© Project SOUND

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants Project SOUND – 2011 (our 7th year)

© Project SOUND

Magnificent Manzanitas

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve

December 3 & 6, 2011

The genus Arctostaphylos

In the Heath family (Ericaceae)

Includes the Manzanitas and Bearberries, blueberries

Manzanitas occur in the chaparral of western North America, from southern British Columbia through much of northern and central Mexico.

The three species of Bearberries have adapted to arctic and subarctic climates, and have a circumpolar distribution in northern North America, Asia and Europe.

© Project SOUND

Why do people fall in love with Manzanitas?

Showy, sweet-smelling flowers in winter/early spring

Evergreen foliage

Red bark

Interesting, architectural growth patterns

Edible fruits/medicinal leaves

Attracts hummingbirds, native bees & butterflies

Because they’re rare in the wilds

Because they are a part of California’s unique wild heritage

© Project SOUND

Whatever the reason, people want to include manzanitas in their gardens….

© Project SOUND

And that can be a challenge for those of us

living in western L.A. county

© Project SOUND

Success with manzanitas begins with choosing

the best species or cultivar for your conditions

Tailor the manzanita to your conditions

(rather than the other way around)

Soil conditions:

Texture/drainage

pH

Size: height & width/spread

Growth pattern/speed

Light/temperature

Water regimen

Aesthetics:

© Project SOUND

Fortunately, there are more than forty species of Arctostaphylos in

California not to mention all the cultivars, subspecies and hybrids.

© Project SOUND

Many species require well-drained soils

Soil texture/Drainage

Soil type Approximate time

to drain

Hard-pan or sodic soils

days

Clay 3-12 hours

Loam 20-60 minutes

Sandy Loam 10-30 minutes

Sand can't fill the hole, drains too fast

dig hole 1 ft x 1 ft

fill with water and let drain

fill hole again, measure

time for water to drain

Many manzanitas like a slightly acidic soil

Most manzanitas originate in areas with more acidic soil due to:

Higher rainfall

Effects of chaparral/woodland plants

The rock material from which the soils were derived

Our local garden soils tend to range from 6.5 to 7.5 – and some may be as high as 7.8+

© Project SOUND

Soils under pine trees and oaks will be more acidic

So, you really should test your soil pH if

you want to grow manzanitas

A simple garden soil pH test kit is adequate for the job – no need for fancy equipment

If your soil is Alkaline (pH > 7.5) consider planting in a large pot

If your soil is neutral or slightly acid (pH 6.0 – 7.5) choose manzanitas that like a slightly acid soil and use an organic mulch

If your soil is acid (pH 5.0-5.9) you can plant even those that need acidic soils

© Project SOUND

http://nogmoseedbank.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/planning-for-spring-

planting-season-part-5-conducting-a-soil-test/

Can’t I just amend my soil to lower the pH?

Actually, it’s not that easy:

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

Chemical amendments: sulfur or iron/ammonium/

aluminum sulfate

Natural amendments: pine straw; oak leaf mold

? Coffee grounds/acid compost

© Project SOUND

http://www.learn2grow.com/gardeningguides/lawns/planting/Incorp

oratingAmendments.aspx

If you’re acidifying 1000 sq ft of

soil with sulfur, a 1.0 change in

pH (from 7.5 to 6.5) requires 11

pounds of the product for sandy

soil and 23 pounds for claylike

soil.

Size matters: most Manzanitas eventually

want to grow to their natural size

© Project SOUND

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

Manzanita species grow from < six inches (some coastal

species) to twenty feet tall (many interior species).

© Project SOUND

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

http://www.fresno.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=24200&letter=b

&return=s_aP

Don’t forget the width

© Project SOUND

Arctostaphylos rudis "Burton Beauty Manzanita".

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

A. refugioensis

The right plant, grown correctly, will live for more

than 100 years (especially the larger forms).

© Project SOUND

http://123terry.com/photos/mom_day_2008/mom_day_2008.html

Let’s say you want to replace an old tree

with a large manzanita

© Project SOUND

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

© Project SOUND

Big Berry Manzanita – Arctostaphylos glauca

© 2008 Gary A. Monroe

© Project SOUND

Bigberry Manzanita:

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

Why choose Manzanita cultivars?

Because they have better size, shape, color, etc.

Because they often are better adapted to garden conditions (and therefore more likely to thrive in your garden)

Garden tolerance - cultivars are often more tolerant of: A little extra water

Soils that are not perfectly drained

Heat and cold

Salinity and higher pH

© Project SOUND

Arctostaphylos glauca

‘Los Angeles’

Source plant: originally in the area of Mullholland Hwy. and Kanan Rd.

