Description
Dr. Hurd Manzanita is an evergreen, multi-branched, treelike hybrid shrub with glossy, light green foliage and grows up to 15′. This manzanita can handle some summer water and a richer soil but will also grow well in clay soil, and tolerates sandy soil. Its brown-red bark and lovely multi-branched form makes this distinctive taller Arctostaphylos a prized specimen plant and focal point of the landscape in many gardens. Perfectly drought tolerant in most gardens, Dr. Hurd is one of the faster manzanitas and is a reliable shrub. This form was found by John Coulter of the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation in 1972. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden by Saratoga Horticultural Foundation.
We suggest you start with Howard McMinn. This is a medium sized shrub with fine textured bright green foliage and red bark. Pink flowers appear in late spring. It is one of the last manzanita’s to bloom so if you have other manzanitas, including a Howard McMinn will extend your manzanita bloom time. At maturity Howard McMinn can reach 8 feet and spread to 10 feet or more. However, you can keep it in check by pruning. As it matures it will open up and reveal more of its twisting, red colored branches. Howard McMinn is excellent when you are trying to transition from a watered flower bed to a drought tolerant area. Moths, hummingbirds, butterflies and all sorts of other native wildlife like the plant. Howard McMinn’ does fine in beach sand or adobe. An excellent hedge plant for that small hedge between you and the neighbors. Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites.
Landscaping Information:
Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Moisture: Low
Ease of Care: Moderately Easy
Cold Tolerance: 15° F
Soil Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Soil Description: Tolerates a wide variety of soils. Soil PH: 4.0 – 7.0
Common uses: Hedges, Deer Resistant, Bird Gardens, Hummingbird Gardens, Bee Gardens
Companion Plants: Works with a wide variety of plants including Ceanothus species, Scrub Oaks, Salvias, Penstemons, Silk Tassel Bush, Flannel Bush, and numerous subshrubs and annuals.
