Arctostaphylos rainbowensis

Common Names

Rainbow Manzanita

Summary

Rainbow Manzanita is a rare evergreen burl-forming shrub endemic to California, growing as an upright to mounded plant 1–4 m tall with a burl at the base and reddish-brown smooth bark. Leaves are oval, up to 5 cm long and 3.5 cm wide, hairless and waxy; inflorescences are hanging clusters of white urn-shaped flowers (6–8 mm) and fruit about 1 cm wide that ripens dark purple-brown. It occurs in chaparral and granitic outcrops from 150–800 m elevation, in full sun on very well-drained soils with pH 6.0–7.5; drought-tolerant and tolerant of cold down to 5°F.

In cultivation, Rainbow Manzanita thrives in full sun with very well-drained soil, is drought-tolerant, and hardy to cold to 5°F, suitable for USDA zones 7–10. Propagation is by seeds, which germinate slowly (12–18 months) and benefit from heat or fire treatment; seed availability is limited. It can be used in dry landscapes and chaparral or coastal sage scrub plantings, and flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-13 ft

Spread

3-16 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil, including sandy or decomposed granite soils.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil, fast to medium drainage, sandy soils

Soil pH

6.0-7.5

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Winter/Spring

Foliage Color

Light green to gray-glaucous

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Winter and Spring

Propagation Methods

Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and birds