Magnificant Manzanitas - Notes

1/6/2013

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Magnificent Manzanitas

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants Madrona Marsh Preserve
Project SOUND – 2011 (our 7th year) December 3 & 6, 2011
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

The genus Arctostaphylos Why do people fall in love with Manzanitas?
 In the Heath family (Ericaceae)  Showy, sweet-smelling flowers in
 Includes the Manzanitas and winter/early spring
Bearberries, blueberries
 Evergreen foliage
 Manzanitas occur in the chaparral
of western North America, from  Red bark
southern British Columbia
through much of northern and  Interesting, architectural growth
central Mexico. patterns
 The three species of Bearberries  Edible fruits/medicinal leaves
have adapted to arctic and
subarctic climates, and have a  Attracts hummingbirds, native
circumpolar distribution in bees & butterflies
northern North America, Asia
 Because they’re rare in the wilds
and Europe.
 Because they are a part of
California’s unique wild heritage

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Whatever the reason, people want to include Success with manzanitas begins with choosing
manzanitas in their gardens…. the best species or cultivar for your conditions

And that can be a challenge for those of us
living in western L.A. county

Tailor the manzanita to your conditions
Many species require well-drained soils
(rather than the other way around)
 Soil conditions:
 Soil texture/Drainage
 Texture/drainage
 pH
Soil type Approximate time
 Size: height & width/spread to drain

 Growth pattern/speed Hard-pan or
days
sodic soils
 Light/temperature Clay 3-12 hours
 Water regimen Loam 20-60 minutes
 dig hole 1 ft x 1 ft
 Aesthetics: Sandy Loam 10-30 minutes
 fill with water and let drain
Sand can't fill the hole,
 fill hole again, measure drains too fast
Fortunately, there are more than forty species of Arctostaphylos in time for water to drain
California not to mention all the cultivars, subspecies and hybrids.

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Many manzanitas like a slightly acidic soil So, you really should test your soil pH if
you want to grow manzanitas
 Most manzanitas
originate in areas with  A simple garden soil pH test kit
more acidic soil due to: is adequate for the job – no need
 Higher rainfall for fancy equipment

 Effects of  If your soil is Alkaline (pH > 7.5)
chaparral/woodland consider planting in a large pot
plants
 If your soil is neutral or slightly
 The rock material from acid (pH 6.0 – 7.5) choose
which the soils were manzanitas that like a slightly
derived acid soil and use an organic mulch
 Our local garden soils  If your soil is acid (pH 5.0-5.9)
tend to range from 6.5 http://nogmoseedbank.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/planning-for-spring-
you can plant even those that
to 7.5 – and some may be
planting-season-part-5-conducting-a-soil-test/

need acidic soils
as high as 7.8+
Soils under pine trees and oaks will be more acidic

Can’t I just amend my soil to lower the pH? Size matters: most Manzanitas eventually
 Actually, it’s not that easy: want to grow to their natural size
 Takes a lot of effort to lower
soils pH – and you have to keep
doing it because pH keeps ↑

 Acid fertilizers also increase the
soil N levels – often too high for
CA native plants
http://www.learn2grow.com/gardeningguides/lawns/planting/Incorp

 Chemical amendments:
oratingAmendments.aspx

If you’re acidifying 1000 sq ft of  sulfur or iron/ammonium/
soil with sulfur, a 1.0 change in aluminum sulfate
pH (from 7.5 to 6.5) requires 11
pounds of the product for sandy  Natural amendments: pine straw;
soil and 23 pounds for claylike
soil.
oak leaf mold

 ? Coffee grounds/acid compost http://www.flickr.com/photos/97607362@N00/4375161245/
http://travel.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977173759


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Manzanita species grow from < six inches (some coastal
species) to twenty feet tall (many interior species). Don’t forget the width

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/swest/msg0309450418785.html

Arctostaphylos rudis "Burton Beauty Manzanita".

http://www.arthurleej.com/p-o-m-Mar08.html

A. refugioensis
http://www.fresno.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=24200&letter=b
&return=s_aP © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

The right plant, grown correctly, will live for more Let’s say you want to replace an old tree
than 100 years (especially the larger forms). with a large manzanita

http://www.arthurleej.com/p-o-m-Mar08.html
http://123terry.com/photos/mom_day_2008/mom_day_2008.html


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Bigberry Manzanita:
Big Berry Manzanita – Arctostaphylos glauca shrub or tree
 Easy-care shrub for slopes; good for
erosion control
 Specimen shrub; needs little pruning
 As a small shade tree
 As a key shrub/tree for the habitat
garden: bees, butterflies, birds,
humans

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-glauca

© 2008 Gary A. Monroe


Why choose Manzanita cultivars? Arctostaphylos glauca
 Because they have better size,
‘Los Angeles’
shape, color, etc.
 Source plant: originally in
 Because they often are better
the area of Mullholland
adapted to garden conditions (and
Hwy. and Kanan Rd.
therefore more likely to thrive in
your garden)  Smooth red bark and clean
shiny foliage with pink-
 Garden tolerance - cultivars are
white flowers make the
often more tolerant of:
plant quite attractive.
 A little extra water
 Soils that are not perfectly  Locally native – tolerates
drained sandy soils of western L.A.
 Heat and cold County
 Salinity and higher pH

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-glauca-frazier-park-manzanita

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-glauca-los-angeles

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Arctostaphylos glauca Arctostaphylos glauca
‘Frazier Park’ ‘Margarita Pearl’
 From Frazier Park/ Mt.
Pinos region ~ 5000 ft.  ? Big Berry manzanita (glauca)
or a hybrid between A. glauca
 The form is low/dense and A. wellsii
for a Big Berry
Manzanita.  Very large flowers and berries
– good for edibles garden
 Foliage is pale green, a
glaucous green, making it  Foliage is a bright grey on new
appear whitish-bluish - growth and dull grey on old
beautiful accent plant in a growth – lovely color
garden.

