Description

Gabilan Mountains manzanita is found only in two places in the Gabilan Range. That’s the mountain range that forms the northeastern boundary of the Salinas Valley. Although this manzanita is one of the larger of California’s manzanitas, it was not recognized botanically until 2004 because of its very limited distribution on private land. Cuttings were (legally) taken and the plant was later offered for sale by California Flora Nursery in Fulton. My mother plant was the product of California Flora’s efforts.
Gabilan manzanita grows as a rounded shrub densely covered with overlapping white-green leaves. The new leaves have a rosy hue. The bark is a peeling mahogany. The white or light pink flowers appear in dense clusters in late winter. The fruit is large and smooth, maturing from green to orange to mahogany. Gabilan manzanita has thrived in full sun and well-draining soil in my West San Jose Garden. I have not watered it in years.