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Products > Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn'
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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Ericaceae (Heaths, Heathers) |
| Origin: California (U.S.A.) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Light Pink |
| Bloomtime: Winter/Spring |
| Height: 6-10 feet |
| Width: 6-12 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn' (Manzanita) - A medium-sized, evergreen mounding shrub to 7 to 10 feet tall by as wide with a densely-branched structure - can be kept smaller by pruning. It has beautiful smooth dark red bark and narrow 3/4 to 1 1/2 inch long shiny green leaves and from late winter into spring appear intensely-showy clusters of many small white flowers, tinged with light pink. Plant in full sun to light shade. Though it requires little irrigation in coastal gardens, this plant can tolerate occasional watering, even overhead, which makes it both drought and garden tolerant. It is hardy to 0-10 degrees F. This selection of the Vine Hill Manzanita, Arctostaphylos densiflora, a species (some consider it a possible hybrid between A. manzanita and A. stanfordiana) with a very restricted natural range near Sebastopol in Sonoma County, is considered to be one of the most dependable and adaptable manzanitas and it can be grown in sandy or heavy soils on the coast in full sun and in inland gardens with some shade. This plant was a selection introduced by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation in 1955 from plants given to them by Howard McMinn, the native plant author and Mills College Botany Professor. McMinn cultivated Arctostaphylos densiflora seedlings on the Mills College in Oakland from seed he had collected in habitat and it is fitting that this outstanding selection was named for him and then received the Award of Merit from the California Horticultural Society in 1956. It was originally described by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation as a low shrub, growing to 5 feet tall, but in the half century since its introduction, it has become apparent that this plant can reach nearly twice this height. The name Arctostaphylos was given to the genus by the French (of Scottish descent) naturalist Michel Adanson (1707-1778), who first named the circumboreal Arctostaphylos uva-ursi for plants found in Europe. The name comes from the Greek words 'arktos' meaning "bear" and 'staphyle' meaning "grapes" in reference to bears eating the fruit and the common name Bearberry also references this fact.
The information on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources as well as from observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery's garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We have also incorporated comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information, particularly if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn'.
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