Arctostaphylos

Small green leaves and light pink flowers combine with the expected good bark color and texture and trunks and branches. This will be an open broad rounded shrub 6 or 7 feet tall and as wide in ten years depending on the gardener. Drought tolerant, this requires little summer water in our dry summers and good drainage is key. Our overwintering Anna's hummingbirds appreciate the early spring flowers.

A Bay Area species thought to be extinct until a single plant was discovered in 2009 during a botanical survey prior to a freeway expansion. This one plant was dug and lifted by crane for transplanting to San Francisco Botanical Garden and one of the first propagations was given to us by the curator. Low growing to 2 feet or so and spreading with white flowers. Perfect example of ex situ conservation by botanic gardens and specialist nurseries.

A remarkable Manzanita native to the southern Mendocino Coast which features unusually large rounded leaves for a groundcover type. Makes a dense cover mounding to 24"-30" tall and 8' + across with white flowers and bird attractant small fruit. The leaves seem verging on succulent giving this a uniquely appealing look. The name commemorates Peter Ehrlich, former head Forester at the Presidio in San Francisco, who died in a bike accident in 2017.

Very choice species native to CA and growing on old stablized sand dunes where it can reach 3' high and twice as wide. This could make a nice specimen plant, low hedge or large informal groundcover. Drought and salt tolerant with early season white flowers and birds will eat the fruit.

Extremely handsome big evergreen shrub to 10'x10' or more. Classic mahogany bark peeling to reveal that much loved Hi-Gloss finish on the trunk and branches. Pink buds in spring open to white urn-shaped flowers, followed by clusters of russet not messy-at-all fruit which has some avian appeal. Leaves are held perpendicular to the sun to conserve water which is an adaptation to summer heat and low or no rainfall. So no mollycoddling whatsoever with this one. Well-drained soil of low fertility and don't water once established. As much as we love mulching with manure, don't on this one or any other shrubby Arctostaphylos. There really are plants whose main requirement is that you do nothing except admire.

Choice small tree-like shrub to 10' with large clusters of pearl pink flowers in winter. Lightly furry blue-gray leaves combined with twisted smooth bark of a rich chestnut brown makes this one of the finest cultivars. Full sun and good drainage and happy with no summer water when established.

Arctostaphylos afficionados Paul and Greg at Xera Plants say this is their favorite Manzanita which made it a must-have for us. Fits in the home garden and tolerant of garden conditions, this get just 2' high by 4' across in time. Rocking reddish new growth turns to blue-green. Pink flowers late winter. Drought tolerant.

Here is the answer for those who want to grow a classy groundcover Manzanita that isn't Kinnikinnick. We planted a 1 gallon plant 5 years ago in our dry garden and it is 1 foot tall and making a 6 foot circle. Small glossy leaves on reddish stems and white bells in spring. Good things come in small packages. Lean soil, no organic mulch we use washed sand.