Arctostaphylos rudis

Identification

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Description

Evergreen shrub,3' X 6'. Likes sun. Native on old sand dunes, in the central coast, in the same area as Arctostaphylos purissima and has the same surprising hardiness. Does great in coastal gardens. Use as a low hedge or as a taller groundcover. I've seen it very formal looking in its element. It has thrived where other plants have failed. I would not have much problem planting in full sun along the coast from Baja to B.C.. Saintly nice in beach sand conditions. We are also playing with selections of this. This needs selections because it is so variable . In the southern part of its range, it grows from 12' tall to 3' tall, leaves are dark grey on some and approaching green on others. Fuzzy on some, smooth one others. We have a form coming that looks like an Arctostaphylos densiflora. I'd swear it was planted but it's too big! A rare plant. We also are trying one with linear leaves, another with round leaves. Both A. rudis and A. purissima occur with Quercus agrifolia, Adenostoma, Salvia mellifera and Ceanothus impressus. Rainfall is about 15"