WSU Clark County Extension
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Hairy Manzanita

Scientific name: Arctostaphylos columbiana
Taxonomy
Family:Ericaceae
Type:Evergreen shrubs
Native:YES
Plant Requirements
Zone:7 to 10
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Dry
Plant Characteristics
Height:10 ft
Width:10 ft
Bloom:Showy flowers
Bloom Time:June
Bloom Color:Pink
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Hairy Manzanita is an attractive Northwest native evergreen with its twisting branches and reddish smooth bark.

  Morphology:
This evergreen shrub grows to a mature height of 10’ and an equal or wider width. It grows as a single stem which quickly forms a multitude of upright branches. Leaves are arranged in a simple, alternate fashion. They are 1”-2” in length and oval in shape. They have a dull green or slightly blue color and are hairy on both sides.

In the Pacific Northwest flowers first appear in June as clusters of small pale pink to almost white, urn-shaped blossoms. Hummingbirds find the nectar of the flowers enticing.

As the flowers fade in late June red berries begin to form. They attain a size of ¼” to ½” in diameter and are smooth in texture. Birds feast on the berries during the winter.

Older shrubs exhibit a very pleasing smooth, reddish brown bark that peels off.

  Adaptation:
Hairy Manzanita grows from northern California into southern British Columbia. It prefers sunny sites on the edges of evergreen forests. It requires an acidic site with a soil pH of 3 to 7. Once established it is considered drought tolerant.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234