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-glauca-frazier-park-manzanita
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-margarita-pearl

Arctostaphylos glauca Arctostaphylos
‘Ramona’ ‘Canyon Blush’
 From San Vicente/Ramona area  Arctostaphylos glauca hybrid
from a chance seedling in the
(San Diego Co.)
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.
 Red bark, a very open form,  Red-flushed new foliage and
clean glossy foliage. The plant blush pink flowers
looks almost artificial
http://www.faroutflora.com/page/12/

 4’ tall by 20 ft wide; climbing/
 Use as a specimen with lower trailing form
green manzanitas and ceanothi
 Quite effective as a sprawling,
under it, or as an elegant eight
large-scale groundcover, or
to ten foot hedge in a chaparral cascading down a slope.
planting.
 Use drip irrigation in place of
 Ok in soils of pH 7.8, and overhead watering to reduce
might even be ok in pH 8. spread of this disease.
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-glauca-ramona-manzanita

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Allelopathy: chemical warfare in the garden Common Manzanita – Arctostaphylos manzanita
 Chaparral plants tend to
‘exclude’ other plants:
 Shading or crowding out
 Producing chemicals that are toxic
to plants or seedlings

 Some common trees/large
shrubs that practice chemical
warfare:
Manzanitas/Bearberries
http://sierrafoothillgarden.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/allelopathic-plantswhat-
%E2%80%9Ci-want-to-be-aloooone%E2%80%9D/ 
 Walnuts
 Oaks
 Sycamore
 California Bay laurel
 Cottonwood
 Non-natives like Forsythia,
Tree-of-heaven, Black locust
and Eucalyptus © Project SOUND http://lucioledesign.com/blog/?attachment_id=552
© Project SOUND

Common Manzanita – Arctostaphylos manzanita Common Manzanita: large size
 Central & northern California - Contra Costa  Size:
County north to Humboldt, Trinity, and Shasta
counties; and from the foothills of the Sierra  6-12+ ft tall – as tall as 20’
Nevada in Shasta County south to Mariposa  4-10 ft wide
County.
 Growth form:
 On ‘dry’, well-drained, sunny sites in Ponderosa
shrub forest, California mixed evergreen  Large evergreen shrub/small tree
forest, Northern oak woodlands, Chaparral,  Open, upright habit – many long
Montane chaparral twisted trunks give it an
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3492 umbrella-like shape
 Peeling red-brown bark

 Foliage:
 Bright green to slightly blue-
green
 Leaves simple, rounded

© 2009 John Malpas
© 1994 David Graber © Project SOUND http://atlantis.mendocino.edu/jxerogeanes/AGR%2053/Arctostaphylos%20manzanita-%20Whole%20plant.jpg © Project SOUND

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Most manzanitas like  Soils:
 Texture: any with very good
Why do garden manzanitas need a well-drained soil?
well-drained soils drainage
 pH: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) ;
may need to amend or use  It’s what they are adapted
mulch to acidify (pine needles; to (root system anatomy)
oak leaves)

 Light:  It keeps you/Mother Nature
 Full sun (coast) to part-shade – from over-watering
even under tall pines
 Winter rain events can ‘drown’
 Water: plants in standing
 Winter: adequate/supplement water/water-logged soils
 Summer: occasional water is  Too much summer rain
best – 1-3 times per summer
promotes fungal diseases to
http://www.intermountainnursery.com/demonstration_garden_list.htm

(Zone 1-2)
Best away from the coast; which manzanitas are
likes cooler winters  Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils susceptible

 Other: use an organic mulch; pine
needles are great!
© Project SOUND http://www.flickr.com/photos/starlingfeather/297644619/ © Project SOUND

Watering Manzanitas: a few pointers Then modify according to your conditions

 Look to the plant’s natural  Temperature
climate as a starting point:  Soil characteristics
 Lots of rain yearly – some  Wind, fog and other
species from very N. coast climatic differences
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-
 Deeper/more frequent winter
morroensis-park-view-manzanita
rains – higher elevation
chaparral & woodlands

 Summer monsoons in August –
San Diego county species

 Significant summer fog –
species from the central and
northern CA coast
http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/mounttam/Interesting

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Watering manzanitas: some tips
Planting and establishing manzanitas
 Be sure that ‘expert advice’ is
appropriate for your area  The best time to plant is in the Fall to early Winter, when soils
are moist.
 Use conventional drip
irrigation only to get plants  Treat manzanitas as 1 full Water Zone above their final
Zone for the first 2 summers. This will often be either Zone
started the first year
2 or 2-3 (watering every 7-14 days).
 Use soaker hoses, soaker-drip  Water as the soil starts to dry. Inspect the soil down a few
or a plain old hose for deep, inches to get a true idea of sub-surface moisture. Moisture
occasional water of meters are an inexpensive and effective way to check out the
established plants amount of water in the soil.

 Only use overhead spray for  By 3rd summer decrease to ½ Zone above final Zone.
coastal species that need a
 Ultimately, in about 3-5 years, your manzanitas, can take
fake ‘fog spray’
their final zone - may become independent of your care.


Treat as a shrub or tree Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Byrd Hill’
 As a shade tree
 As an exotic accent  Naturally occurring variant
 As a large foundation shrub
 On dry slopes  A more compact version of
A. manzanita (8-10' H x 8' W)
 For habitat value
http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=432
 Upright; nice sculpted form.

 Very drought tolerant. No
summer water (or just 1-2
times per summer – Zone 1-2)
once established

 Excellent for wildlife.

© Project SOUND http://www.californianativeplants.com/index.php/catalog/item/arctostaphylos-manzanita-byrd-hill © Project SOUND
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-manzanita-dr-hurd-
manzanita-tree http://www.sanjose.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=2528&return=l4_aD

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Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Dr. Hurd’ Arctostaphylos manzanita x A. densiflora
‘Austin Griffiths’ Manzanita
 To 15’ tall & wide; fast grower
 More garden tolerant: some summer  Hybrid: Arctostaphylos densiflora
water, richer soil, than Arctostaphylos 'Sentinel' X Arctostaphylos manzanita
glauca 'Dr. Hurd'
 Tolerates clay or sandy soils  Tall open shape with bright foliage &
 Tree or shrub form – your choice pink flowers of A. densiflora
 Reliable drought-tolerant plant in our  8-10 ft tall; 6-8 ft wide
area  Sandy soils best; clay ok
http://lucioledesign.com/blog/?attachment_id=552

 Good for habitat hedges/dry
hedgerows

http://www.santacruz.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=2528&return=l9_aC
http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/images/new_botimages/large/0118_2_j.jpg

Manzanita hybrids – more all the time! Large Manzanitas: are they trees or shrubs?
 Are a cross between two species

 Can occur in the wilds – and do –  That’s debatable
but many species never come in
 Some native shrubby
contact in the wilds
species - mainly those
 Hybrids occur readily in the native to California -
garden setting – manzanita species certainly reach tree size.
are ‘promiscuous’
 However, they generally
 Some hybrids combine the best branch or fork near the
traits of both parents (‘hybrid ground, thus lacking the
cultivars’) single trunk of a tree.
Arctostaphylos 'Bird Hill' and Lyonothamnus
 Impact on wild populations – a real planifolia both have open ‘tree-like’ growth  ? ‘multi-trunk small tree’
habit that allow them to be ‘pruned up’ into
potential problem (but not in lower small ‘trees’.
‘Austin Griffiths’ Manzanita elevation western L.A. county)

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Most Manzanitas look good throughout their ‘Dr. Hurd’ grows up
lifespan – even without pruning to be a tree

http://3palmsnursery.com/ywup/ArctoDr%20Hurd.JPG

http://www.heronshouse.com/Landscaping/California%20Natives.htm

© 2008 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Arctosta
phylos-auriculata/

http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2011/01/rain-frost-
blooming-manzanitas.html

At four years
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/5967389289/

© Project SOUND
‘Dr. Hurd’ at 5 years http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-02-27/home-and-garden/28632634_1_prune-manzanitas-fruit-
trees © Project SOUND

Pruning to shape – tree-like forms Start by choosing the right species – and
the right plant
 Judicious shaping is possible.

 The trick seems to be not to act too
soon - until you can get a feel for
the form the plant is taking - or too
late, which would leave large pruning
scars on the smooth, red bark.
‘Howard McMinn’
http://www.heronshouse.com/Landscaping/California%20Natives.htm
http://dangergarden.blogspot.com/2010/03/walking-around-neighborhood.html

http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_a/arcsun.html

‘Sunset’
‘Howard McMinn’
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-photo/keeleyhope/1/1267709433/manzanita.jpg/tpod.html

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Mother Nature trumps  Prune manzanitas only in
Above all, do no harm warm, dry weather, to
guard against diseases
 Most manzanitas are not fostered by cold and
going to have a single leader damp.
(a single dominant trunk that
starts at the ground and
extends through the tree).  Don’t stress the plant by
over-pruning:

 Trying to get that kind of  If it's young plant, remove
no more than about 25% of
tree will probably not be wise it's leaf / volume.
– work with the natural shape
 Limit pruning of older
plants to 10% to 15%. You
can always do more next
year.

Can manzanitas be
Prune purposively
used in hedges &
 If removing a branch or hedgerows?
trunk will improve the
shape, remove it before it
gets too big (< 1.5 inches is
good).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Manzanita.JPG
http://www.juniperridge.com/wildcrafting_use.htm  Consider pinching small ‘Austin Griffiths’

branch tips to redirect
growth upward - pinching to
an upward facing bud.

