q arctostaphylos glauca

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. Growth characteristics: 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 gray-green, simple, rounded, leathery. Leaves usually upright on branches. May be trained up to a multi-trunk tree – lovely, open architectural-looking form. Inhibits growth of plants underneath it. Blooms/fruits: 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. 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. Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: provides nectar, cover and berries – attracts wide range of pollinators and other insects, fruits eating birds. Requirements: Element Requirement Sun Full sun to light shade Soil Well-drained; rocky or sandy soil best; any local pH – alkali soils fine. Water Regular water (Zone 2-3) first year, then little to none (Zone 1 or 1-2). Fertilizer None needed. Other Organic mulches recommended. Management: 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. 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

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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.

Growth characteristics: 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 gray-green, simple, rounded, leathery. Leaves usually upright on branches. May be trained up to a multi-trunk tree –

lovely, open architectural-looking form. Inhibits growth of plants underneath it.

Blooms/fruits: 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.

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.

Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: provides nectar, cover and berries – attracts wide range of pollinators and other insects, fruits eating birds.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to light shade

Soil Well-drained; rocky or sandy soil best; any local pH – alkali soils fine.

Water Regular water (Zone 2-3) first year, then little to none (Zone 1 or 1-2).

Fertilizer None needed.

Other Organic mulches recommended.

Management: 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.