A very cool cross of two lovely low growing manzanitas, the commonly seen bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and the very rare San Bruno Mountain manzanita, Arctostaphylos imbricata. This one is easy to grow, tolerating some summer water but still prefers a well draining soil. Cool geometric pattern to the foliage, and it makes an excellent thick mounding ground cover.

Latin Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi x imbricata
Site and Soil: Full sun and very well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Self fruitful
Hardiness: Hardy to about 5° F.
Size at Maturity: 2 ft in height and 6′ or so in width
Bloom Time: Late winter
Pests & Diseases: No pests or diseases that we’ve seen on our plants here in Portland
USDA Zone: 7b

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Funky little hybrid manzanita groundcover from the Kalmiopsis Wilderness not far from Babyfoot Creek that we were immediately smitten by. Seems to be an easy one in cultivation so long as you provide well draining soil and minimal summer water after establishment. Super cute round leaves that have a nice blue hue to them. Sometimes you find bigfoot and sometimes you find babyfoot…

Latin Name: Arctostaphylos hybrid (nevadensis x viscida?)
Site and Soil: Well draining unamended soils in full sun
Hardiness: Hardy to about 5 F.
Size at Maturity: ~2′ x 6′, but not sure long term how large it will grow
Bloom Time: Late winter into spring
Pests & Diseases: None that we have observed
USDA Zone: 7b

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A selection of one of our favorite species of manzanita that we selected for its very tight compact growth and excellent texture. The foliage texture on this one looks somewhat like Arctostaphylos auriculata or a compact Hebe when viewed from above with a psychedelic geometry thing going on. New growth is bright red and contrasts beautifully with the light blue foliage. Easy to grow so far and seemingly quite garden tolerant, but give it great drainage as they do grow on sand.

Latin Name: Arctostaphylos pajaroensis ‘Shooting Star’
Site and Soil: Well draining unamended soils in full sun
Hardiness: Hardy to about 5 F.
Size at Maturity: 5′ x 5′, but not sure long term how large it will grow
Bloom Time: Late winter into spring
Pests & Diseases: None that we have observed
USDA Zone: 7b

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Very cool form of Arctostaphylos manzanita! We picked this one up from the wonderful California Flora Nursery on a roadtrip years ago and it has been lighting up the driveway garden at the nursery ever since. Sometimes yellow tipped plants look like they just need a bit of fertilizer, but this one really shines and looks intentional about its yellowy growth tips. Grows at a quick pace but doesn’t get leggy with exuberant growth like some Arcto manzanitas can.

Latin Name: Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Bates Yellow’
Site and Soil: Well draining unamended soils in full sun
Hardiness: Hardy to about 5 F.
Size at Maturity: 6′ x 4 ‘ so far after 5 years in ground
Bloom Time: Late winter into spring, but sometimes starting in the fall
Pests & Diseases: None that we have observed
USDA Zone: 7b

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One of the best of an already stunning and favorite species of manzanita (Arctostaphylos parajoensis), we first got this plant from Ian Barclay at Desert Northwest Nursery. It likely goes under another name, possibly Brett’s Beauty, but Ian couldn’t remember and so called it Awesome Red for very obvious reasons. It has some of the most vivid red growth of any manzanita, or any plant for that matter, that we’ve ever seen. It contrasts very nicely with the unique dark green and slightly glaucous blue leaf. Very easy to grow if given full sun and well draining soil.

Latin Name: Arctostaphylos pajaroensis ‘Awesome Red’
Site and Soil: Well draining unamended soils in full sun
Hardiness: Hardy to about 5 F.
Size at Maturity: 4’x6′ so far after 5 years in ground
Bloom Time: Late winter into spring
Pests & Diseases: None that we have observed
USDA Zone: 7b

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A strikingly beautiful new variegated Sempervivum selection. The white edges along each leaf really accentuate the beautiful lotus blossom shape that Sempervivums naturally have. Treat like any other Sempervivum by giving it sharp drainage, ideally in a rock wall or in between pavers.

Latin Name: Sempervivum x ‘Lotus Blossom’
Site and Soil: Full sun and very well-drained soil. Very drought tolerant once established and it will need little to no supplemental watering during the summer season, though a bit of summer water speeds growth.
Hardiness: Hardy to approx. -40º F.
Size at Maturity: 1  ft. in height by 1 ft. wide
Bloom Time: early spring through summer every decade or so
Pests & Diseases: Not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 3

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Latin Name: Cistus x pulverulentus
Site and Soil: Rock Roses prefer well draining soil and full sun
Hardiness: 10º Fahrenheit 
Size at Maturity: 2-4’x4′
Bloom Time: late spring
Pests & Diseases: None
USDA Zone: 7b

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One of the best textured hebes, with excellent cupped foliage that gives you a bit of psychedelic vision when viewed from above. Beautiful blue grey foliage is stunning year round and also provides an excellent back drop for the purple flowers in late spring. Stays relatively compact and clean unless grown in deep shade.

Latin Name: Hebe x ‘Champion’
Site and Soil: Full sun and tolerant of many soil conditions so long as they are well draining.
Hardiness: 0º Fahrenheit
Size at Maturity: 2′ x 3′
Bloom Time: Early Summer
Pests & Diseases: None
USDA Zone: 7

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Diablo’s Blush is an excellent and rare manzanita that grows only on Mt. Diablo to the east of the Bay Area. New growth emerges a bright pink that contrasts beautifully with the grey foliage and the auriculate foliage provides an amazing texture, especially when viewed from above. Very drought tolerant once established and needing no supplemental watering after its first year or two in the ground.

Latin Name: Arctostaphylos auriculata
Site and Soil: Full sun and very well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Self fruitful
Hardiness: Hardy to about 0-5° F.
Size at Maturity: 5-6 ft in height and width, smaller with pruning.
Bloom Time: Late winter
Pests & Diseases: No pests or diseases that we’ve seen on our plants here in Portland
USDA Zone: 7b

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The most commonly seen manzanita in landscapes, Kinnikinnick is also the most widespread manzanita species on the planet. While almost every Arctostaphylos species is native to the West Coast of North America, with a few species spread into the more interior Southwest, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is the only one that grows not just along the West Coast but also far into Canada, the Northeastern United States as well as into Asia and Europe. It typically grows at high elevations on rocky outcrops, but in cultivation it is amenable to many different situations. This selection, ‘Massachusetts’, is not the best for hot dry areas, and will perform best with summer water. Extremely cold hardy and even a bit shade tolerant.

Latin Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Site and Soil: Well draining unamended soils in full to part sun
Hardiness: Hardy to about -40 F.
Size at Maturity: 12″ high by 6′ wide
Bloom Time: Late winter into spring
Pests & Diseases: None that we have observed
USDA Zone: 3

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