 Most manzanitas won't
form new leaves on a branch
if you cut off the part of it
that had leaves, so think
hard before you cut.

http://truevisiondesign.com/janet/fun/around-the-property/86-clearing-brush-and-the-joy-of-
poison-oak

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Pointleaf Manzanita – Arctostaphylos pungens Pointleaf Manzanita – Arctostaphylos pungens
 Foothills & mtns of the U.S.
Southwest and NW Mexico –
2500-8000 ft.

 Locally: San Gabriel & San
Bernardino Mtns.

 Rocky slopes, ridges, in
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flor
a_id=1&taxon_id=250092319 chaparral, coniferous forest
bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3522

http://www.delange.org/ManzanitaPointleaf/ManzanitaPointleaf.htm
http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/arpu5.htm
http://www.birdandhike.com/Veg/Species/Shrubs/Arctos_pun/_Arc_pun.htm

Pointleaf Manzanita: variable over its range Manzanitas are primarily chaparral plants
 Size:
 3-10 ft tall – often 3-6 ft
 Environmental
 3-8 ft wide – often 3-6 ft
 Higher total moisture
 Growth form:  Rain & snow
 Evergreen shrub/small tree  May also have summer rains
 Upright, open habit  Wider temperature extremes
 Smooth, red-brown peeling bark
 More natural mulch
 In nature may grow in dense
thickets  Growth patterns
 Foliage:  Evergreen
 Thick, leathery leaves  Longer growth season – spring through summer
 Shiny wax coating  May have growth/flowering after summer rains
 Produces volatile chemicals –
 Role of fire: essential for many species
helps to burn

 Roots: shallow, fibrous
http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/arpu5.htm http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~greywolf/spectra/spec_curve.html

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 Manzanitas contain a high percentage
Manzanitas and fire of volatile compounds, which burn like
If you need to worry about fire: choices
a torch when ignited.

 They also carry a large amount of dead
wood, making them all the more  Plant something other than a
flammable. manzanita
Manzanita can act as a ladder fuel in

 Plant species from Northern
landscapes, especially when planted
adjacent to flammable structures such CA or cultivars that can take
as homes, decks, fences, and trees. a little more water; then
Ladder fuels carry fire from the
http://sandiegohiker.net/?p=408
water them
ground where it can be controlled to
Tough seed coats and sprouting treetops where it is difficult to
roots/ burls are manzanita control.
 Choose Bearberries, which
adaptations to life with fire are not so flammable but
 Flame lengths of manzanita can reach
eight times the height of the shrub
have the ‘manzanita look’
(i.e. a five foot tall manzanita can
generate a 40 foot flame).


Flowers and fruits Growing Manzanita from seed: difdicult
 Blooms:  Very difficult to germinate: have
 Winter to early spring – in our both a hard seedcoat and embryo
area may be as early as dormancy
Nov/Dec.
 In nature, manzanita seeds germinate
 Provide needed winter color,
following fire. Fire provides exposure
nectar
http://www.delange.org/ManzanitaPointleaf/ManzanitaPointleaf.htm to heat/smoke and seedbed
 Flowers: http://hazmac.biz/041206b/041206bArctostaphylosPungens.html
preparation.
 Typical for the genus: small,
 To mimic this natural process, some
white (pink blush) urn-shaped
propagators sow seeds in a flat
 Fruits: (wooden flat covered with aluminum
 Small (1/4 inch) foil) and burn a 3-4 inch layer of pine
 Ripen to showy red in summer; needles on top of the seedbed.
retained through fall
 Seeds may take a year to germinate.
 Vegetative reproduction: natural Once seedlings germinate, they are
layering transplanted to nursery containers.

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 Soils:
Propagating manzanitas by layering is easy Plant Requirements  Texture: well-drained – sandy or
rocky best, but others ok on
 Propagate existing manzanita plants slopes
using Mother Nature’s method - the
 pH: slightly acidic - 5.1-7.5
layering technique.
 Light:
 A tender shoot is "pinned" (using a "U"
 Full sun
shaped piece of wire) into the soil
where it is left to take root for a  Can take plenty of heat
growing season.  Water:
 Slightly wound the stem with a sharp,  Winter: adequate
clean knife and give supplemental  Summer: in our area, best with
http://generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/YouthAdventureProgra
m/AsexualPropagation/AsexaulPropagation.html
water to promote root growth. occasional water (once a month
in summer – Zone 1-2) but very
Natural ‘layering’ allows  After roots become established, the drought tolerant; likes ‘summer
some plants to form a thicket rooted plant can be severed from the monsoon’
generated from a single mother plant, grown up in a pot, and  Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
plant transplanted in fall following recovery.
http://www.educacionambiental.org.mx/atlas/anexo/CONABIO/Arctostaphylos%20pungens2.jpg  Other: organic mulch

Pointleaf Manzanita thrives
in dry gardens For a chaparral garden, plant with its
 Nice background shrub or in usual associates
informal hedges
 Hot, dry hills & slopes – erosion  Wedgeleaf ceanothus (Ceanothus cuneatus)
control  California buckthorn (Frangula californica)
 Place where you can enjoy flowers  Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
& fruits
 Birchleaf mountain-mahogany
Thickleaf yerba santa (E. crassifolium)

