Arctostaphylos hookeri
mills manzanita
Coastal central California (Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Mateo counties)
Overview
Arctostaphylos hookeri is an evergreen low-mounding to spreading shrub reaching 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) wide. Bark is smooth red-brown to mahogany, peeling in thin sheets and revealing pale orange-tan inner bark. Leaves are bright green to gray-green, elliptic to oblong, 0.5-1.25 inches (1.3-3.2 cm) long, leathery, with rounded to slightly pointed tips. Urn-shaped flowers are white to pale pink, 0.25 inch (6 mm) long, borne in short pendant clusters of 4-12 from January through April. Fruit is a bright red to red-brown drupe, 0.25-0.4 inch (6-10 mm) across, maturing in summer. Growth rate is slow; plants reach 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) of spread within 5 years from a 1-gallon (3.8 L) container. Foliage holds throughout the year in coastal climates; inland plantings show summer leaf scorch above 95°F (35°C). Susceptibility to Phytophthora cinnamomi root rot in summer-irrigated clay soils causes most failures; the species is naturally adapted to long dry summers and rocky, sandy substrates.
Native Range
Endemic to the coastal scrub and chaparral communities of central California, primarily in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Mateo counties. Grows on coastal terraces, sandy bluffs, and serpentine soils within 2 miles (3.2 km) of the Pacific Ocean at elevations from sea level to 600 feet (180 m). Several recognized varieties (var. hookeri, var. franciscana, var. ravenii) occur in geographically restricted populations.Suggested Uses
Used as an evergreen ground cover or low foundation shrub on dry banks and rocky slopes, spaced 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) apart. Companion plantings with Ceanothus spp., Salvia clevelandii, and Eriogonum fasciculatum occur in California native habitat gardens. Containers of at least 7 gallons (26 L) hold sufficient root volume; smaller pots typically lead to summer water stress.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread5' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Blooms January through April in coastal California, with peak bloom February through March. Individual flower clusters last 2-3 weeks; total bloom period extends 8-12 weeks across the population. Bloom timing shifts 2-3 weeks later in cooler maritime sites and earlier in inland heat. Drought stress in late winter reduces flower count by 30-50%.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pale pinkFoliage Description
bright green to gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-8 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
Water deeply every 10-14 days during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Established plants in coastal climates require no supplemental irrigation; inland plantings in zones 9-10 receive monthly deep watering from May through September. Crown rot from Phytophthora cinnamomi causes the majority of cultivation failures, particularly in clay soils with summer irrigation. Leaf gall aphid Tamalia coweni forms red leaf swellings on new foliage; cosmetic only. Foliar fungal leaf spots can appear in humid conditions; affected leaves drop and regrow. Fertilization is not required and can increase pest susceptibility.Pruning
Light tip pruning to remove dead or broken branches is done from late spring through early fall. Cuts into wood thicker than 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) typically die back to the next branch junction; major shape changes are not feasible. Crossing or chafing stems can be removed annually to maintain the open low form.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons