By Cindy Kerson, UC Master Gardener of Napa County
Native to North America, manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) comes in many shapes and sizes. It can be a tree, a shrub or a ground cover. A manzanita tree can reach 20 feet in height, while the ground cover may only be two inches tall. Their twisty, knotted branches are a spectacle to behold.
Manzanita are native to North America, which doesn't really say much since North America has many different climate belts and ecosystems. Think Florida, Massachusetts, Southern California and Northern California and you get what I mean. These plantswill grow in most soils and in full or part sun, or even shade. They will drown in soggy soil, though.
Manzanita that is native to our area is known for its resilience in extreme heat. These plants have evolved to withstand the scorching temperatures of their native habitats, such as the arid regions of Southern California. Their thick, leathery leaves help reduce water loss, making them exceptionally drought tolerant.
This remarkable adaptability makes manzanita a favored choice for xeriscaping (landscaping in low-water, eco-friendly gardens) and fire-resistant landscaping, offering both beauty and practicality in hot climates. The plants are fire resistant becausethey hold water, somewhat like a succulent.
One of manzanita's most enchanting features is its clusters of small, waxy, urn-shaped flowers in white or pink. Their honeyedfragrance attracts pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds, making manzanita a vital contributor to the ecosystem. The blossoms eventually give way to small, berry-like fruits that birds and other wildlife enjoy.
Different species of manzanita have different blooming periods, generally from late fall to spring. The common manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita) typically blooms from January to March, offering an early burst of color and fragrance. The Pajaro manzanita (Arctostaphylos pajaroensis) blooms slightly later, from February to April, extending the floral show into the heart of spring.
Given this staggered flowering, there is almost always some type of manzanita in bloom during the months when other plants are dormant. The extended flowering not only provides continuous beauty in the landscape but also supports pollinators all year, enhancing biodiversity and ecological health.
There are more than 100 species of manzanita, and the list keeps growing. By carefully selecting different species for your garden, you can enjoy year-round bloom and know that your landscape is benefiting the environment.
Napa County Master Gardeners chose both Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet' and Arctostaphylos edmundsii ‘Little Sur' forthe Las Flores Learning Garden in north Napa. Some were planted along the walkway of the Low Water-Low Maintenance Garden and some within the California Native Garden, shaded by a towering Raywood ash tree.
Interestingly, the Emerald Carpet is thriving, but the Little Sur died last summer. Recall the weeks of temperatures topping 100°F? We upped the water because other plants were suffering but this didn't help Little Sur. We hoped it would come back over the winter, but it has not.
We have since learned that this variety is named after Big Sur, where it thrives along beach dunes and in sandy soil. Lesson learned.
This experience underscores the importance of carefully choosing subspecies of plants that are suited to the specific climate and soil conditions of your garden. Not all subspecies thrive under the same circumstances. Little Sur, native to the sandy dunes of Big Sur, struggled in the heavy soil and intense summer heat of north Napa, while Emerald Carpet flourished in the same conditions.
When selecting plants for your garden, consider their native habitat and environmental preferences. Soil type, soil moisture, temperature ranges and sun exposure can significantly impact a plant's health and success. California native plants may not thrive in every part of our diverse state.
Consult your smart phone when you shop. The information on nursery plant tags may not tell you enough. Be sure you know exactly which plant variety you're considering and what it needs. Armed with knowledge, you can avoid disappointmentand wasted time, money and effort.
Library Talk: Join UC Master Gardeners of Napa County for a talk on “Containing my Dahlia Enthusiasm,” on Thursday, March 6, from 7 pm to 8 pm, via Zoom. Dahlias love full sun and produce dazzling flowers. However, rodents and other pests adore them as much as we do. Learn how to address these challenges and grow show-stopping blooms in pots, gopher baskets and grow bags. Click here to register.
Workshop: Join UC Master Gardeners of Napa County for a workshop on “Spring and Summer Vegetables” on Saturday, March 8, from 10 am to noon, at University of California Cooperative Extension, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Suite 4, Napa. Come get your hands dirty in this hands-on vegetable growing workshop. Learn what to plant now and what to plant later when the weather warms. Soil prep, irrigation, seed starting, transplanting and potential problems: we'll cover it all. Click here to register!
Help Desk: The Master Gardener Help Desk is available to answer your garden questions on Mondays and Fridays from 10 am until 1 pm at the University of California Cooperative Extension Office, 1710 Soscol Avenue, Suite 4, Napa. Or send your questions to mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. Include your name, address, phone number and a brief description of the problem.