Smooth red bark and clean shiny foliage with pink- white flowers make the plant quite attractive.

Locally native – tolerates sandy soils of western L.A. County

© Project SOUND

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

Arctostaphylos glauca

‘Frazier Park’

From Frazier Park/ Mt. Pinos region ~ 5000 ft.

The form is low/dense for a Big Berry Manzanita.

Foliage is pale green, a glaucous green, making it appear whitish-bluish - beautiful accent plant in a garden.

© Project SOUND

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

Arctostaphylos glauca

‘Margarita Pearl’

? Big Berry manzanita (glauca) or a hybrid between A. glauca and A. wellsii

Very large flowers and berries – good for edibles garden

Foliage is a bright grey on new growth and dull grey on old growth – lovely color

© Project SOUND http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-margarita-pearl

Arctostaphylos glauca

‘Ramona’

From San Vicente/Ramona area (San Diego Co.)

Red bark, a very open form, clean glossy foliage. The plant looks almost artificial

Use as a specimen with lower green manzanitas and ceanothi under it, or as an elegant eight to ten foot hedge in a chaparral planting.

Ok in soils of pH 7.8, and might even be ok in pH 8.

© Project SOUND http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-glauca-ramona-manzanita

Arctostaphylos

‘Canyon Blush’

Arctostaphylos glauca hybrid from a chance seedling in the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Red-flushed new foliage and blush pink flowers

4’ tall by 20 ft wide; climbing/ trailing form

Quite effective as a sprawling, large-scale groundcover, or cascading down a slope.

Use drip irrigation in place of overhead watering to reduce spread of this disease.

© Project SOUND

http://www.faroutflora.com/page/12/

Allelopathy: chemical warfare in the garden

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

Walnuts

Oaks

Sycamore

California Bay laurel

Cottonwood

Non-natives like Forsythia, Tree-of-heaven, Black locust and Eucalyptus

© Project SOUND

http://sierrafoothillgarden.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/allelopathic-plantswhat-

%E2%80%9Ci-want-to-be-aloooone%E2%80%9D/

© Project SOUND

Common Manzanita – Arctostaphylos manzanita

http://lucioledesign.com/blog/?attachment_id=552

© Project SOUND

Common Manzanita – Arctostaphylos manzanita

© 1994 David Graber

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3492

Central & northern California - Contra Costa County north to Humboldt, Trinity, and Shasta counties; and from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Shasta County south to Mariposa County.

On ‘dry’, well-drained, sunny sites in Ponderosa shrub forest, California mixed evergreen forest, Northern oak woodlands, Chaparral, Montane chaparral

© Project SOUND

Common Manzanita: large size

Size: 6-12+ ft tall – as tall as 20’

4-10 ft wide

Growth form: Large evergreen shrub/small tree

Open, upright habit – many long twisted trunks give it an umbrella-like shape

Peeling red-brown bark

Foliage: Bright green to slightly blue-

green

Leaves simple, rounded

© 2009 John Malpas

http://atlantis.mendocino.edu/jxerogeanes/AGR%2053/Arctostaphylos%20manzanita-%20Whole%20plant.jpg

© Project SOUND

Most manzanitas like

well-drained soils

Soils: Texture: any with very good

drainage

pH: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) ; may need to amend or use mulch to acidify (pine needles; oak leaves)

Light: Full sun (coast) to part-shade –

even under tall pines

Water: Winter: adequate/supplement

Summer: occasional water is best – 1-3 times per summer (Zone 1-2)

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: use an organic mulch; pine needles are great!

http://www.intermountainnursery.com/demonstration_garden_list.htm

Best away from the coast;

likes cooler winters

Why do garden manzanitas need a well-drained soil?

It’s what they are adapted to (root system anatomy)

It keeps you/Mother Nature from over-watering

Winter rain events can ‘drown’ plants in standing water/water-logged soils

Too much summer rain promotes fungal diseases to which manzanitas are susceptible

© Project SOUND http://www.flickr.com/photos/starlingfeather/297644619/

Watering Manzanitas: a few pointers

Look to the plant’s natural climate as a starting point:

Lots of rain yearly – some species from very N. coast

Deeper/more frequent winter rains – higher elevation chaparral & woodlands

Summer monsoons in August – San Diego county species

Significant summer fog – species from the central and northern CA coast

© Project SOUND

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/mounttam/Interesting

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

morroensis-park-view-manzanita

Then modify according to your conditions

Temperature

Soil characteristics

Wind, fog and other climatic differences

© Project SOUND

Watering manzanitas: some tips

Be sure that ‘expert advice’ is appropriate for your area

Use conventional drip irrigation only to get plants started the first year

Use soaker hoses, soaker-drip or a plain old hose for deep, occasional water of established plants

Only use overhead spray for coastal species that need a fake ‘fog spray’

© Project SOUND

Planting and establishing manzanitas

The best time to plant is in the Fall to early Winter, when soils are moist.

