* Pajaro Manzanita – Arctostaphylos pajaroensis (ark-toh-STAF-ih-los pa-har-oh-EN-sis)

Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)

Native to: Endemic to Monterey & Santa Cruz counties; maritime chaparral or edges of Coastal Oak

Woodland on deep to shallow, sandy soils or sandstone outcroppings.

Growth characteristics: woody shrub mature height: 4-6 ft. mature width: 4-8+ ft. Sprawling evergreen shrub with mounding shape that makes it useful as a shrub or woody

groundcover. Bark dark-red to gray (older). Very dense foliage – leaves are simple, typical for

Manzanitas, green to blue-green. Leaves may turn red in fall/winter in colder gardens. New leaves

often have coppery edges – very attractive & unusual.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms in winter (Dec-Jan most common). Flowers are the small, pink-white, urn-

shaped flowers typical of Manzanitas. Very showy in bloom and a favorite of hummingbirds.

Uses in the garden: One of the better medium-size Manzanitas for the garden. Does well even in

hotter inland areas. Most often used as a specimen plant or as a taller groundcover. May be

pruned as a small tree. Dense foliage makes it a good habitat plant. Can be hedged lightly. Berries

are edible (usually to make cider drink or cooked). Arctostaphylos parajoensis X A. hookeri hybrid

‘Sunset’ makes excellent ground cover. Cultivars ‘Myrtle Wolfe’, ‘Paradise’ and ‘Warren Roberts’ are

attractive choices. Be sure to see it, in bloom if possible, before selecting species or cultivar.

Sensible substitute for: Non-native woody shrubs/small trees.

Attracts: Excellent habitat for birds, small animals: provides cover, nesting sites and berries.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to light shade

Soil Well-drained best; likes a sandy soil. pH to 6.0 (slightly acidic) to neutral.

Water Zone 2 is probably optimal (occasional summer water) but quite drought tolerant.

Fertilizer None needed; use an organic mulch

Other

Management: Quite easy to grow in well-drained soils. Can be pruned to shape – even lightly

hedged – if desired, but has a nice natural shape.

Propagation: from seed: yes by cuttings: semi-soft-wood in summer-fall

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 13, 14 1/29/10 * Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co. © Project SOUND