Plant Highlights

Arroyo de la Cruz Manzanita is a rare low growing shrub that is endemic to the beaches and bluffs of Central California. It is rarely seen in nurseries. This manzanita makes an excellent ground cover, forming a loosely interwoven mat about 2 feet high and with a potential spread of about 9 feet. Leaves are a nice fresh, green. The pale-pink flowers appear in large clusters in January or February. This species grows in soil varying from sand thru red clay to near adobe and tolerates salt. Plant in full sun or filtered shade on the coast and give at least one mid-summer watering. In interior valleys, filtered shade and monthly water is recommended. Other ground covers such as Yerba buena, Hearst's ceanothus and Ceanothus grisues variations would grow well with this plant. Showy flowers such as Seaside daisies, Beach asters and Douglas irises would work well in coastal areas with with this rare specimen.