Treat manzanitas as 1 full Water Zone above their final Zone for the first 2 summers. This will often be either Zone 2 or 2-3 (watering every 7-14 days).

Water as the soil starts to dry. Inspect the soil down a few inches to get a true idea of sub-surface moisture. Moisture meters are an inexpensive and effective way to check out the amount of water in the soil.

By 3rd summer decrease to ½ Zone above final Zone.

Ultimately, in about 3-5 years, your manzanitas, can take their final zone - may become independent of your care.

© Project SOUND

As a shade tree

As an exotic accent

As a large foundation shrub

On dry slopes

For habitat value

© Project SOUND

Treat as a shrub or tree

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-manzanita-dr-hurd-

manzanita-tree

http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=432

http://www.sanjose.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=2528&return=l4_aD

Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Byrd Hill’

Naturally occurring variant

A more compact version of A. manzanita (8-10' H x 8' W)

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

Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Dr. Hurd’

To 15’ tall & wide; fast grower

More garden tolerant: some summer water, richer soil, than Arctostaphylos glauca

Tolerates clay or sandy soils

Tree or shrub form – your choice

Reliable drought-tolerant plant in our area

© Project SOUND

http://lucioledesign.com/blog/?attachment_id=552

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/images/new_botimages/large/0118_2_j.jpg

http://www.santacruz.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=2528&return=l9_aC

Arctostaphylos manzanita x A. densiflora

‘Austin Griffiths’ Manzanita

Hybrid: Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Sentinel' X Arctostaphylos manzanita 'Dr. Hurd'

Tall open shape with bright foliage & pink flowers of A. densiflora

8-10 ft tall; 6-8 ft wide

Sandy soils best; clay ok

Good for habitat hedges/dry hedgerows

© Project SOUND

Manzanita hybrids – more all the time!

Are a cross between two species

Can occur in the wilds – and do – but many species never come in contact in the wilds

Hybrids occur readily in the garden setting – manzanita species are ‘promiscuous’

Some hybrids combine the best traits of both parents (‘hybrid cultivars’)

Impact on wild populations – a real potential problem (but not in lower elevation western L.A. county)

© Project SOUND

‘Austin Griffiths’ Manzanita

Large Manzanitas: are they trees or shrubs?

That’s debatable

Some native shrubby species - mainly those native to California - certainly reach tree size.

However, they generally branch or fork near the ground, thus lacking the single trunk of a tree.

? ‘multi-trunk small tree’

© Project SOUND

Arctostaphylos 'Bird Hill' and Lyonothamnus

planifolia both have open ‘tree-like’ growth

habit that allow them to be ‘pruned up’ into

small ‘trees’.

Most Manzanitas look good throughout their

lifespan – even without pruning

© Project SOUND

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

blooming-manzanitas.html

At four years

© 2008 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy

http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Arctosta

phylos-auriculata/

‘Dr. Hurd’ grows up

to be a tree

© Project SOUND

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

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/5967389289/

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

trees

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

Pruning to shape – tree-like forms

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.

© Project SOUND

http://dangergarden.blogspot.com/2010/03/walking-around-neighborhood.html

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-photo/keeleyhope/1/1267709433/manzanita.jpg/tpod.html

‘Howard McMinn’

Start by choosing the right species – and

the right plant

© Project SOUND

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

‘Sunset’

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

‘Howard McMinn’

Mother Nature trumps

Most manzanitas are not going to have a single leader (a single dominant trunk that starts at the ground and extends through the tree).

Trying to get that kind of tree will probably not be wise – work with the natural shape

© Project SOUND

Above all, do no harm Prune manzanitas only in

warm, dry weather, to guard against diseases fostered by cold and damp.

Don’t stress the plant by over-pruning:

If it's young plant, remove no more than about 25% of it's leaf / volume.

Limit pruning of older plants to 10% to 15%. You can always do more next year.

