Arctostaphylos canescens
An evergreen shrub native to the coastal ranges of southwestern Oregon and northern California, with silvery-gray foliage, dense clusters of white urn-shaped flowers in winter to spring, and drought-tolerant, thriving in well-drained soils, typically 4–6 ft tall.
Common Names
Hoary Manzanita, Downy-leaf Manzanita
Summary
Hoary Manzanita is an evergreen shrub native to California and Oregon chaparral, growing as a dense, rounded to spreading shrub about 3–7 ft tall and wide. It features grey-silvery, pubescent leaves that are fuzzy when young and mature to silver, and white to pale pink urn-shaped flowers that bloom in winter to spring.
In cultivation it prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, dry soils; drought-tolerant once established and adaptable to a range of soils, including acidic, lean, rocky, and sandy conditions, provided drainage is excellent. Hardiness spans USDA zones 6–10, making it suitable for xeric landscapes and wildlife-friendly plantings, and it attracts bees and hummingbirds.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3-7 feet
Spread
5-7 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 6-10
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Acidic, well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil.
Soil pH
4.0-7.0, Acidic to neutral
Bloom Color
White to pale pink
Bloom Time
Winter to Spring
Foliage Color
Gray to nearly white foliage, with silver/hoary appearance and white powdery wax.
Fall Foliage Color
Green; no fall color change
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Moderately slow growing.
Seasons of Interest
Winter and Spring
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering
Attracts Wildlife
Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Other pollinators, Birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Eastw.
- Publication
- Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. , ser. 3, 1: 34 (1897)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Ericales
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Subfamily
- Arbutoideae
- Genus
- Arctostaphylos
Inferior Taxa
Arctostaphylos canescens subsp. canescens Arctostaphylos canescens subsp. sonomensis
Synonyms
Arctostaphylos candidissima Arctostaphylos canescens var. candidissima Arctostaphylos canescens f. candidissima Arctostaphylos cinerea Uva-ursi cinerea Uva-ursi canescens