Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Common manzanita is a beautiful shrub: its red branching structure, delicate white lantern-shaped flowers, blush-colored berries, and bright foliage provide year-round interest. Use these gorgeous plants as specimen trees and to provide structure. Their graceful, twisting branches add an unbeatable sculptural effect. With their winter blooms and summer berries, they are a pollinator and wildlife all-star, supporting local birds and insects.

Common Manzanita is easy to grow in a variety of soils. It is low moisture but can tolerate some summer water. Outside of cultivation, it is commonly found in the northern part of the state.

There are many different species, hybrids, and varieties of Manzanitas native to California. They vary in size, flower color, and more, making them an excellent option for most gardens.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

6 - 20 ft Tall
10 ft Wide

Form

Upright, Rounded, Upright Columnar

Growth rate

Moderate, Slow

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

None

Calscape icon
Color

White, Green

Flowering season

Winter, Spring

Special uses

Hedge

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low, Very Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 10° F

Soil drainage

Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerant of clay or alluvial soil.
Soil PH: 4.0 - 7.0

Propagation

Seeds must be fire treated to germinate.

Site type

Slopes, rocky places below 4, 000 ft., primarily in the North Coast Range and Sierra. It occurs in chaparral as well as foothill woodlands with oaks, pines and other trees.

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Northern Oak Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest

Works with a wide variety of other plants including Ceanothus species, scrub oaks, Salvias, Penstemons, Silk Tassel Bush (Garrya spp.), Flannel Bush (Fremontodendrons), and numerous subshrubs and annuals.

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

2 confirmed and 54 likely

Confirmed Likely

Epinotia subplicana

Elegant Sphinx Moth

Sphinx perelegans

Acronicta perdita

Aethaloida packardaria