Arctostaphylos obispoensis San Luis Obispo Manzanita

Identification

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Description

San Luis Obispo Manzanita is an evergray shrub, bush or small tree to 8' tall, with gray fuzzy leaves, and deep red stems that used to grow on the hills North of San Luis Obispo. It will make a very dramatic form for the landscape with its gray leaves, red stems and white, sometimes pink flowers. For a rare plant it grows under a wide range of conditions. This manzanita bush will tolerate sun or part-shade, and it will grow on serpentine , adobe, sand on hardpan and even our decomposed granite. We've had one in part-shade and a wine barrel for several years. Associated plants range from Acer macrophyllum, Pinus radiata, Rhamnus californica, Quercus agrifolia, Ceanothus oliganthus, Arbutus menziesii, to Lupinus albifrons. The original selection for this variety came from where the wall is now on Cuesta Pass. All plants that were there are gone. But you can plant some of San Luis Obispo back in the form of a manzanita if you wish.