Arctostaphylos hookeri 'Ken Taylor' - Monterey Manzanita

Description

This groundcover Manzanita is a great little powerhouse! Bright, glossy green foliage forms a mound 2' tall and 6' wide with trailing maroon stems taking root where they contact the soil. Of all the A. hookeri selections, this one has the tightest, densest growth habit. The Hooker's Manzanita is a species native to (mainly) coastal Monterey County, but it doesn't require mild coastal conditions.  Conversely, this species seems to endure dry heat much better than many other low growing Manzanitas (A. uva-ursi, A. edmundsii, A. pumila, etc.)  Tolerates clay on sloping ground and the deer do not seem interested in it in my garden, though they may browse if desperate.