Genus: Arctostaphylos

Common Names: manzanitas, bearberries

A genus of around 70 species of shrubs, most of which are evergreen with clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers which ripen into berries that resemble small apples (giving rise to its common name). Some species have edible berries and have been used in traditional medicine by first nations peoples. Arctostaphylos species and hybrids are also popular ornamentals in dry-summer climates and numerous cultivars are available in the horticultural trade.

Distribution: mostly in chaparral plant communities from Baja California north into British Columbia. One species, A. uva-ursi, is widespread in the temperate Northern hemisphere

Arctostaphylos 'Austin Griffiths'

Common name(s): manzanita

Description: evergreen shrub; upright growth with exfoliating mahogany bark and sage green foliage. Abundant pink urn flowers through most of winter.

Height: to 10 ft. Spread: to 8 ft.

Position: full sun, and lean, well-draining soil. Ideally in a site with excellent air circulation 

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Arctostaphylos 'John Dourley'

Common name(s): manzanita

Description: evergreen shrub; low, spreading growth into a dense mound with bluish-green foliage. Abundant pink urn flowers in winter followed by red berries.

Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 6 ft.

Position: full sun, and lean, well-draining soil. Ideally in a site with excellent air circulation 

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Arctostaphylos 'Sentinel'

Common name(s): manzanita

Description: evergreen shrub; rounded, somewhat upright growth with burgundy bark and slightly gray-green foliage. Very floriferous and adorned with pink urn flowers in late winter. 

Height: to 10 ft. Spread: to 8 ft.

Position: full sun, and lean, well-draining soil. Ideally in a site with excellent air circulation 

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Arctostaphylos 'White Lanterns'

Common name(s): manzanita

Description: evergreen shrub; dense, rounded growth with small, dark green leaves. Abundant white urn flowers in winter. Relatively slow-growing, but worth the wait.

Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.

Position: full sun, and lean, well-draining soil. Ideally in a site with excellent air circulation 

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Arctostaphylos [Orleans, CA]

Common name(s): manzanita

Description: evergreen shrub; mounding growth with exfoliating mahogany bark and clean, green foliage. Pale pink-white urn flowers in winter. 

Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 6 ft.

Position: full sun, and lean, well-draining soil. Ideally in a site with excellent air circulation 

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Arctostaphylos nummularia 'Bear Belly'

Common name(s): glossyleaf manzanita, Fort Bragg manzanita

Description: evergreen shrub; a compact selection from Havens Neck, CA by the late Kent Taylor of Taylor's Herb Gardens. A low, dense mat of glossy green foliage and pinkish-white bell flowers in late winter.

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: partial shade and lean, well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental, weed-suppressing groundcover, to attract pollinators

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Arctostaphylos rudis

Common name(s): manzanita, sand mesa manzanita, shag bark manzanita

Description: evergreen shrub; low, spreading growth with rough, shaggy bark. Blush pink urn flowers in winter followed by red berries.

Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 6 ft.

Position: full sun, and lean, well-draining soil. Ideally in a site with excellent air circulation 

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Arctostaphylos pumila 'Grey Leaf Form'

Common name(s): manzanita, sandmat manzanita, dune manzanita

Description: evergreen shrub; dense, rounded growth with mahogany bark and small, gray-green leaves. pink-tinted white urn flowers in mid winter and early spring.

Height: to 5 ft. Spread: to 7 ft.

Position: full sun, and lean, well-draining soil. Ideally in a site with excellent air circulation 

Uses: ornamental, to attract pollinators

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought