Manzanita| Manzanita |
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| Obviously, the manzanita is
one of our favorite California native plants. Anyone who's ever
lived in California has been charmed by it's graceful, twisted
limbs. Some people even refer to it as, "mountain driftwood,"
because it's branches and trunk have that same look as wood
long-sculpted by ocean waves. They make wonderful accent pieces in the
native garden and are beautiful in Oriental gardens, as well. An evergreen, it's trunks branch close to the ground, and it's covered in a deep red, smooth bark. It forms numerous clusters of white to pale pink flowers in late winter or early spring. One of it's most attractive features is it's fruit, which is a bright red berry. Manzanita is actually a Spanish word meaning, "little apple," and they very much resemble tiny apples. What's more, they're edible. They were a staple part of the diets of the early California natives who even made cider out of them. Birds also find the fruit very attractive, so if you enjoy having birds in your garden the manzanita is an excellent addition. Manzanitas prefer loose, rapidly draining soils. They need more water when they're first planted, so you should plan on watering once or twice a week. After they're established, they may need water only once or twice during the entire summer, making them a great choice where water supply is a concern. Beware, though, the manzanita can grow up to 20 feet tall! If space is a concern for you, apply frequent pinching during the growing season. |