Arctostaphylos purissima Burton Mesa Groundcover

Identification

Description

Evergreen sub-shrub, 2 foot by four foot (the form we grow), on some sites and the one next to it may be 15 feet by 20 feet. Grows on sandstone and old beach sand in coastal chaparral on the central coast. This is one that surprised us. It seems to be hardy to about 0 and it's native to an area that rarely sees frost. I'm not certain how it will tolerate clay as it grows on 2-3 foot of sand on a clay hardpan, but other species that grow on this type soil are among the most garden and soil tolerant. It has been easy for us. It doesn't need extra water after the first year if your rainfall is above 15 inches/year. A rare plant that we are beginning to grow many types of to try and find a nice stable one that flowers well here and in its range. It is one of the prettiest plants there is. Heavy flowering and rich reds and greens in the foliage on deep red stems and trunk are stunning.

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