© Project SOUND

Prune purposively

© Project SOUND

http://www.juniperridge.com/wildcrafting_use.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Manzanita.JPG

If removing a branch or trunk will improve the shape, remove it before it gets too big (< 1.5 inches is good).

Consider pinching small 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

Can manzanitas be

used in hedges &

hedgerows?

© Project SOUND

‘Austin Griffiths’

© Project SOUND

Pointleaf Manzanita – Arctostaphylos pungens

http://www.delange.org/ManzanitaPointleaf/ManzanitaPointleaf.htm

Foothills & mtns of the U.S. Southwest and NW Mexico – 2500-8000 ft.

Locally: San Gabriel & San Bernardino Mtns.

Rocky slopes, ridges, in chaparral, coniferous forest

© Project SOUND

Pointleaf Manzanita – Arctostaphylos pungens

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-

bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3522

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flor

a_id=1&taxon_id=250092319

http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/arpu5.htm

http://www.birdandhike.com/Veg/Species/Shrubs/Arctos_pun/_Arc_pun.htm

© Project SOUND

Pointleaf Manzanita: variable over its range

Size: 3-10 ft tall – often 3-6 ft

3-8 ft wide – often 3-6 ft

Growth form: Evergreen shrub/small tree

Upright, open habit

Smooth, red-brown peeling bark

In nature may grow in dense thickets

Foliage: Thick, leathery leaves

Shiny wax coating

Produces volatile chemicals – 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

Manzanitas are primarily chaparral plants

© Project SOUND

Environmental

Higher total moisture

Rain & snow

May also have summer rains

Wider temperature extremes

More natural mulch

Growth patterns

Evergreen

Longer growth season – spring through summer

May have growth/flowering after summer rains

Role of fire: essential for many species

Manzanitas and fire Manzanitas contain a high percentage

of volatile compounds, which burn like a torch when ignited.

They also carry a large amount of dead wood, making them all the more flammable.

Manzanita can act as a ladder fuel in landscapes, especially when planted adjacent to flammable structures such as homes, decks, fences, and trees. Ladder fuels carry fire from the ground where it can be controlled to treetops where it is difficult to control.

Flame lengths of manzanita can reach eight times the height of the shrub (i.e. a five foot tall manzanita can generate a 40 foot flame).

© Project SOUND

http://sandiegohiker.net/?p=408

Tough seed coats and sprouting

roots/ burls are manzanita

adaptations to life with fire

If you need to worry about fire: choices

Plant something other than a manzanita

Plant species from Northern CA or cultivars that can take a little more water; then water them

Choose Bearberries, which are not so flammable but have the ‘manzanita look’

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

Flowers and fruits

Blooms: Winter to early spring – in our

area may be as early as Nov/Dec.

Provide needed winter color, nectar

Flowers: Typical for the genus: small,

white (pink blush) urn-shaped

Fruits: Small (1/4 inch)

Ripen to showy red in summer; retained through fall

Vegetative reproduction: natural layering

http://www.delange.org/ManzanitaPointleaf/ManzanitaPointleaf.htm

Growing Manzanita from seed: difdicult

Very difficult to germinate: have both a hard seedcoat and embryo dormancy

In nature, manzanita seeds germinate following fire. Fire provides exposure to heat/smoke and seedbed preparation.

To mimic this natural process, some propagators sow seeds in a flat (wooden flat covered with aluminum foil) and burn a 3-4 inch layer of pine needles on top of the seedbed.

Seeds may take a year to germinate. Once seedlings germinate, they are transplanted to nursery containers.

© Project SOUND

http://hazmac.biz/041206b/041206bArctostaphylosPungens.html

Propagating manzanitas by layering is easy

Propagate existing manzanita plants using Mother Nature’s method - the layering technique.

A tender shoot is "pinned" (using a "U" shaped piece of wire) into the soil where it is left to take root for a growing season.

Slightly wound the stem with a sharp, clean knife and give supplemental water to promote root growth.

