Other Names:  Whiteleaf Manzanita

Description:

A dense, large shrub featuring glaucous, gray-green leaves; very dainty white flowers cover this fine selection from mid-winter to spring; does not like alkaline soils; this is a coastal plant, protect from midday sun when planted inland

Ornamental Features

White Leaf Common Manzanita features dainty nodding white bell-shaped flowers at the ends of the branches from mid winter to early spring. The fruits are showy red drupes carried in abundance from mid summer to early fall. It has bluish-green-variegated grayish green foliage which emerges light green in spring. The glossy oval leaves remain grayish green throughout the winter. The smooth dark red bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

White Leaf Common Manzanita is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

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 has no significant negative characteristics.

White Leaf Common Manzanita is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

White Leaf Common Manzanita will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 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 may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. 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.