This shrub has upright stems with a peeling red-brown bark and spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has leathery grey green rounded leaves and the small pink urn-shaped flowers appear in clusters from winter to early spring.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Arctostaphylos manzanitais naturally found in western North America growing in northern California along the coast and inland commonly in exposed positions in oak woodlands or chaparral and coniferous forests.

It prefers an open sunny position and grows in well drained moist, poor to moderately fertile lime free soils with a pH 5.5-7. It is light frost, drought and fire tolerant.

Common Manzanita is grown for its bushy habit and flowers. It is planted in small or coastal gardens along borders for screening or used in woodland settings. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions establishing in 3 to 5 years and is long lived. It may also be trained to form a small tree for shade and tolerates long periods of drought. ID 3081

Arctostaphylos(AHK -toh-STAF-ee-los) manzanita(MAN-zah-NEE-tah)

Ericaceae(er-ek-AY-see-ee)
Bilberries, Blueberries,Cranberies, Heathers, Heaths, Rhododendrons, Wintergreens