After roots become established, the rooted plant can be severed from the mother plant, grown up in a pot, and transplanted in fall following recovery. © Project SOUND

http://generalhorticulture.tamu.edu/YouthAdventureProgra

m/AsexualPropagation/AsexaulPropagation.html

Natural ‘layering’ allows

some plants to form a thicket

generated from a single

plant

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: well-drained – sandy or rocky best, but others ok on slopes

pH: slightly acidic - 5.1-7.5

Light: Full sun

Can take plenty of heat

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: in our area, best with occasional water (once a month in summer – Zone 1-2) but very drought tolerant; likes ‘summer monsoon’

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: organic mulch

http://www.educacionambiental.org.mx/atlas/anexo/CONABIO/Arctostaphylos%20pungens2.jpg

© Project SOUND

Pointleaf Manzanita thrives

in dry gardens

Nice background shrub or in informal hedges

Hot, dry hills & slopes – erosion control

Place where you can enjoy flowers & fruits

http://www.delange.org/ManzanitaPointleaf/ManzanitaPointleaf.htm

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARPU5 http://www.delange.org/ManzanitaPointleaf/ManzanitaPointleaf.htm http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/

For a chaparral garden, plant with its

usual associates

Wedgeleaf ceanothus (Ceanothus cuneatus)

California buckthorn (Frangula californica)

Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)

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)

© Project SOUND

Pruning Manzanitas for a hedge or pot

Choose the right species: should have a more dense (less open) growth habit

Prune out branches that are ‘wrong’

Tip-prune/pinch new growth to promote fuller, bushy growth if desired

© Project SOUND

Aesthetic and other considerations when

choosing a manzanita

Open or dense growth pattern

Growth speed

Foliage color

Flower color

Size/color of fruits

‘Garden hardiness’ – length of time used in gardens

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

* Otay Manzanita – Arctostaphylos otayensis

© 2003 David Graber

© Project SOUND

* Otay Manzanita – Arctostaphylos otayensis

© 2003 David Graber

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

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://www.willhiteweb.com/california_climbing/trip_reports_099.htm

© Project SOUND

Otay Manzanita: medium to large shrub

Size: 5-15 ft tall

4-8 ft wide

Growth form: Upright, evergreen shrub –

similar appearance to ‘Dr. Hurd’

Slow-growing; dense when young becoming more open

Red-brown shreddy bark

Foliage: New leaves bright green

Older leaves more gray-green

Leaves spaced so ‘open’ look

Roots: fibrous; no burl

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctostaphyl

os_otayensis

Flower color

Vary even within species: Otay Manzanita can be pale or medium pink – different appearance

Best time to buy is now – can see flower color

© Project SOUND

© 2005 Gene Wagner, RPh.

A . pungens

http://hy.bestpicturesof.com/pungens

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

Why go to the nursery in Dec/Jan?

Often can see both new & older foliage color

Can see flower size, color and density of floral clusters – even if none on the 1-gallen you buy, nursery will likely have a mature plant or pictures of the exact plant you’re buying

Perfect time to plant; you can choose and purchase now

© Project SOUND

http://www.intermountainnursery.com/retail_nursery.htm

© Project SOUND

Otay Manzanita loves rocky soils

Soils: Texture: loves rocky soils but

also grows in clay

pH: mildly acidic (pH 6.0-7.0 is optimal)

Light: Best in full sun, but will take a

little shade

Fine in hot gardens

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: occasional water (Zone 1-2) when mature. Likes 1 August ‘monsoon shower’

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

© 2003 David Graber

© Project SOUND

Otay Manzanita thrives

in hot, inland gardens

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

© 2003 David Graber

http://kate-campbell.blogspot.com/2011/09/manzanita-saving-celebrating-our.html

So much habitat value

© Project SOUND http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-pungens

Maybe you like the looks of Otay

Manzanita, but you live by the coast..

© Project SOUND http://www.naturalfrontyards.com/choose-a-palette/california-coastal/

© Project SOUND http://www.californiachaparral.com/factsandmyths/wheretofindchaparral.html

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

Fortunately, not all chaparral is the same:

maritime chaparral

© Project SOUND

* Morro Manzanita – Arctostaphylos morroensis

© 2011 Chris Winchell

© Project SOUND

* Morro Manzanita – Arctostaphylos morroensis

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3505

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

http://www.worldbotanical.com/arctostaphylos.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arctostaphylos_morroensis_1.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/edgehill/3776478253/

© Project SOUND

'Harmony' & 'Sunset' Manzanitas ‘soften’ a gravel pathway

at the front entry: what other choices?

