1. * La Purisima Manzanita – Arctostaphylos purissima (ark-toh-STAF-ih-los
poor-ISS-ih-muh)
Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Endemic to western Santa Barbara Co., including near Lompoc, site of Mission La
Purísima Concepción; maritime chaparral on deep, sandy soils.
Native to:
medium woody shrub mature height: 3-5+ ft. mature width: 4-6+ ft.
Woody evergreen shrub that varies in shape from low and spreading to tall and erect. Shiny bright
green leaves are oval and strongly overlapping, giving a dense appearance to foliage. Attractive.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms winter/early spring. Small, white urn-shaped flowers in dense clusters are
very showy. Shiny fruits (the ‘little apples’) ripen to red in summer. Fruits are edible and make
delicious jelly, syrup and ‘Manzanita cider’.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a large woody groundcover. Does well under native oaks
and other drought-tolerant trees. Good smaller choice for Chaparral theme in coastal gardens and
for habitat gardens. ‘Burton Mesa Groundcover’ grows 1-2 ft tall and makes a good drought-tolerant
groundcover in sand or clay. ‘Petit Margarita’ grows 2-3 ft tall & wide – good under trees.
‘Vandenberg’ grows 2-3' H x 6-8' W and does well along coast or with morning sun inland.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native evergreen shrubs and groundcovers.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: provides nectar, cover and fruits for food.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun (coastal); morning sun or dappled shade inland.
Well-drained soils, including very sandy.
Looks best with occasional summer water (Zone 1-2)
None.
Likes an organic mulch; pine needles are ideal.
Prune out old branches during dry weather. Sterilize pruners between cuts. Other
than that, a very low maintenance plant.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: difficult
by cuttings: semi-soft wood in fall
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 6, 8, 11, 13, 16
11/30/11
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