Description

The common manzanita is the prevalent large manzanita in the mountains of the northern half of the state. It also grows in a rather narrow band in the lower foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada. It naturally grows as a large shrub with burnt orange bark and olive green, oval leaves. Over time, they may take on a tree form. The ‘Hood Mountain’ selection was introduced by Nevin Smith. Hood Mountain is located in Sonoma County in the Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve (if you would like to visit). There it grows with the hoary manzanita, Arctostaphylos canescens. The ‘Hood Mountainj’ selection is thought by some to be a hybrid between this silvery species and the common manzanita, Arctostaphylos manzanita. That would explain the gray tone of the leaves. Whatever the parentage, this selection grows well in full sun and well-draining soil. It will naturally grow into a large rounded shrub but may be grown as a small tree with judicious summer pruning.