 Flannelbush (Fremontodendron species)
 CA coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica)
 Tecate cypress (Cupressus forbesii)
 Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina)
 Black & White Sages (Salvia mellifera, Apiana)

http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/ © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARPU5

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Pruning Manzanitas for a hedge or pot Aesthetic and other considerations when
choosing a manzanita
 Choose the right species: should have a
more dense (less open) growth habit  Open or dense growth
pattern
 Prune out branches that are ‘wrong’
 Growth speed
 Tip-prune/pinch new growth to
promote fuller, bushy growth if  Foliage color
desired
 Flower color
 Size/color of fruits
 ‘Garden hardiness’ – length of
time used in gardens


* Otay Manzanita – Arctostaphylos otayensis * Otay Manzanita – Arctostaphylos otayensis
 Endemic to mountains of southern San
Diego County (e.g., Guatay, Jamul, Otay),
near border with Baja California & nearby
S. Riverside County and northern Baja

 Shallow volcanic soils, rock outcrops in
chaparral, woodlands (1500-5200‘ elev.)

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3513

© 2003 David Graber © 2003 David Graber http://www.willhiteweb.com/california_climbing/trip_reports_099.htm

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Otay Manzanita: medium to large shrub Flower color
 Size:  Vary even within species: Otay
 5-15 ft tall Manzanita can be pale or medium
pink – different appearance
 4-8 ft wide

 Growth form:  Best time to buy is now – can see
flower color
 Upright, evergreen shrub –
similar appearance to ‘Dr. Hurd’ © 2005 Gene Wagner, RPh.

 Slow-growing; dense when A . pungens
young becoming more open
 Red-brown shreddy bark

 Foliage:
 New leaves bright green
 Older leaves more gray-green
 Leaves spaced so ‘open’ look

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctostaphyl
 Roots: fibrous; no burl
os_otayensis http://hy.bestpicturesof.com/pungens

http://azwildflowers.blogspot.com/2007/04/pointleaf-manzanita.html

Why go to the nursery in Dec/Jan? Otay Manzanita loves rocky soils
 Soils:
 Often can see both new &
 Texture: loves rocky soils but
older foliage color
also grows in clay
 Can see flower size, color  pH: mildly acidic (pH 6.0-7.0
and density of floral is optimal)
clusters – even if none on
 Light:
the 1-gallen you buy,
 Best in full sun, but will take a
nursery will likely have a
little shade
mature plant or pictures of
Fine in hot gardens
http://www.intermountainnursery.com/retail_nursery.htm

the exact plant you’re
buying  Water:
 Perfect time to plant; you  Winter: adequate
can choose and purchase  Summer: occasional water (Zone
1-2) when mature. Likes 1
now
August ‘monsoon shower’

© 2003 David Graber
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

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Otay Manzanita thrives
in hot, inland gardens So much habitat value
 Good background shrub in
woodland garden.

 Lovely shape for specimen
plant or informal hedge
 Flowers attract hummingbirds
& insect pollinators; many birds
and animals like the fruits

© Project SOUND
http://kate-campbell.blogspot.com/2011/09/manzanita-saving-celebrating-our.html http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-pungens
© Project SOUND

Fortunately, not all chaparral is the same:
Maybe you like the looks of Otay maritime chaparral
Manzanita, but you live by the coast..

http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/ecoregions/51202.htm http://www.flickr.com/photos/tcorelli/page602/

http://www.naturalfrontyards.com/choose-a-palette/california-coastal/
http://www.californiachaparral.com/factsandmyths/wheretofindchaparral.html

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* Morro Manzanita – Arctostaphylos morroensis * Morro Manzanita – Arctostaphylos morroensis
 Endemic to San Luis Obispo County,
California, where it is known only
from the vicinity of Morro Bay.

 It is limited to a specific type of
substrate: ancient dune sands


© 2011 Chris Winchell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arctostaphylos_morroensis_1.jpg
http://www.worldbotanical.com/arctostaphylos.htm http://www.flickr.com/photos/edgehill/3776478253/

* Del mar Manzanita – Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia

http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2011/02/olives-are-cured-and-some-cal-native.html

'Harmony' & 'Sunset' Manzanitas ‘soften’ a gravel pathway
at the front entry: what other choices?
http://www.worldbotanical.com/arctostaphylos.htm


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* Del mar Manzanita – Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia Del mar Manzanita: gray-green to blue-green
 Endemic to the south-central  Size:
coast of San Diego County south  3-6 ft tall; usually 3-5 ft
into extreme northwestern Baja  4-6 ft wide
California
 Growth form:
 On coastal sandstone bluffs  Small to medium sized
within the rare and threatened evergreen shrub w/ red bark
maritime chaparral plant  Rounded, upright to rambling
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3470,3472 community form
 Slow growing
 Some of the best populations
exist and are protected at  Foliage:
Torrey Pines State Reserve  Gray-green to blue-green
 Neat/tidy looking

 Roots: re-sprouts from basal
burl
© 2007 Charles E. Jones
© Project SOUND http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-glandulosa-ssp-crassifolia © Project SOUND
http://www.plantscomprehensive.com/sandiegonatives-blog?page=3

Plant Requirements  Soils: Use Del Mar Manzanita
 Texture: sandy (including
sand) or rocky are best  As a tall groundcover
 pH: slightly acidic (6.0-  Under pines
7.6); many gardens in this
 As an informal hedge
range
 With its usual associated species
 Light: Comarostaphylis, Xylococcus,
 Full sun along only on coast http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Arctostaphylos_glandulosa
Quercus and Salvia species.
 Morning sun/dappled shade
in other/hot gardens

 Water:
© 2006 Kai Palenscar

 Winter: adequate;
Look at the weather from the Torrey supplement if needed
Pines state park for clues about  Summer: Zone 1-2
precipitation (occasional) best; fog; likes a
‘summer monsoon’ in Aug.

© Project SOUND http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m-Htm9oK65QX_9Kx7zPcDw © Project SOUND

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What to do with all  Beverages
 Manzanita ‘cider’ Need a shrub that can take a little more water but
the fruits?  Syrup for cold drinks looks like Del Mar Manzanita?
 Dried and ground for tea

 Jelly & syrup

 Dried and ground for a
natural sweetener

© 2010 James M. Andre
http://www.wishtoyo.org/artifacts-wearables-seed-bead-
necklaces.html

Pajaro Manzanita is great for
* Pajaro Manzanita – Arctostaphylos pajaroensis
coastal gardens
 Prune up for a small, dense tree –
good nesting sites

 Use as a specimen/accent shrub
– very attractive year-round,
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-pajaroensis-paradise-manzanita
with sculptural shape

 As an all-round habitat plant –
winter nectar, fruits and cover-
nest sites

 Has an ‘old-fashioned look’ –
perfect for Edwardian or
Victorian garden

 Nice addition to a scent garden
© 1995 Dan Post

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/2994359348/

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1/6/2013

‘Myrtle Wolf’ ‘Paradise’
 Naturally
occurring cultivar
 Naturally occurring
from Regional
cultivar Parks Botanic
http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/waterwise/images/05_Arctostaphylos-cv-MWolf5.jpg

 Particularly attractive Garden
 Bright/dark pink flowers  5-6 ft tall; 6-10
 Light blue-green foliage ft wide
 4-5 ft tall & wide  Exceptional new
foliage color
 Takes a little more
heat – good for hot  Needs very good
banks drainage
http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_a/arcpajpar.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/sets/72157608574988902/
© Project SOUND http://drystonegarden.com/ © Project SOUND

Versatile, garden-friendly
‘Warren Roberts’ ‘Sunset’
 Very dense, slate-blue/blue-
green foliage
 Upright habit – good for small
tree – 6 ft tall, 10 ft wide
 New foliage orange-red – really
nice color

http://www.rwa.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=24200&retu
rn=l7_p87

 Hybrid - A. pajaroensis x A. hookeri
ssp. hookeri
 Very colorful new foliage
 Low-growing – to about 3-4 ft –
informal hedges
 Chosen for garden hardiness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/sets/72157608574988902/ © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://xeraplants.com/Xera/SHRUB_A-B_09.html

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1/6/2013

Manzanitas provide a wide range of Foliage color is important factor
foliage colors

A. densiflora – bright green

http://en.flickeflu.com/set/72157622626294085

A. auriculata – silvery blue-green

http://jayacarl.blogspot.com/2007/03/stone-wall-with-manzanita.html
http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2011/02/yes-im-manzanita-freak-and-blooming.html
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Arctostaphylos-silvicola/

© Project SOUND
A. pungens – gray-green A. glandulosa – blue-green © Project SOUND

Compare foliage
at the nursery Perhaps you need a mid-size shrub

 Some things to consider: You could plant Indian
Hawthorn (Raphiolepis
 Color of new leaves – may be
red-tinged in some species
indica) – or choose a
smaller size manzanita
http://dangergarden.blogspot.com/2010/04/joy-creek-nursery.html  Color of mature leaves
 Leaf shape
 Whether leaves are hairy or
shiny
 Leaf size and density on
branches
 Whether leaves are upright on
branches
 Color of new branches http://coldcalculation.blogspot.com/2006/09/workhorse-landscape-plants.html

http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Arctostaphylos-silvicola/

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* Mount Diablo Manzanita – Arctostaphylos auriculata Mount Diablo Manzanita: beautiful foliage
 Endemic to the area surrounding Mount
Diablo, in Contra Costa County (e San  Size:
Francisco Bay Area)  3-12 ft tall; usually 4-6 ft
 occurs primarily in chamise or manzanita  5-10 ft wide
chaparral. It can also be found as an  Growth form:
understory shrub in coast live oak woodland,
 Evergreen woody shrub
400'-2000' elevation
 Erect to mounded
 Twigs hairy; older bark red

 Foliage:
 Gray-green; may be very
fuzzy
 Rounded, over-lapping leaves
clasp the branches
 Very unusual and lovely
appearance
© 2006 Steve Matson © 2006 Steve Matson

