1. *Baker’s Manzanita – Arctostaphylos bakeri (ark-toe-STAFF-ee-loss BAKE-er-eye )
Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Native to: Local endemic along N. CA coast (Sonoma County); open sites in chaparral and
woodlands, often in serpentine soils from 1500-2000 ft elevation.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub/tree mature height: 6-10 ft. mature width: 6-8+ ft.
Large evergreen shrub or small tree with rather open, upright habit. Peeling bark is dark purple-
brown. Leaves simple, oval, gray-green to darker green, often hairy. Plants have a nice,
architectural shape and are often grown for this feature alone. Slow growing like most manzanitas.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late winter/early spring – usually Feb-Mar but can be earlier. Dense
clusters of small, urn-like flowers typical of manzanita. Flowers often medium pink but may be
paler. Fruit is a drupe (single seed) and can be used to make manzanita ‘cider’, jelly, syrup.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a specimen plant, for its flowers, bark and interesting
natural shape. Sometimes used for hedgerows or natural hedges. Good small tree for habitat
garden or under oaks. Cultivar ‘Louis Edmunds’ is the only form available in most nurseries. A
natural variant, it has all the characteristics of the species and is well-adapted to a wide range of
garden conditions including clay soils, hot summer temperatures and occasional summer water.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: nectar attracts hummingbirds and large bees. Fruit-eating birds
like fruits. Hummingbirds will sometimes nest in mature plants.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Adaptable (particularly ‘Louis Edmunds’; will grow in clays; no pH > 8.0
Water Best treated as Water Zone 2 (occasional water) in S. CA. ‘Louis Edmunds’ is
among most tolerant of the manzanitas.
Fertilizer Not required.
Other Light organic mulch.
Management: Prune up into tree form starting the first few years (if desired). Other than that,
just prune out dead branches. The key is letting soils dry out before watering.
Propagation: from seed: likely needs cold/moist treatment by cuttings: likely, summer
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 11-14, 24, 28, 32 1/9/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND