shrubN. America Native

Common Manzanita

Q: What zones can Common Manzanita grow in?

Common Manzanita is hardy in USDA Zones 7–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Q: Is Common Manzanita deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Common Manzanita, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

Q: When does Common Manzanita bloom?

Common Manzanita typically blooms in winter through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Q: Does Common Manzanita need full sun?

Common Manzanita does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Q: Is Common Manzanita drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Common Manzanita handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.

Arctostaphylos manzanita

$14.00

The Story

Plant Bio

Arctostaphylos manzanita is a large evergreen shrub or small tree native to California, characterized by its smooth, dark mahogany-red exfoliating bark and crooked, twisting branches. The simple, ovate leaves are a glaucous gray-green, providing a structural backdrop for drooping clusters of white to pale pink, bell-shaped flowers that appear from late winter into spring.

This species is highly drought-tolerant once established and serves as a vital early-season nectar source for native bees and hummingbirds. The flowers mature into dry, mealy red berries that persist into summer and are consumed by local wildlife.

Uses & Benefits:

Striking smooth mahogany bark, architectural twisting branches, and delicate winter-blooming flowers.

Excellent for stabilizing dry slopes and requiring zero summer water once established.

Provides critical late-winter nectar for hummingbirds and native bees, and summer berries for songbirds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

144"

Width

120"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

California

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Winter – Spring

In flower about 6 months of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Dancing Oaks

<1 Gal Pot

In Stock$14.00

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with exceptionally well-drained soil, preferably on a slope or mound if clay is present.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but exactly the same depth to prevent the crown from settling below the soil line.
Gently slide the plant from its container, avoiding any disturbance, shaking, or tearing of the sensitive root system.
Backfill with native soil without adding compost or organic amendments, tamp lightly, and water deeply to settle.

Pro Tip

Never enrich the planting hole or apply summer drip irrigation; manzanitas thrive on neglect and are easily killed by warm, wet soils which promote fatal Phytophthora root rot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water deeply but infrequently during the first summer to establish the root system.
Mulch with a thin layer of gravel or wood chips, keeping the mulch several inches away from the main stem.
Prune dead or crossing branches in late summer when fungal pathogens are least active.

Don't

Do not apply nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which cause weak, disease-prone growth.
Never shear the shrub or cut back into old, leafless wood, as it lacks dormant buds to resprout.
Do not install drip emitters near the root crown or water during the hot summer months once established.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mulch
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen plantingErosion control on slopesChaparral and native gardensHedge or screen

Companion Plants

Quercus douglasii Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Salvia apiana Pinus sabiniana

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions