Description:

A handsome, densely leafed shrub that can be maintained as a hedge; dainty white, (or less often pale pink) flowers cover this fine selection in mid winter; does not like alkaline soils; this is a coastal plant, protect from midday sun when planted inland

Ornamental Features

Santa Rosa Island Manzanita features dainty nodding white bell-shaped flowers at the ends of the branches from mid winter to early spring. It has olive green foliage with grayish green undersides which emerges light green in spring. The glossy oval leaves remain olive green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy brick red drupes displayed from mid summer to early winter. The smooth brown bark and brick red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Santa Rosa Island 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. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Santa Rosa Island Manzanita is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Santa Rosa Island Manzanita will grow to be about 7 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. 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. 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 xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. 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 species is native to parts of North America.