Should also be kept widely spaced from one another and regularly maintained by thinning and pruning out ALL dead branches and twigs. When well maintained, most manzanita species are relatively fire resistant. Without proper maintenance, manzanita can contribute significantly to wildfires – based on this, it should be avoided in the defensible space zone of houses in Marin’s WUI unless well spaced, regularly pruned, and lightly irrigated during the summer and fall.
There are about 60 species of Arctostaphylos, ranging from ground-hugging arctic, coastal, and mountain species to small trees up to 6 m tall. Most are evergreen (one species deciduous), with small oval leaves 1-7 cm long, arranged spirally on the stems. The flowers are bell-shaped, white or pale pink, and borne in small clusters of 2-20 together; flowering is in the spring. The fruit are small berries, ripening in the summer or autumn. The berries of some species are edible. Plant Height: Under 1′, 1-3′, 3-6′, 6-12′, 12-25′
Flower Color: Pink
Attracts Wildlife: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Leaf Color: Green Flower
Season: Winter, Spring
