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Bert Johnson Manzanita

Arctostaphylos edmundsii 'Bert Johnson'

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade, full sun

Water

very low

Soil

Fast, Medium, Slow; Normally prefers sandy soil but tolerates clay.

Size

0–4ft tall , 3–12ft wide

Bloom

Jan-Dec

Foliage

Evergreen

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Edible

Berries eaten fresh or made into cider; traditional Indigenous use

Keystone Plant

Supports up to 68 butterfly and moth species in Mediterranean California

Native Range

Chaparral in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, particularly around the inner Coast Ranges, below 2000 ft elevation

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Bert Johnson Manzanita in full sun or part afternoon shade in a location with fast-draining soil - it thrives in sandy soil but will tolerate clay as long as water doesn't sit. Space plants to account for mature spread, which can reach 4 feet. The best planting season in the Bay Area is fall through early spring so roots can establish before summer heat. Avoid planting near direct salt spray if you're in a coastal location.

After Planting

Water weekly for the first summer, then taper to no more than twice monthly once established - this is a very low water plant and overwatering is the main killer. After the first year, you can rely almost entirely on rainfall except during extended dry spells. The plant is evergreen and blooms winter through spring with minimal pruning needed; light shaping after flowering will maintain its mounded form. Expect slow, steady growth in year one; this is normal and the plant will fill in over time.

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