Manzanita “Howard McMinn” Arctostaphylos viscida (whiteleaf Manzanita)
This California native shrub can reach heights up to 16 feet. It often has hairy stems with rounded to oval leaves that are sometimes slightly toothed. When flowering, it is heavily packed with densely bunched flower clusters of white to pale pink flowers. Bumblebees love this plant! The fruits are small, shiny red or greenish-brown drupes up to 1 centimeter wide. Seeds require fire for germination.
Generally, this plant grows between 3,000-5,000 feet in elevation, and thrives with full sun and well-drained soil. It is very drought tolerant and doesn’t require summer watering.
Fun Fact: The Miwok of northern California use the fruits to make cider.