A. auriculata can take a  Soils:
Flowers are pink!
little more water  Texture: well-drained
 pH: slightly acidic best
 Blooms: winter to early spring
 Light:
 Flowers:  Full sun on coast
 Usually pink – sometimes  Morning sun/dappled shade
white in hot gardens
 Usually hairy
 Many flower clusters per  Water:
plant – plant covered with  Winter: adequate
flowers  Summer: best with a little
 Otherwise, fairly typical summer water (Zone 1-2 up
flowers for the genus to 2); rinse off occasionally
in summer (be ‘the fog’)
 Fruits: small & hairy until
mature.  Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

 Other: organic mulch (including
oak and pine needles
© 2006 Steve Matson

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1/6/2013

Arctostaphylos auriculata 'Knobcone Point' ‘Greensphere’  Rounded shrub, 5’ tall x 6’ wide;
almost perfectly spherical
hybrid
 Dense habit; compact new growth
 3-6 ft tall; 6-8 ft wide –
is attractive, reddish, ages to
spreading with erect stems
dark green.
 An unusual selection of  Full sun to part shade.
manzanita that retains its close-  Any soil, dry to semi-dry.
set juvenile leaves, creating a  one of the easiest manzanitas to
unique fish scale-like effect grow.
 Foliage an attractive blue-green.
Excellent in both coastal and
inland gardens.

 Pale pinkish-white flowers
attract hummingbirds.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/4297456024/ http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/235340/

The lowest of the low Little Sur Manzanita – Arctostaphylos edmundsii

© 2007 Penny DeWind
http://seedbyte.blogspot.com/2009_12_11_archive.html

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Little Sur Manzanita – Arctostaphylos Arctostaphylos edmundsii
edmundsii ‘Carmel Sur’

 Fast growing

 Attractive dark gray-green
foliage and dense, spreading habit.

 < 1 ft. tall and 4 - 6 ft. across.
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-edmundsii-carmel-sur-manzanita

 Prefers coastal conditions but
does well protected from hot
afternoon sun inland.

 Creeping main sterns send up many
short, erect branchlets to form an
http://slosson.ucdavis.edu/documents/2005-200610653.pdf

attractive dense, lush-looking
 Many of the low-growing manzanitas grow in sandy coastal areas, ground cover.
suggesting that well-drained soils are important

http://www.calown.com/nativegarden_plants.html

Arctostaphylos edmundsii  An unusually small
shrub - < 2 ft Arctostaphylos edmundsii
‘Big Sur’  Forms a small mound ‘Bert Johnson’
of dark green leaves
and mahogany-red
branches.  Flat mat-like stems hold gray-
green leaves that flush bronze
 Unlike most smaller in early spring.
Manzanitas, this
selection remains  A compact mound forming
somewhat open, selection to 2’ with shiny
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/84/238318221_cec3be656f.jpg?v=0

revealing the plant's foliage and light pink flowers
characteristic Excellent native ground in spring
beautiful branching cover or in containers
structure.  Reliability in a range of garden
situations.
http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=1277

Use along a path or draping over a wall where it can be appreciated up
close.

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1/6/2013

Purisima Manzanita – Arctostaphylos purissima
‘Ophio-viridis’ hybrid

 1 ft by 4-6 ft

 Bright green foliage;
overlapping leaves give

unique appearance

 Recommended for use in
containers, or where it can
trail over a low wall -
beautiful cascading growth.

 Also good for hanging
baskets.



Purissima Manzanita – Arctostaphylos purissima Purisima Manzanita – a groundcover in nature
 Size:
 Endemic to western Santa  Usually 3-4 ft tall; may be
Barbara County, California, 8-10 on some sites
including near Lompoc, site of  6-12 ft wide; spreading
Mission La Purísima
Concepción – hence it’s name  Growth form:
 Woody evergreen shrub
 Hills and mesas near the  Varies in shape from low and
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3523 coast (Burton Mesa) © 2004 David Graber spreading to tall and erect.
 Densely branched; young
 Maritime chaparral on deep,
twigs are white/hairy
sandy soils, sandstone
outcrops  Foliage:
 Leaves shiny, bright green
 May be almost round – clasp
the stem

 Roots: fibrous; no burl
© 1993 David Graber © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
© 2006 Adonis (Don) Tate © 2006 Steve Matson

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1/6/2013

Purisima likes sand  Soils: A. purissima ‘Burton Mesa’
 Texture: well-drained soils –
loves sandy soils  2-3 ft tall; 4-5 ft wide
 pH: most local  Loves sand but tolerates clays; very
drought-tolerant
 Light:
 Nice natural shape – requires little
 Full sun – only along immediate
coast pruning
 Part-shade best in most gardens  Does well in many gardens

© 1993 David Graber  Water:
 Winter: adequate
 Summer: looks best with some
summer water; Zone 1-2
(clay), 1-2 to 2 in all others


 Other: +/- organic mulch

© 1993 David Graber http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-purissima-burton-mesa-
© Project SOUND groundcover © Project SOUND

A. purissima ‘Petit Margarita’ A. purissima ‘Vandenberg’
 Natural variant
 1-3 ft tall; 3-5 ft wide
 2-3' H x 6-8' W, mounding
 Natural variant - hills S. of Lompoc
 Coast: full sun, inland: part shade.
 Similar to Arctostaphylos
myrtifolia with its delicate leaves  Well-drained soils
and sprawling habit. Unique and http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/arcpurva.htm

 Occasional to moderate water –
pretty foliage Zone 1-2 to 2 (perhaps even 2-
 Use in a small east facing bed or 3 in sand)
along a cool retaining wall where it  All the nice characteristics of
can soften the top as it drapes over the species (Large lush green
 Mixing this manzanita into a leaves clasp fuzzy stems;
groundcover of ‘Sunset’ and abundant flowers) but better
‘Harmony’ manzanita would be garden tolerance.
dramatic planting.

28

1/6/2013

Parry’s /Snowlodge Manzanita – Arctostaphylos parryana For groundcovers: know their spread and
growth rate before you choose
 Endemic to western section of
the Transverse Ranges, from
coastal Santa Barbara County
to the San Gabriel Mountains.

 Chaparral, coniferous forest
from 3,600'-7,000‘

 1-3 ft tall; 6+ ft wide

 Good heat & cold tolerance;
needs well-drained acidic soil –
best under oaks & pines

 Moderate growth rate

 Appears to do well inland, even
at lower elevations
http://thehumanfootprint.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/california-natives-part-3-groundcovers-manzanitas-ceanothus/
http://www.worldbotanical.com/arctostaphylos.htm © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

What if you need something that’s a really * Kinnikinnick – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
low ‘creeper’?

http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2010/02/and-even-in-winter.html


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1/6/2013

Kinnikinnick is another low-growing woody shrub
* Kinnikinnick – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
 Size:
 Also commonly called Bear Berry  < 1 ft tall
 spreading: 3-15 ft wide
 Found throughout the Northern
Hemisphere:  Growth form:
 N. Asia/Russia  Evergreen woody shrub
 N. Europe
 Very low, dense growth – mat-
 In North America - from the northern like
half of California north to Alaska and
across Canada and the northern United
© 2007 Matt Below
 Spreads by rooting stems
States to New England and
Newfoundland.  Foliage:
 In CA – mostly along the N. CA coast  Like other Manzanitas
 Leathery leaves; green but may
 Rocky outcrops, slopes, sandy soils, become red-tinged in winter
coastal dunes, chaparral, coniferous
 Very neat appearing – garden-
forest
like
 Deer will browse

http://www.swsbm.com/maps/Arctostaphylos_uva-ursi.gif © Project SOUND
© 2005 Steve Matson http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/aruv2.htm  Roots: fibrous; to 6+ ©feetSOUND
Project
depth

Kinnikinnick - well suited  Soils: Mainly used as a low
 Texture: best in sandy soils, but
to garden conditions… fine in most well-drained soils
groundcover
 pH: any, including quite acidic
 Light:  Excellent fire-resistant
 Best in part shade; tolerates full groundcover under trees
shade (but less flowering)
 Fine on parking strips in
 Full sun only near immediate coast http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/a/arcuva/arcuva3.html virtually all local cities – very
 Water: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/a/arcuva/arcuva3.html low-growing & looks way
 Young plants: Zone 2-3 better than ivy!
 Winter: needs good water – deep
roots  Looks nice cascading over a
 Summer: Zone 2-3 (best); Zone low retaining wall
2 ok once established
 Combine with rocks and other
 Fertilizer: none low groundcovers, perennials
 Other: delicate roots; don’t move or
compact soils  Nice in a large pot or planter –
even on shady patios
http://courses.washington.edu/ehuf331/Plant_Pages_subfolders/ERICACEAE.shtml

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1/6/2013

 The leaves of manzanita/bearberry used
Pruning groundcover Arctostaphylos Medicinal uses internally to reduce the accumulation of
uric acid and relieve pain of bladder
stones and cystitis.

 Bearberry has been reported to be
 Most are naturally effective against E. coli.
dense, so don’t
For external use, it has been used as an
need to do 
astringent wash for cuts and scrapes.
anything to
promote this The active medicinal compound in  Preparation:
Arctostaphylos uva ursi is the  Infusion in hot water: 2 tsp
Hydroquinone glycoside, Arbutin
 Just trim back leaves/cup – 3 times/day + lots of
water to flush system
when it grows
http://laurries.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

 Make a tincture by allowing the
where you don’t leaves to soak in brandy for 1 week
want it before preparing the infusion.
 Add 1 teaspoon of the brandy
tincture to one cup of boiling water
to make and infusion which can be
http://www.hillkeep.ca/ts%20A-B.htm taken 3-4 times per day.

The cultivars have very
different ‘looks’ – shop ‘til
you find the right one for
http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=407
http://www.tinytreasuresnursery.com/Genus/Plants%20A.htm
your needs
‘Wood’s Compact’
‘Point Reyes’
http://www.rwa.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=2532&letter=d&return=s_p319

Several Bearberry and hybrid cultivars available

http://www.jamesdeandesign.com/Slide_Show/Pl
‘Green Supreme’
ant_Catalog/SHRUBS/ http://www.sm.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=2532&return=l2_aP

‘Radiant’ ‘Pacific Mist’ © Project SOUND
‘Pacific Mist’ © Project SOUND

31

1/6/2013

We’ve come to the end of our journey
Versatile ‘Emerald
Carpet’: groundcover
to very low hedge

http://www.pasadena.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=243&return=l8_aK


32

Magnificant Manzanitas - Notes

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