Manzanitas are the botanical gems of the western landscape: Rugged, radiant, and perfectly sculpted by Ma Nature herself!
From their cinnamon-red bark and twisting limbs to clusters of white to pink bell-shaped blossoms, these evergreens are a must-have in water-wise gardens, rock gardens, and pollinator plots. With countless cultivars to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the foliage, so we’ve gathered the most popular and garden-worthy selections into one clean list.
Whether you want a tough, low-maintenance shrub for erosion control or a graceful multi-trunked focal point that stands out in every season, this list highlights the best Manzanita varieties from the elegant, upright, to the lowest-growing!
What Makes The Manzanita Shrub So Great?
- Drought-tolerant and water-wise
- Broadleaf Evergreen year-round beauty
- Striking red bark and twisted limbs
- Early blooms feed bees and hummingbirds
- Low-maintenance and pest-resistant
- Berries and shelter for wildlife
- Helps control erosion on slopes
- Suitable for fire-wise landscaping
- Ideal for rock gardens and native plantings
- Long-lived with lasting landscape value and thrives off neglect
Top 5 Most Popular Manzanita Shrubs
1. Howard McMinn Manzanita (Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn')
Beloved for its garden adaptability and fine form, this is the reigning royalty of Manzanitas. It grows with a rounded shape and dense branching, holding glossy green leaves and showy pinkish-white flowers that bloom in late winter.
- Height: 5-6 feet tall
- Spread: 5-7 feet wide
- Zone: 7-9
- Benefits: Extremely garden tolerant, attracts pollinators and hummingbirds!
- Roots: Fibrous and shallow, perfect for slopes
- Growth Habit: Upright and densely branched with burgundy bark
- History: Selected by horticulturist Howard McMinn for its reliable landscape use
- Use: Specimen shrub, dry hedging, or in native woodland borders
2. Emerald Carpet Manzanita (Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet')
A dazzling ground-hugger, this variety is a go-to for covering large swaths of dry terrain. Its glossy green leaves and brick-red stems stay tidy year-round. Bonus: Soft pink flowers add seasonal charm!
- Height: 8-14 inches
- Spread: 4-6 feet wide!
- Zone: 6-9
- Benefits: Low-growing groundcover, erosion control, low fire risk
- Growth Habit: Spreading and mat-forming
- Wildlife: Bees adore the early blooms, and birds enjoy the berries
- Use: Perfect for banks, hard to mow slopes, and as a drought-tolerant lawn alternative. Try it in a Rock Garden design for a four-season style.
3. Dr. Hurd Manzanita (Arctostaphylos 'Dr Hurd')
This statuesque beauty brings architectural elegance to the landscape. With twisted mahogany limbs and large pale-green leaves, it resembles a small tree and blooms with clusters of white flowers in late winter.
- Height: 12-15 feet
- Spread: 10-12 feet
- Zone: 8-10
- Benefits: Fast-growing, evergreen structure, striking bark, and branching
- Use: Focal point, native habitat restoration, coastal and inland gardens
- History: Named for botanist Dr. Hurd, who admired its grandeur
- Soil: Thrives in rocky or sandy soils; good drainage is a must
4. Sentinel Manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita 'Sentinel')
A tall, upright grower with dark green leaves and reddish stems, this cultivar boasts a profusion of early blooms that light up pollinator gardens in winter. Its name is fitting! This shrub stands watch over the landscape like a noble guardian.
- Height: 5-8 feet
- Spread: 6-8 feet
- Zone: 7-10
- Bloom: Pale pink flowers from late winter to early spring
- Texture: Smooth bark and bold branching
- Use: Privacy screen, hedge, or background accent
- Symbolism: Strength and resilience, thriving in tough conditions
5. Louis Edmunds Manzanita (Arctostaphylos bakeri 'Louis Edmunds')
A refined yet rugged option with silvery-green foliage and profuse pink flowers that arrive just when the garden needs a lift. Its naturally rounded shape requires little to no pruning.
- Height: 6-8 feet
- Spread: 5-6 feet
- Zone: 8-10
- Flowers: Bell-shaped, vivid pink in winter to early spring
- Use: Mixed dry borders, under Oak trees, and drought-tolerant designs
- Wildlife: Supports native pollinators and offers berries for birds
- Origin: A Sonoma County native with outstanding garden manners!
Honorable Mentions
Whiteleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos viscida)
A striking Southwestern native with powdery-gray foliage and smooth pink bark, Whiteleaf Manzanita brings wild beauty to restoration and naturalistic gardens. Its white to pale pink flowers emerge in late winter, followed by berries for birds.
- Growth Habit: Upright and open, with a naturalistic form
- Wildlife Benefits: Early nectar for pollinators; berries for birds
- Best Uses: Wildscaping, habitat restoration, fire-adapted landscapes
- Size: 6-10 feet tall and wide
- Zones: 7-10
- Notes: Native to chaparral and dry forest edges; thrives in lean soil
Tips For Growing Manzanitas Successfully
Manzanitas thrive in lean, fast-draining soil with full sun exposure. Mimic their natural conditions as best you can.
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Soil: Sandy or rocky is ideal, but avoid clay. If necessary, amend or create berms for the best drainage.
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Watering: Once established, water deeply but rarely. Overwatering is the #1 killer!
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Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6 hours) for best form and flowering.
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Mulch: Use arborist mulch sparingly around the base, but not touching the trunk.
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Maintenance: Prune after flowering if needed, and never during the hottest part of summer. Avoid crowding their roots.
- Check Moisture: Use the Finger Test to ensure the soil is dry before watering young plants.
Branch Out Beautifully With These Native Evergreens
Manzanitas aren’t just shrubs … they’re garden sculptures, pollinator pit stops, and the heartbeat of Western native plant design! Whether you’re blanketing the ground or reaching for the sky, there's a Manzanita for your garden vision!
Hardy, handsome, and humming with life, these top varieties bring structure and serenity to any landscape!
Happy Planting!
