Arctostaphylos columbiana

Common Names

Hairy Manzanita, Columbia Manzanita, Redwood Manzanita, Bristly Manzanita

Summary

Arctostaphylos columbiana is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to western North America, ranging from southern British Columbia to northern California, and commonly growing on dry, rocky sites in chaparral and at margins of conifer forests. It typically reaches about 2–5 m in height with a broadly spreading crown, has gray-green, hairy leaves 2–6 cm long, and peels reddish-brown bark on older wood. In spring it bears white to pink urn-shaped flowers in panicles, followed by red to brownish-red drupes about 6–11 mm across; the combination of evergreen foliage, bark texture, and spring blossoms provides distinctive visual and wildlife-value characteristics in coastal landscapes.

Cultivation and uses: prefers deep, well-drained lime-free loam in sun to semi-shade, with a soil pH around 5–7.3; highly drought-tolerant once established; seed germination is stimulated by fire or passage through animals, often requiring scarification or stratification, while vegetative propagation by cuttings, layering, or division is also possible. Plantings benefit from plugs or container-grown stock and careful handling to avoid root disturbance; prune selectively to reveal form and reduce disease risk, and minimize overhead watering. The plant yields edible fruit raw or cooked, leaves can provide a yellowish-brown dye, and flowers attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds, making it valuable for drought-tolerant coastal landscapes and wildlife habitat.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3.5-16.5 feet

Spread

6-10 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zone 7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Deep, moist, well-drained lime-free loam, pH 5.0–7.0

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.0-7.0, ideal range (slightly acidic to neutral)

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Gray-green foliage

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color; evergreen.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, Attracts hummingbirds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts other pollinators, Attracts birds