Arctostaphylos columbiana
From Northern California’s coastline and outer Coast Ranges comes one of the larger species of manzanitas. This stately shrub can grow 8 feet to over 15 ft. tall, often developing a contorted shape with age. The large, gray-green leaves contrast well with the burnished, rust-red trunks. Clusters of white flowers emerge in spring followed by matte-red fruits. This is THE upright manzanita for coastal areas with good drainage. Provide full sun and no irrigation once established.
Arctostaphylos cruzensis
This rare, low-growing manzanita comes from the San Luis Obispo coast. Features grey-green, wedge-shaped leaves and soft pink flowers in the winter. Its distinctive creeping habit makes it ideal for crawling over walls or lining walkways. Provide full sun to light shade and moderate to infrequent irrigation once established. Good in containers.
Arctostaphylos densiflora
One of California's rarest natives, this is the pure, true species. Exists only in a very small preserve in western Sonoma Co.. Distinctive for the profusion of beautiful pink to white urn-shaped blossoms they produce in winter and small, shiny bright green leaves. Variable in height but typically grows 3 ft. tall by 6 ft. wide. Does best in its native Sebastopol sandy soils with full sun to light shade and occasional to no summer irrigation.
Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘James West’
This wonderful, drought tolerant, low growing manzanita from Sonoma County appears in form and other details to be a selection of the pure species of the very rare Vine Hill Manzanita. It is a very choice cultivar, seldom available in the trade. Grows 18 - 24 inches by 6 ft. in ten years and flowers from January through March with thick heads of shell pink flowers. Good drainage, as with all manzanitas and occasional to no irrigation once established. Full sun.
Arctostaphylos edmundsii ‘Big Sur’
Prized for its compact size and clean, rich green foliage, this selection from the Central Coast is a great addition to smaller gardens, where a rounded, upright manzanita is called for, that doesn’t get too big. Reaches 3’ – 5’ tall and 4- 6’ wide, with a somewhat open habit that shows off its beautifully sculpted, burnished red trunk. The winter blossoms are larger than those on many manzanitas, and are a soft, pinkish-white. ‘Big Sur’ enjoys average soil and is tolerant of garden conditions, being quite disease resistant. Plant in full sun or very light shade with little to no water once established. We’ve found it to be very amenable to pruning for small spaces. Gopher resistant.
Arctostaphylos gabilanensis
This extremely rare and threatened species wasn’t discovered until the early part of the 21st century, making it the newest species of manzanita to be identified. Not only is it very rare, but it is also extremely beautiful, featuring large, wedge-shaped, fuzzy, grey leaves and new growth flushed rosy-pink. Smooth, burgundy bark clothes the contoured branches which support clusters of whitish flowers in mid-winter, followed by red fruits in the summer. This slow growing shrub will eventually reach a height of 6 ft. or more with a broader width. Provide full sun. Needs decent drainage and will be very drought tolerant once established.
Arctostaphylos glandulosa ‘Super Freak’
This unusual Cal Flora introduction hails from Carson Ridge in Marin County, Arctostaphylos glandulosa ‘Super Freak’ is a wild twist on the classic Eastwood manzanita. Unlike most glandulosa types, ‘Super Freak’ grows in a tight, upright, branched habit that gives it a distinctive candelabra-like silhouette, lending sculptural drama to native landscapes. The typical smooth red bark of this species gleams against clusters of pale pink winter flowers. The leaves are narrow and dense, giving the impression of a confused feather boa. Reaching an ultimate size of 6-plus feet tall, it thrives on neglect while adding personality to dry slopes and sunny borders.
Arctostaphylos hookeri ‘Wayside’
A robust selection of the Monterey manzanita with dense branches growing up to 3 ft. high by 8 ft or more broad. Attractive upsweeping crooked trunks with little white flowers and small deep green leaves. Occurring on open hills around Monterey Bay. Despite its somewhat coastal origin, this selection tolerates, sun, heat and drought quite well. That being said, it will also accept occasional irrigation and light shade. A very useful plant for covering large sunny banks with poor soil.
