Arctostaphylos rudis - Shaggy-barked Manzanita

Description

A rare manzanita endemic to the southern central coast of California in SLO and Santa Barbara Counties.  Size can be highly variable growing between 2’ and 7’ tall and up to 10’ wide, usually trending on the taller side.  No, we do not know how big our nursery stock will get.  It’s a surprise!  That’s the adventure of planting diverse genetic material instead of selections.  As the name suggests, the bark on this Arcto is particularly shaggy.  Shredded bark sloughs off to reveal an attractive red trunk underneath.  Burl forming.  Foliage is a bright green, with drupes of pretty pale pink/white flowers in winter.  Flowers are followed by shiny red and green berries.  A great manzanita for the coast.  Big attractor of hummingbirds and bees.  Not totally deer-resistant, but it probably won't be their first choice of snack.