Arctostaphylos edmundsii Carmel Sur Manzanita

Identification

Description

Carmel Sur' manzanita is a flat evergreen shrub(arches to 3 inches high in middle), with light gray-green leaves. An Arctostaphylos species from the coast of Monterey Co.. Plant in part shade inland to full sun (with a little extra water) near coast. Carmel Sur' likes good drainage but tolerates adobe. Very garden and water tolerant. One yard in San Luis Obispo had this manzanita on a small slope of adobe soil and was watering daily, water oozing out of the sidewalk and the plants looked good. Fast growing for a manzanita. The cultivar 'Carmel Sur' is more cold tolerant and more drought resistant than 'Danville', but 'Danville' is a more attractive groundcover in a conventional garden.. Carmel Sur' will grow on the coastal bluffs, in full wind, as long as the salt spray is not too, too bad. Carmel Sur' has survived open ground and 8-9 F for 3-4 nights and ground frost to 3 inches(it got beat up but recovered quickly in the spring). It prefers some afternoon shade in our location (interior coast ranges). Use with Ceanothus species, Rhamnus species, Ribes species or other Arctostaphylos species to make a beautiful border.Carmel Sur' survived here for years with no water before the year we had only 4 inches of rainfall and 100 temperatures for 8 months finally killed it. So although Carmel Sur' manzanita is not a good candidate for drought resistant planting in Palm Springs, it is an excellent plant for most of the gardens in California. Wash the dust off of it occasionally while sipping your favorite beverage and it and you will be happy, if you get too happy the plant will survive.