Description

Hooker’s manzanita is one of the many manzanita species that grow in the coastal mountains around Monterey Bay. The form is unusually variable, ranging from a low groundcover (reflected in the ‘Monterey Carpet’ selection), to an upright fairly open shrub. The ‘Wayside’ selection grows a fairly dense mounding shrub with oval, lance-shaped leaves and burnt red (mahogany) bark. The hills around Monterey Bay are quite affected by the cool moisture of the Pacific Ocean, but receive no summer rain to speak of. In this mild climate, Hooker’s manzanita grows in both full sun and shade. When grown away from the coast, it is best to provide some protection from the afternoon sun.