Arctostaphylos manzanita (Common Manzanita)
Common Manzanita, Whiteleaf Manzanita, Big Manzanita, Manzanita
Arctostaphylos manzanita (Common Manzanita) is a dramatic evergreen shrub of erect and spreading habit, adorned with striking, smooth, mahogany-colored bark. Its long, crooked and twisted branches are clothed with bright shiny green, wedge-shaped, pointed leaves. Pretty clusters of lantern-shaped, white-to-pink flowers hang gracefully from short stems in late winter to early spring. Attractive to bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, they last several weeks and are followed by a profusion of white edible berries which ripen to bright red. Resembling tiny apples (the Spanish name for Apple is Manzana), these berries 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. Providing year-round interest with its splendid branching structure, colorful bark, evergreen foliage, winter blossoms, and small fruits, this is a picturesque and architectural addition to water-wise and xeriscape gardens. Common Manzanita is one of the easier manzanitas to grow in the landscape and is a desirable wildlife plant.
- Grows up to 10-12 ft. tall and wide (300-360 cm), possibly twice as large with great age.
- Performs best in full sun to part shade in a wide variety of soils, including clay. Water once per month during summer. It is very drought tolerant.
- Prune manzanitas only in the dry summer months.
- Propagate by seed. Seeds must be fire treated to germinate.
- Native to California, where it can be found primarily in the North Coast Range, and in the northern and central Sierra Nevada foothills.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 8
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Arctostaphylos - Manzanitas |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 10' – 12' (3m – 3.6m) |
Spread | 10' – 12' (3m – 3.6m) |
Spacing | 120" – 144" (300cm – 360cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, 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 |
c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com
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 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 8
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs |
Plant Family | Arctostaphylos - Manzanitas |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 10' – 12' (3m – 3.6m) |
Spread | 10' – 12' (3m – 3.6m) |
Spacing | 120" – 144" (300cm – 360cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, 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 |