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

© Project SOUND

http://www.worldbotanical.com/arctostaphylos.htm

* Del mar Manzanita – Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia

Endemic to the south-central coast of San Diego County south into extreme northwestern Baja California

On coastal sandstone bluffs within the rare and threatened maritime chaparral plant community

Some of the best populations exist and are protected at Torrey Pines State Reserve

© Project SOUND

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3470,3472

http://www.plantscomprehensive.com/sandiegonatives-blog?page=3

* Del mar Manzanita – Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia

© Project SOUND

Del mar Manzanita: gray-green to blue-green

Size: 3-6 ft tall; usually 3-5 ft

4-6 ft wide

Growth form: Small to medium sized

evergreen shrub w/ red bark

Rounded, upright to rambling form

Slow growing

Foliage: Gray-green to blue-green

Neat/tidy looking

Roots: re-sprouts from basal burl

© 2007 Charles E. Jones

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-glandulosa-ssp-crassifolia

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils: Texture: sandy (including

sand) or rocky are best

pH: slightly acidic (6.0-7.6); many gardens in this range

Light: Full sun along only on coast

Morning sun/dappled shade in other/hot gardens

Water: Winter: adequate;

supplement if needed

Summer: Zone 1-2 (occasional) best; fog; likes a ‘summer monsoon’ in Aug.

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

© 2006 Kai Palenscar

Look at the weather from the Torrey

Pines state park for clues about

precipitation

© Project SOUND

Use Del Mar Manzanita

As a tall groundcover

Under pines

As an informal hedge

With its usual associated species Comarostaphylis, Xylococcus, Quercus and Salvia species.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Arctostaphylos_glandulosa

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

What to do with all

the fruits?

Beverages Manzanita ‘cider’

Syrup for cold drinks

Dried and ground for tea

Jelly & syrup

Dried and ground for a natural sweetener

© Project SOUND

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

necklaces.html

Need a shrub that can take a little more water but

looks like Del Mar Manzanita?

© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND

* Pajaro Manzanita – Arctostaphylos pajaroensis

© 1995 Dan Post

© Project SOUND

Pajaro Manzanita is great for

coastal gardens

Prune up for a small, dense tree – good nesting sites

Use as a specimen/accent shrub – very attractive year-round, 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

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-pajaroensis-paradise-manzanita

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

© Project SOUND

Naturally occurring cultivar

Particularly attractive Bright/dark pink flowers

Light blue-green foliage

4-5 ft tall & wide

Takes a little more heat – good for hot banks

http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu/waterwise/images/05_Arctostaphylos-cv-MWolf5.jpg

‘Myrtle Wolf’

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/sets/72157608574988902/

© Project SOUND

‘Paradise’

Naturally occurring cultivar from Regional Parks Botanic Garden

5-6 ft tall; 6-10 ft wide

Exceptional new foliage color

Needs very good drainage

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

http://drystonegarden.com/

© Project SOUND

‘Warren Roberts’

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.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/sets/72157608574988902/

Versatile, garden-friendly

‘Sunset’

© Project SOUND http://xeraplants.com/Xera/SHRUB_A-B_09.html

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

Manzanitas provide a wide range of

foliage colors

© Project SOUND

http://jayacarl.blogspot.com/2007/03/stone-wall-with-manzanita.html

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

Foliage color is important factor

© Project SOUND

A. densiflora – bright green

A. pungens – gray-green A. glandulosa – blue-green

http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2011/02/yes-im-manzanita-freak-and-blooming.html

A. auriculata – silvery blue-green

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

Compare foliage

at the nursery

Some things to consider:

Color of new leaves – may be red-tinged in some species

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

© Project SOUND

http://dangergarden.blogspot.com/2010/04/joy-creek-nursery.html

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

Perhaps you need a mid-size shrub

© Project SOUND

You could plant Indian

Hawthorn (Raphiolepis

indica) – or choose a

smaller size manzanita

http://coldcalculation.blogspot.com/2006/09/workhorse-landscape-plants.html

© Project SOUND

* Mount Diablo Manzanita – Arctostaphylos auriculata

© 2006 Steve Matson

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3456

Endemic to the area surrounding Mount Diablo, in Contra Costa County (e San Francisco Bay Area)

occurs primarily in chamise or manzanita chaparral. It can also be found as an understory shrub in coast live oak woodland, 400'-2000' elevation

© Project SOUND

Mount Diablo Manzanita: beautiful foliage

Size: 3-12 ft tall; usually 4-6 ft

5-10 ft wide

Growth form: Evergreen woody shrub

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

© Project SOUND

Flowers are pink!

Blooms: winter to early spring

Flowers: Usually pink – sometimes

white

Usually hairy

Many flower clusters per plant – plant covered with flowers

Otherwise, fairly typical flowers for the genus

Fruits: small & hairy until mature.

