Arctostaphylos rainbowensis

Identification

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Description

Rainbowensis is a lower moundy Big Berried Manzanita. We grew some for a remediation in South Riverside County, and are growing new plants off of the extra plants. We have not played with the plants enough to have a good feel on how much abuse they'll take, but the first plants are promising. A. rainbowensis seems to have good characteristics of both parents, a better growth form than either parent, the wonderful foliage of the S. Cal. Glauca, the mounding aspect of A. glandulosa, and the red trunks of both. The 4 foot mounds were surrounded by Rhus laurina, Arctostaphylos glandulosa, Arctostaphylos glauca, Artemisia calif., Quercus agrifolia, Platanus racemosa(slightly lower on slope), Salvia mellifera, Eriophyllum, Eriogonum fasciculatum, and Diplacus aurantiacus. (Syn. A. peninsularis, probably a natural hybrid between A. glauca and A. glandulosa.)