Arctostaphylos, Genus, glauca, Species,
- Genus & species
big berry manzanita
Central and southern California and northern Baja California
Overview
Arctostaphylos glauca is a large evergreen shrub or small tree in the heath family, growing 6-20 feet (1.8-6 m) tall with a broad, open crown and smooth, dark red-brown bark that peels in thin sheets. The rounded to oval leaves are 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long, leathery, and coated with a pale blue-gray, waxy bloom that gives the plant its grayish look. From winter into early spring it carries hanging clusters of urn-shaped white to pale pink flowers about 0.25 inch (6 mm) long. These are followed by round, sticky reddish-brown berries 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) wide, larger than those of most manzanitas, which ripen in summer. It grows on dry slopes and ridges in chaparral across central and southern California and into northern Baja California. Unlike burl-forming manzanitas, it does not resprout after fire and instead regenerates from seed, so wildfire kills standing plants. Its need for sharp drainage and dry summers makes it short-lived in irrigated gardens and heavy soils.
Native Range
Native to central and southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico. It grows on dry slopes, ridges, and rocky outcrops in chaparral, often below about 4,500 feet (1,400 m).Suggested Uses
Used in California native plant gardens, dry slopes, and chaparral and habitat plantings, and as a small specimen for its red bark and winter bloom. It suits unirrigated, low-water landscapes on well-drained ground rather than regularly watered beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 20'
Width/Spread6' - 15'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pale pinkFoliage Description
blue-grayGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Arctostaphylos glauca grows in full sun on dry, sharply drained rocky or sandy slopes and tolerates poor soils. It is drought tolerant once established and needs no summer water; summer irrigation in heavy soil promotes root rot from soil-borne pathogens. It tolerates a soil pH from about 5.5 to 7.0 and grows slowly into a long-lived plant. Because it does not resprout from a burl, plants killed by fire or hard cutting do not return and must regrow from seed. Young plants establish more readily with occasional water in the first dry season, then taper to none. It needs good air movement to limit leaf and branch fungal diseases.Pruning
Light pruning to shape the plant and remove dead wood is done after flowering. Because it does not resprout from a burl, hard cutting into old wood can kill the plant. Removing lower branches over time reveals the smooth red bark.Pruning Schedule
Prune: March–April
early spring