© 2006 Steve Matson

© Project SOUND

A. auriculata can take a

little more water Soils:

Texture: well-drained

pH: slightly acidic best

Light: Full sun on coast

Morning sun/dappled shade in hot gardens

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: best with a little summer water (Zone 1-2 up to 2); rinse off occasionally in summer (be ‘the fog’)

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: organic mulch (including oak and pine needles

© 2006 Steve Matson

Arctostaphylos auriculata 'Knobcone Point'

3-6 ft tall; 6-8 ft wide – spreading with erect stems

An unusual selection of manzanita that retains its close-set juvenile leaves, creating a unique fish scale-like effect

Foliage an attractive blue-green. Excellent in both coastal and inland gardens.

Pale pinkish-white flowers attract hummingbirds.

© Project SOUND

‘Greensphere’

hybrid Rounded shrub, 5’ tall x 6’ wide;

almost perfectly spherical

Dense habit; compact new growth is attractive, reddish, ages to dark green.

Full sun to part shade.

Any soil, dry to semi-dry.

one of the easiest manzanitas to grow.

© Project SOUND

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

The lowest of the low

© Project SOUND http://seedbyte.blogspot.com/2009_12_11_archive.html

© Project SOUND

Little Sur Manzanita – Arctostaphylos edmundsii

© 2007 Penny DeWind

© Project SOUND

Little Sur Manzanita – Arctostaphylos

edmundsii

Many of the low-growing manzanitas grow in sandy coastal areas, suggesting that well-drained soils are important

http://slosson.ucdavis.edu/documents/2005-200610653.pdf

© Project SOUND

Arctostaphylos edmundsii

‘Carmel Sur’

Fast growing

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

< 1 ft. tall and 4 - 6 ft. across.

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

Creeping main sterns send up many short, erect branchlets to form an attractive dense, lush-looking ground cover.

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/arctostaphylos-edmundsii-carmel-sur-manzanita

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

© Project SOUND

Arctostaphylos edmundsii

‘Big Sur’

An unusually small shrub - < 2 ft

Forms a small mound of dark green leaves and mahogany-red branches.

Unlike most smaller Manzanitas, this selection remains somewhat open, revealing the plant's characteristic beautiful branching structure.

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=1277

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

close.

© Project SOUND

Arctostaphylos edmundsii

‘Bert Johnson’

Flat mat-like stems hold gray-green leaves that flush bronze in early spring.

A compact mound forming selection to 2’ with shiny foliage and light pink flowers in spring

Reliability in a range of garden situations.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/84/238318221_cec3be656f.jpg?v=0

Excellent native ground

cover or in containers

‘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.

© Project SOUND

© 2006 Steve Matson

© Project SOUND

Purisima Manzanita – Arctostaphylos purissima

© 2004 David Graber

Endemic to western Santa Barbara County, California, including near Lompoc, site of Mission La Purísima Concepción – hence it’s name

Hills and mesas near the coast (Burton Mesa)

Maritime chaparral on deep, sandy soils, sandstone outcrops

© Project SOUND

Purissima Manzanita – Arctostaphylos purissima

© 1993 David Graber

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3523

© Project SOUND

Purisima Manzanita – a groundcover in nature

Size: Usually 3-4 ft tall; may be

8-10 on some sites

6-12 ft wide; spreading

Growth form: Woody evergreen shrub

Varies in shape from low and spreading to tall and erect.

Densely branched; young twigs are white/hairy

Foliage: Leaves shiny, bright green

May be almost round – clasp the stem

Roots: fibrous; no burl

© 2006 Adonis (Don) Tate

© 2004 David Graber

© 2006 Steve Matson

© Project SOUND

Purisima likes sand Soils:

Texture: well-drained soils – loves sandy soils

pH: most local

Light: Full sun – only along immediate

coast

Part-shade best in most gardens

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: looks best with some summer water; Zone 1-2 (clay), 1-2 to 2 in all others

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: +/- organic mulch

© 1993 David Graber

© 1993 David Graber

A. purissima ‘Burton Mesa’

2-3 ft tall; 4-5 ft wide

Loves sand but tolerates clays; very drought-tolerant

Nice natural shape – requires little pruning

Does well in many gardens

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

groundcover

A. purissima ‘Petit Margarita’

1-3 ft tall; 3-5 ft wide

Natural variant - hills S. of Lompoc

Similar to Arctostaphylos myrtifolia with its delicate leaves and sprawling habit. Unique and pretty foliage

Use in a small east facing bed or along a cool retaining wall where it can soften the top as it drapes over

Mixing this manzanita into a groundcover of ‘Sunset’ and ‘Harmony’ manzanita would be dramatic planting.

© Project SOUND

A. purissima ‘Vandenberg’

Natural variant

2-3' H x 6-8' W, mounding

Coast: full sun, inland: part shade.

Well-drained soils

Occasional to moderate water – Zone 1-2 to 2 (perhaps even 2-3 in sand)

All the nice characteristics of the species (Large lush green leaves clasp fuzzy stems; abundant flowers) but better garden tolerance.

© Project SOUND

http://www.elnativogrowers.com/Photographs_page/arcpurva.htm

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

© Project SOUND

Parry’s /Snowlodge Manzanita – Arctostaphylos parryana

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3516

http://www.worldbotanical.com/arctostaphylos.htm

For groundcovers: know their spread and

growth rate before you choose

© Project SOUND http://thehumanfootprint.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/california-natives-part-3-groundcovers-manzanitas-ceanothus/

What if you need something that’s a really

low ‘creeper’?

© Project SOUND

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

© Project SOUND

* Kinnikinnick – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

© Project SOUND

* Kinnikinnick – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3454,3542 http://www.swsbm.com/maps/Arctostaphylos_uva-ursi.gif

Also commonly called Bear Berry

Found throughout the Northern Hemisphere: N. Asia/Russia N. Europe In North America - from the northern

half of California north to Alaska and across Canada and the northern United States to New England and Newfoundland.

In CA – mostly along the N. CA coast

Rocky outcrops, slopes, sandy soils, coastal dunes, chaparral, coniferous forest

© Project SOUND

Size: < 1 ft tall

spreading: 3-15 ft wide

Growth form: Evergreen woody shrub

Very low, dense growth – mat-like

Spreads by rooting stems

Foliage: Like other Manzanitas

Leathery leaves; green but may become red-tinged in winter

Very neat appearing – garden-like

Deer will browse

Roots: fibrous; to 6+ feet depth

© 2005 Steve Matson

© 2007 Matt Below

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/aruv2.htm

Kinnikinnick is another low-growing woody shrub

© Project SOUND

Kinnikinnick - well suited

to garden conditions…

Soils: Texture: best in sandy soils, but

fine in most well-drained soils

pH: any, including quite acidic

Light: Best in part shade; tolerates full

shade (but less flowering)

Full sun only near immediate coast

Water: Young plants: Zone 2-3

Winter: needs good water – deep roots

Summer: Zone 2-3 (best); Zone 2 ok once established

Fertilizer: none

Other: delicate roots; don’t move or compact soils

© Project SOUND

Mainly used as a low

groundcover

Excellent fire-resistant groundcover under trees

Fine on parking strips in virtually all local cities – very low-growing & looks way better than ivy!

Looks nice cascading over a low retaining wall

Combine with rocks and other low groundcovers, perennials

Nice in a large pot or planter – even on shady patios

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/a/arcuva/arcuva3.html

http://courses.washington.edu/ehuf331/Plant_Pages_subfolders/ERICACEAE.shtml

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/a/arcuva/arcuva3.html

Pruning groundcover Arctostaphylos

Most are naturally dense, so don’t need to do anything to promote this

Just trim back when it grows where you don’t want it

© Project SOUND

http://laurries.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

http://www.hillkeep.ca/ts%20A-B.htm

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

Bearberry has been reported to be effective against E. coli.

For external use, it has been used as an astringent wash for cuts and scrapes.

Preparation:

Infusion in hot water: 2 tsp leaves/cup – 3 times/day + lots of water to flush system

Make a tincture by allowing the leaves to soak in brandy for 1 week before preparing the infusion.

Add 1 teaspoon of the brandy tincture to one cup of boiling water to make and infusion which can be taken 3-4 times per day.

© Project SOUND

The active medicinal compound in

Arctostaphylos uva ursi is the

Hydroquinone glycoside, Arbutin

© Project SOUND

Several Bearberry and hybrid cultivars available

‘Point Reyes’

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=407

‘Radiant’

‘Wood’s Compact’

http://www.tinytreasuresnursery.com/Genus/Plants%20A.htm

‘Pacific Mist’

http://www.jamesdeandesign.com/Slide_Show/Pl

ant_Catalog/SHRUBS/

© Project SOUND

http://www.rwa.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=2532&letter=d&return=s_p319

http://www.sm.watersavingplants.com/eplant.php?plantnum=2532&return=l2_aP

‘Pacific Mist’

‘Green Supreme’

The cultivars have very

different ‘looks’ – shop ‘til

you find the right one for

your needs

Versatile ‘Emerald

Carpet’: groundcover

to very low hedge

© Project SOUND

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

We’ve come to the end of our journey

© Project SOUND