Description

Hooker’s manzanita is one of many manzanita species that thrives along the coast under the moderating influence of the Pacific. Its historic range extended from the San Francisco Peninsula down to San Simeon in San Luis Obispo County. Development has restricted this somewhat. It is now most prevalent on the Monterey Peninsula and in surrounding communities. Hooker’s manzanita varies considerably in form and size. Some populations are open, upright shrubs while others are very low groundcover. Available selections cover the entire range. The ‘buxifolia’ selection grows as a dense low mounding shrub to about one foot in height. It will slowly spread along the ground, rooting where the branches touch the ground. The leaves are little dark green ovals with pointy tips. The bark is a dark mahogany red, though this is obscured by the dense leaf growth. White flowers appear in winter. Morning sun with afternoon sun seems about right in interior locations.