Hybrid of undetermined manzanita species, possibly Arctostaphylos obispoensis and Arctostaphylos pajaroensis. A beautiful manzanita with blue-green leaves, red-brown bark and dark pink flowers. Perfect as a hedge, in a dry garden, on a slope or as a specimen tree. Clusters of urn-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds in winter. A very spectacular shrubby manzanita. This big shrub grows to 8' - 10' tall with a 10-15' spread. It is a hybrid of A. pajaroensis which was grown at Rancho santa Ana Botanic Garden from seed supplied by Lester Rowntree, for whom it is named. The small, urn shaped flowers are very showy, with a deep magenta pink color that contrasts with the blue grey leaves and attractive purplish trunks. Plant in full sun with good drainage with little or no water after it is established.

Hybrid, random; origin = seedd (1942) A. obispoensis x A. pajaroensis?, collected by L. Rowntree in L. Edmund's garden (1947), selected 1964; intro RSABG 1982 Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden. A hybrid of A. pajaroensis grown at Rancho santa Ana Botanic Garden from seed collected by Lester Rowntree.