buy Plants


Marshal Hedin, Laura Camp (Flickr), Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 10
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Arctostaphylos - Manzanitas
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Spread 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, California
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden

Plant Calculator

How many Arctostaphylos glauca (Big Berry Manzanita) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Arctostaphylos glauca (Big Berry Manzanita)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.