Arctostaphylos hookeri x pajaroensis – Tilden form
We thank Tilden Botanic Garden for this natural cross from the Pajaro River area of Monterey Bay. While similar to ‘Sunset’, this selection has somewhat denser foliage and thicker, more rigid stems. A vigorous and disease resistant manzanita with dark green, wedge-shaped leaves and bronzy-red new growth. In late winter, small, whitish flowers draw native bees into the garden for nectar. The slightly shaggy, cinnamon-colored bark covers the contorted trunks to great effect. Reaches up to a height of about 5 or 6 ft. and a width of around 7 ft. Provide full sun to part shade. Is more tolerant of heavy soils than many manzanitas and will accept moderate to infrequent irrigation in the garden.
Arctostaphylos manzanita
Good subject for a dry sunny bank where this picturesque native shrub can develop its beautiful form of sinewy branches and smooth red-brown bark. Growing 8-12 ft. tall by 6-10 ft. wide or even larger with time. Flowers heavily in the spring with white to soft pink urn-shaped flowers followed by clusters of tiny apple-shaped fruits. An excellent habitat plant providing food and cover for a wide array of birds. The flowers are an excellent early nectar source for bees and hummingbirds. Very drought tolerant once established.
Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Dr. Hurd’
This selection of the common manzanita features large, rounded leaves of a distinctive pale green coloration. Becomes a large shrub or small tree, reaching up to 15 ft. tall with a beautiful mahogany-red trunk and a broad, round form. Showy large clusters of white urn-shaped flowers in January, followed by burnished red berries. Prefers full sun, decent drainage and no irrigation once established.
Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Garrison Canyon’
This large, tree-like selection comes from Garrison Canyon on Pepperwood Preserve above Mark West Springs. Big, round, pewter-green leaves adorn branches covered in smooth mahogany bark. Especially large clusters of soft-pink flowers emerge in late winter and are followed in summer by “little apple” fruits. In time, this selection may reach up to 15 ft. tall and wide. Provide full sun. Very drought tolerant once established.
Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Hood Mountain’
A Nevin Smith introduction from Hood Mountain in Sonoma County, California. A possible natural hybrid with A. canescens, this sturdy upright manzanita offers grayish-green leaves on sculpted, dark pewter-purple branches, growing 10 ft. or more tall and wide at maturity. White, urn-shaped flowers in late winter/early spring are a favorite of hummingbirds and bees. The large upright manzanitas make stunning specimens and, where space allows, excellent hedge or screen plants. Plant in full sun where it will thrive with no summer irrigation once established.
Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Lake Sonoma Pink’
We discovered this stunning manzanita above Lake Sonoma, which stood out with large, rounded clusters of the pinkest flowers we’ve ever seen on this species. The big, rounded leaves are an appealing grey-green, a pleasing compliment to the colorful blossoms. The smooth, burgundy branches reach up to about 15 ft tall and nearly as wide if left unpruned. Hummingbirds and bumblebees enjoy the late winter flowers, while birds eat the ”little apples” which ripen in the summer. Plant in full sun to light shade and provide little to no irrigation once established. Needs decent drainage. Great as a loose hedge or featured as specimen.
Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Saint Helena’
A vigorous selection of the common manzanita selected by Nevin Smith from the slopes of Mount St. Helena in Napa County. A beautiful, upright, evergreen shrub with gorgeous, sinewy branches of smooth, red-brown bark and medium green, pointed leaves. Fast growing for a manzanita, this robust and disease resistant selection grows 10 -12 tall and wide with a broad, rounded shape. Pure white, urn-shaped blossoms in late winter and early spring are an important early nectar source for bumblebees and hummingbirds. The bronze, little, apple-like fruits are relished by wildlife. Plant in full sun with good drainage, where it will be drought tolerant once established.
Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Warm Springs’
From the steep slopes above Lake Sonoma, growing among gray pines, madrones and buckeyes, comes this standout manzanita. We noticed the particularly gray foliage amongst its more green leaved brethren. Has proven to be a vigorous grower, developing gorgeous, smooth, red-purple bark. The winter blooming, urn-shaped flowers are white with a hint of pink. Clusters of beautiful apple-green fruits mature to bronzy-red, decorate the branch tips. Plant this striking evergreen in full sun or very light shade, where it can grow 10 ft. tall or more and will be very drought tolerant once established. An important early nectar source for hummingbirds and bumble bees.
Arctostaphylos manzanita x ‘Austin Griffiths’
Believed to be a cross between 'Sentinel' and 'Dr. Hurd', this hybrid was discovered by Native Sons Nursery and named in honor of a valued volunteer. Glossy green leaves and dark maroon-brown bark form an attractive backdrop for large clusters of soft pink flowers. The blooms appear in early winter, providing a valuable nectar source for hummingbirds and bees. Over time, this upright manzanita can reach a height of up to 10 feet and a width of 8 ft or more. More garden tolerant than 'Dr. Hurd', 'Austin Griffiths' accepts occasional irrigation but can be drought tolerant once established.
