Other Names:  Arctostaphylos patula x uva-ursi

Description:

A handsome, densely leafed shrub that can be maintained as a groundcover or low hedge; very dainty pinkish-white flowers cover this fine selection in spring; does not like alkaline soils; prefers some protection from midday sun

Ornamental Features

Hybrid Colorado Manzanita features dainty clusters of shell pink bell-shaped flowers with white overtones at the ends of the branches from early to late spring. It has dark green foliage with hints of olive green which emerges coppery-bronze in spring. The oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy dark red drupes displayed from late summer to mid fall.

Landscape Attributes

Hybrid Colorado Manzanita is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Hybrid Colorado Manzanita is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Hybrid Colorado Manzanita will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. You may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have sandy, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.