Description

One of the reasons we have such a wide variety of manzanitas in California is their propensity to vary in size and form. Rapid diversification allows manzanita to adapt to changes in climate or terrain. One might compare the diversity of forms within a given manzanita species with that seen among - say - toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia, and see the manzanita’s unique ability clearly; toyon are rather consistent while manzanita will vary, often even within a given location. The Little Sur manzanita, Arctostaphylos edmundsii is a perfect case study. Although a narrow endemic of northern Monterey County, this little manzanita naturally grows with innumerable variations in height, form, leaf size, etc. No wonder so many selections have been introduced over the years. ‘Weber Garden’ has the largest leaves of the selections I am familiar with, and grows as an open mounding shrub to about two feet. The care is as for the species: some shade in well-draining soil.