Arctostaphylos patula
greenleaf manzanita
Overview
Arctostaphylos patula is an evergreen shrub of western North American mountains, growing 3-7 ft (0.9-2.1 m) tall and often wider than tall, with a rounded, spreading form. Its crooked branches carry smooth, mahogany-red bark that peels in thin flakes, a hallmark of the manzanitas. The bright green leaves are rounded to oval, 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) long, leathery, and held vertically, with both surfaces alike. Small urn-shaped flowers in pink to white open in dense nodding clusters in spring, followed by round reddish-brown berries about 0.3 in (8 mm) wide. Many populations form a woody basal burl that resprouts after fire. It grows on dry, sunny montane slopes in coarse, rocky soils, often after burns or in open conifer forest. It needs sharp drainage and declines in heavy, wet, or fertile soils. The berries feed bears, birds, and other wildlife, and the genus name manzanita means little apple for the fruit.
Native Range
Native to the mountains of western North America, from Oregon and California east to Colorado and south into the mountains of Baja California, mostly at 3,000-9,000 ft (900-2,700 m). It grows in dry montane chaparral, open coniferous forest, and on slopes recovering from fire.Suggested Uses
Grown in native plant, rock, and waterwise gardens of the interior West, and used for slope stabilization and habitat on dry, sunny sites. It is spaced 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) apart on well-drained ground. The flowers support native bees and hummingbirds, and the berries feed wildlife.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 7'
Width/Spread4' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Clusters of pink to white urn-shaped flowers open in spring, from April to June depending on elevation, with higher sites blooming later. Bloom lasts about 3-4 weeks. Reddish-brown berries ripen through summer and may persist into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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 patula grows in full sun in coarse, rocky, sharply drained soils and tolerates drought once established, needing little or no summer water. It grows at a pH of 5.5-7.0 and is intolerant of rich soil and standing moisture, which promote root rot. Summer watering in heavy soil is a common cause of decline. It withstands cold mountain winters and hard frost. Little pruning or feeding is required. Phytophthora spp. root rot is the main risk in cultivation, almost always linked to overwatering or poor drainage.Pruning
Little pruning is needed beyond removing dead or damaged wood, done after flowering in late spring. Light tip pruning of young plants encourages a fuller form. Old, fire-adapted plants resprout from the basal burl if cut back hard or burned.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring