Bright evergreen leaves, against maroon, twisted trunks, alongside heather-like flowers of the genus Arctostaphylos are in part what gives wild Western North America its character and appeal. Over 60 or so species of manzanitas can be found here with sizes and form as varied as the environments from which they come. Manzanita groundcovers hug the cold sandy shores along the wind-whipped, Pacific coast, grow into sizeable gray-green shrubs with massive trunks in the shadows of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and grow into picturesque 25' trees in Shasta Mountain country.
The character, ease of culture and versatility of manzanitas have made them popular additions to gardens. Horticultural hybrids and selections of Arctostaphylos abound.
Please see our Guide to Arctostaphylos (Manzanita) for descriptive and cultural details.