Mike Evans is co-owner of the Tree of Life Nursery, wholesale growers of California native plants in San Juan Capistrano. He has served on the Xeriscape Committee in California since its foundation.

The manzanita is probably the known California shrub. Many species with their smooth redbrown bark, attract a second took from even the most casual observer. The branches and burls of Arctostaphylos (which is Greek for “Bear Grapes” and is the botanical name for manzanita) are highly prized as ornaments; so desirable that a law had to be passed prohibiting their cutting from the wild.

There are about 50 species of manzanitas distributed in North and Central America, chiefly on the Pacific Coast. More than 40 species are native to California, varying from low prostrate ground covers to small trees. Surprisingly, these rugged chaparral plants are in the same plant family as Heather (Erica), Rhododendron, Azalea, Huckleberry (Vaccinium), and Madrone (Arbutus). In a moment, we’ll see how that family relationship, will give us some solid clues for successful use of the manzanita in the landscape.

From a landscape standpoint, McMinn Manzanita is one selection of Arctostaphylos that has been a long time favorite, and rightly so! In the circles where it is known, Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Howard McMinn,’ as it is property called, has been recognized and used as one of the best California shrubs available. It attains a height of about four feet while spreading six to eight feet. Its shiny lime-green leaves densely clothe the twisted red branches. It looks best when provided with the recommended once-a-month deep watering during the summer, but can also be naturalized in some areas, especially near the coast. The fine texture and sturdy habit of this plant make it attractive when viewed either from a distance (planted in mass), or as a single specimen plant. McMinn Manzanita also makes an admirable hedge.

For use in the Xeriscape, don’t punish this or any manzanita! While being completely drought tolerate once established, the Arctostaphylos varieties prefer well drained soil and a cool, somewhat moist root zone. In the wild, they find these requirements by exploring deep soils, which are kept fresh by a natural layer of mulch. Most varieties perform poorly in highly alkaline soils. In the arid parts of the southwest, compacted soils exposed by cut-fill grading are usually candidates for more versatile plant materials than manzanita. You see, like its relative the Azalea, young manzanitas have an extremely fibrous root system. If these small roots are deprived of oxygen (in wet, compacted soils), or water (as a result of completely drying out), the plants will suffer. While McMinn Manzanita and some of the other coastal varieties will tolerate naturally heavy top soils, it seems that most sub-surface clays are not a condition ideal to support this type of plant. Simply because manzanitas are “native,” do not reserve them for the hot, dry out-back where “nothing” else will grow.

Arctostaphylos densiflora “Howard McMinn’; finds its best use in the xeriscape as a foundation plant or accent shrub in a “garden” situation. It will grow in full sun or part shade. At interior stations such as the Central Valley, it should be protected from afternoon sun. It can be used under deciduous trees such as Liquidambar, where it will receive winter sun and summer shade.

Truly, this highly recommended plant does deserve its good reputation. McMinn Manzanita is another strong component in the authentic landscape, appropriate for today’s xeriscape.

Editor’s Note:

We overlooked crediting Mike Evans for the story “Space and Xeriscape” in the April 1986 issue. Evans is a regular and valued columnist for The Landscape Architect and Specifier News.