1. Big Berry Manzanita – Arctostaphylos glauca
(ark-toh-STAF-ih-los GLAW-kuh )
Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Native to: Foothills under 4500 ft from central CA to Baja. Locally in Santa Monica & San Gabriel
Mtns; in rocky soils in chaparral and lower elevation woodlands.
large woody shrub/tree mature height: 8-12+ ft. mature width: 8-12 ft.
Evergreen shrub with mounded habit. Bark red-brown, peeling in age. Leaves blue-green to graygreen, simple, rounded, leathery. Leaves usually upright on branches. May be trained up to a multitrunk tree – lovely, open architectural-looking form. Inhibits growth of plants underneath it.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in winter/early spring (Dec-Mar). Flowers are typical for Manzanita: small,
urn-shaped flowers, pink-white in color, in dense clusters. Flowers tract wide range of pollinators:
hummingbirds, butterflies, bees.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Excellent choice for slopes, natural areas. Makes a lovely multi-trunked tree if
pruned up.
Interesting bark, leaves and flowers make this a favored specimen plant. Does best
away from the coast in hotter gardens. Fruits are edible – make a cider-like drink or use in jellies.
Cultivar ‘Los Angeles is from L.A. County foothills.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native drought tolerant trees like Crepe Myrtle.
Excellent habitat plant: provides nectar, cover and berries – attracts wide range of
pollinators and other insects, fruits eating birds.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to light shade
Well-drained; rocky or sandy soil best; any local pH – alkali soils fine.
Regular water (Zone 2-3) first year, then little to none (Zone 1 or 1-2).
None needed.
Organic mulches recommended.
Prune out dead branches in summer. Begin to prune to open tree form, beginning
to shape in the second year if desired. Plant needs good air circulation.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: difficult; heat treatment, cold treatment by cuttings:tip cuttings, summer
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 12-14 20, 24
6/27/11
© Project SOUND