Arctostaphylos — Manzanita Groundcovers

Among the many Arctostaphylos species, many are groundcovers as low as a few inches to as much as 1-2 ft. or more in height and spreading out in clumps up to 10 ft. wide. Most have glossy leaves and stems with a lush, dense growth habit when established, and have the same cinnamon bark as on larger manzanita shrubs.   

Groundcover Habits

While manzanita groundcovers mature a bit more slowly than a lawn, the color, richness and carpet-like look can serve as a satisfying lawn substitute, one however, that lacks a walk-on or play surface. Mowing and frequent irrigation are not needed with this low, shrubby cover.

• As with most other home-garden groundcover installations, low manzanitas are usually confined to smaller areas—to fill in along walkways, under shrubs and trees, cascade over walls, tumble around rocks, even drape out of large pots.
• They are also often used as an effective cover for slopes.
• Manzanitas generally require fast-draining soil and full sun. The species is not prone to insect or disease problems and rarely needs to be fertilized.
• Considered low-water plants, manzanitas require moist—not wet—soil at planting time and until they become established, then infrequent irrigation in well-draining soil.
• Small white or pink, urn-shaped flowers appear in late winter to early spring followed by red or darker small fruits. 
• Spanish settlers in the early West named these plants for their berries. Manzanita translates to “little apple.”

Garden Favorites

Nearly all manzanita groundcovers are named cultivars—plants selected from species for their easy care and good looks.

• Arctostaphylos‘Emerald Carpet’ is probably the favorite of most landscapers, due to its exceptionally dense, rich, green glossy foliage, attractive stems and white flowers in early spring. It needs fertile conditions to retain a deep green color. Planting in warm autumn soil as rains begin helps develop a strong root system. Once established, ‘Emerald Carpet’ does best with irrigation twice monthly during the dry season. In semi-shade, less water is needed. After several years, plants tend to develop a mounding habit.
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi has slightly larger leaves and pink flowers followed by red berries. This California native species is a bit tougher than ‘Emerald Carpet’, but is not quite as rich and lush looking with slightly more leathery leaves. It, too, benefits from some irrigation in summer. Named cultivars such as ‘Massachusetts’ and ‘Green Supreme’ have the best-looking foliage without center die-back.
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Point Reyes’ has perhaps the most drought tolerance of any of the manzanita groundcovers. It has pale pink flowers that appear only in a sunny situation. Leaves are less shiny than ‘Emerald Carpet;’ however, in a shaded site—its preferred habitat—foliage is paler green and somewhat glossy. ‘Point Reyes’ will grow in a variety of soil types, but prefers good drainage.
• Arctostaphylos edmundsii  ‘Carmel Sur’ is more tolerant of heavy soils than some of the other manzanitas and needs shade in all parts of Sonoma County, at least for part of the day, preferably afternoons. It has a much lighter green leaf than most others, rarely blooms, and is mat-forming, though mature plants may reach 1 ft. tall. It is also quite tolerant of regular garden irrigation.
• Arctostaphylos ‘Pacific Mist’ is well suited to sloping sites despite a somewhat slow 2-3 yrs. before branchlets intertwine enough to smother out weedy competition. Mature growth may reach 2-3 ft. tall.

July 2023