Arctostaphylos 'Lester Rowntree'

Introduced by Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden and named for early native plant pioneer Lester Rowntree who provided the seed. This hybrid, involving A. pajaroensis, develops into a beautiful specimen, growing 8-10 ft. tall and wide with time. Shapely, upright branches sport bluish foliage with deep pink urn-shaped flowers very early, often beginning in October. The reddish bark, gorgeous foliage and flowers make this a worthwhile candidate for sunny areas with little to no summer water once established. It’s early flowering period offers nectar to hummingbirds and bees when not much else native is blooming.