November Plant of the Month: Manzanita Howard McMinn
Written by Lisa Endicott, Horticulture Manager
The Plant of the Month for November is chosen by Wayne Campbell, Gardener for Turtle Bay’s Botanical Gardens. It is the California native shrub Arctostaphylos‘ Howard McMinn,’ common name Manzanita Howard McMinn. Wayne loves their dark green, evergreen foliage, beautiful red bark, pest resistance, and drought tolerance. We have several of these large, beautiful shrubs throughout the Gardens, as well the rest of the Turtle Bay Campus and Sheraton Hotel.
Manzanita Howard McMinn (or Howard McMinn Manzanita) has been repeatedly noted by experts and gardeners as easy to grow in sandy to clay soils and in drought-tolerant to moderately irrigated landscapes. We have noticed that the only things these shrubs won't put up with are hard pruning cutbacks or overly wet soil in the summer for an extended period. Other than that, it is an ideal plant to grow!
Manzanita plants bloom in late winter/early spring, and Howard McMinn is no exception. Arctostaphylos are in the Ericaceae, or heath, family and have the same clusters of little, bell-shaped flowers (white, in this case) shared by many plants in this family. The fruit that follows the flowers is the manzanita, “little apple(s),” a Spanish word that perfectly describes the appearance of the small fruit. This is a food source for many animals and birds throughout the late spring and summer. Native people throughout the Manzanita’s range, British Columbia in Canada, Western United States, and Central Mexico have also used the flowers and fruits in various ways as food (and drink sources).
Interesting fact: The sclerophyll (tough, waxy, drought-adapted) leaves of Manzanitas turn their leaves on edge during the hot days of summer to avoid the sun's full force on the flat leaf surfaces. This helps avoid severe water loss and scorching.
Available now at the Turtle Bay Nursery!
There are various types of Arctostaphylos that we propagate, but Howard McMinn Manzanita is easily the favorite.
Caring for Howard McMinn Manzanita:
Plant in any type of soil, as long as it can dry out between summer waterings.
Water 1-3 times per week in summer (depending on high temperatures and if the soil is drying out between waterings) until established. After 1-2 years, you can then water 1-2 times per week or occasionally. Tip: If you want faster growth, you can water more, but be sure to let the soil dry in between waterings.
Prune lightly (when young, preferably), if needed, to develop a dense branching structure. Also, prune lightly, if needed, to keep it smaller.
