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Family: Ericaceae
Native to: Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Dimensions: 2' tall x 8' wide
Cold resistance: hardy to about 5°F
Drought resistance: good
Key Features: evergreen, white flowers late winter, red berries late summer/fall
Uses: groundcover, bank cover, rockeries, urban exposure, coastal plantings.
Description:
No, contrary to popular belief, Pacific Mist is not what falls out of the Seattle sky eleven months out of the year. It is the name for this wonderful manzanita hybrid, the silvery-grey leaves of which, when you desperately desire relief from the heat and drought as you long for those rainy winter days to hydrate your garden, will recall those nice drizzly winter afternoons. This cultivar has less conspicuous flowers than some, but the leaves, red stems and pink new growth are very attractive, and of course, the smooth red bark is too. This plant might be classed as a tall groundcover, forming a broad, low mound to about 2' high and 10' wide, and growing much more quickly than most manzanitas. One of the easiest Arctostaphylos to grow, it will readily adapt to most soils and tolerate a little summer water, but not too much. It will even handle a little bit of shade, especially in hot climates. It can also be used for spilling over rock walls, in hell strips, or pretty much anywhere sunny!
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