Arctostaphylos manzanita x ‘Laguna White’
Discovered along Guerneville Road near the Laguna de Santa Rosa, this remarkable manzanita boasts dense clusters of clear white flowers in winter with semi-glossy apple green leaves and burgundy colored bark. Plant in full sun where it will reach a height of about 8 -10 ft. tall by 6 ft. wide or more over time. More garden tolerant than many manzanitas, this selection will accept occasional watering after establishment. Though drought tolerant, 'Laguna White' may benefit from deep monthly waterings in the summer, especially in hot interior sites. An excellent early source of nectar for hummingbirds and native bees.
Arctostaphylos manzanita x ‘Mary’s Blush’
Selected along Guerneville Rd. in Sonoma County. It has the form and size of the common manzanita, 8 feet or more, with the disease resistance of the Vine Hill manzanita hybrids. Around a foot of growth a year is reasonable to expect initially. It has a beautiful deep mahogany trunk & is heavy flowering with clusters of pink flowers followed by beautiful red berries. Give it sun and summer drought, but it's more tolerant of garden considions than most. The manzanita berries can attract mockingbirds, robins, and Cedar Waxwings. If unpruned it can provide cover for quail and wren-tits and its flowers provide nectar for native bees & hummingbirds.
Arctostaphylos manzanita x ‘Molino Corner’
The clear white flowers and attractive, wavy, deep-green leaves make this wild selection from the Sebastopol area a real charmer. Burgundy bark clothes the sinuous trunks on this upright manzanita which reaches 8 ft or more tall and potentially as wide, if left unpruned. The urn-shaped flowers appear in late winter in good-sized clusters, followed by reddish fruits in the summer. This selection is part of a group manzanitas from west Sonoma Co. which naturally share genes with the vine hill manzanita, making them more garden tolerant than most inland forms. Plant in full sun to light shade. Water occasional or let go dry in the summer once established. A great winter food source for hummingbirds and bumblebees.
Arctostaphylos manzanita x ‘Sebastopol White’
This upright manzanita displays dense growth of soft green, pointed leaves with clusters of white flowers in winter on a burnished mahogany trunk. Reaches a height of 8 ft or more and a width of at least 6 ft. Discovered along Guerneville Rd. in western Sonoma County. Very drought tolerant once established but will tolerate moderate irrigation when young. A disease resistant selection. Heavy soils are not a problem as long as water does not pool at the crown in winter. Enjoys full sun but will tolerate light shade.
Arctostaphylos manzanita x densiflora ‘Monica’
Found originally along Guerneville Rd. in Sonoma County. It has the form and size of the large common manzanita, 8 ft or more tall with time, and the disease resistance of the Vine Hill manzanita. Features a beautiful dark mahogany trunk and clusters of shell pink flowers set against dark, glossy leaves. The structure is narrower and more upright than most other tall manzanitas, only reaching about 8 ft wide. Give it sun to light shade and summer drought, but it's more tolerant than most of some summer water.Provides food and cover for birds and its flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and bumble bees.
Arctostaphylos montana ssp. montana ‘Lagunitas Grey’
This a strikingly gray and compact form of the rare Mt. Tamalpais manzanita, which is found only in Marin County. Silvery leaves provide all year appeal, set against the smooth, sculptural, burgundy trunks. Winter brings clusters of pink-tinged, white flowers gathered at branch tips, followed by shiny red “little apples” in the summer. Mature plants develop an evenly mounded form, reaching up to about 4’ tall and 5’ wide in about 10 years. They are easily pruned to keep narrower and show of the beautiful bark. While native to serpentine soils, this species does well in most decently draining soil types with full sun and little to no water once established.
Arctostaphylos montereyensis
Beautiful pink flowers in winter and bright green leaves make this very rare manzanita from the Monterey Bay a must-have for the discerning collector. Slowly mounds to 5 or 6 ft. tall and wide with a classic reddish trunk. Provide full sun to very light shade and occasional to no irrigation once established. So far we have found it to be surprisingly adaptable, tolerating some irrigation as it ages. Decent drainage will probably be needed.
