Description
A lovely evergreen PNW native with a range that extends from coastal Vancouver Island* to the San Fransisco basin. Pale pink bell like flowers (much like Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) are borne over months giving a prolonged nectar source for bumblebees, hummingbirds and other nectar seekers. Rust-red-orange berries are borne in clusters in the late summer/fall and are food for bear, deer and birds. Small oval-lance shaped gray thick leaves are not deer fodder. Perfect for dry sites with full sun. Detests poorly draining soil and shade.
At first look I thought this was an Arbutus family member with its flaking red bark and upright bushy form. Looking at Pojar, to my surprise, it is a Arctostaphylos. Overall, its an attractive trouble free plant suitable for landscaping. Flowers are born on terminal branch/twig tips so be aware if you prune in the fall, you are removing next spring’s flowers. Manzanita is Spanish for “little apples.”
*There have been reports of plants on the Queen Charlotte Islands.
- Seed Count: 20-25
- Collection Date: Sept 2024
- Hardiness Zone: 7-10
- Height and Width: 1-3m x 3m
- Preferred conditions: full sun; average well draining soils
- Germination test type: float
- Family: Ericaceae
How to germinate Arctostaphylos columbiana seeds:
Heavy seed coat needs to be scarified by mechanical methods or by acid to mimic the passage through a digestive tract. Soak seed in water for 24 hours. With a small amount of sharp sand (or grit) rub the seed and sand between your gloved hands for half a minute (simulates grit in bird gut) to scarify tough seed coat. Resoak seed for 24 hours. Wake the embryo by warm stratifying the seed for 120 days followed by cold stratification for 90 days. Will then germinate under Spring like conditions of 30 C daytime and 20 C night time temps. Sow thinly at 2-3 mm deep in sand/humus mix. Prick out at 4-5 true leaf stage to individual pots to grow out. Be aware that overly moist conditions will cause rot.
