Description

Del Mar manzanita is a subspecies of the widespread Eastwood manzanita. The species thrives in our coastal mountains from Oregon to Baja, Mexico. The species is highly variable. Some subspecies have a basal burl, while others do not. Hairs of various descriptions may be present or absent on the leaves. The hairs may be glandular (“sticky”) or not. The Del Mar subspecies is endemic to San Diego County where it grows as a mounding shrub in coastal chaparral. The oval-lance shaped leaves may vary in color from dark green to silver-gray. This subspecies is said to be hardy and fast growing if given typical manzanita-friendly conditions: well-draining soil and sun, with perhaps some protection from the afternoon sun.