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Shatterberry

Arctostaphylos nummularia

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade, full sun

Water

moderate

Soil

Medium; Deep, high organic content, acidic woodland soil.

Size

5–16ft tall , 5–15ft wide

Bloom

Jan-Dec

Foliage

Evergreen

Deer

Resistant

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 the Diablo Range of Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, 1000-2500 ft elevation

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Shatterberry in full sun to part shade in well-draining, acidic woodland soil with deep organic content - think the kind of soil you'd find under native Bay Area oaks and redwoods. Space it where it has room to reach 5 to 16 feet tall and wide depending on the subspecies. The best planting window is fall through early spring, which gives the plant time to establish before summer heat. Make sure drainage is excellent; poor drainage is often where these plants struggle in gardens.

After Planting

Water moderately during the first growing season and into the following summer, then transition to once a month or less once established - these are drought-tolerant natives and actually prefer drier conditions after year one. Shatterberry tolerates cold down to 30°F, so it's well-suited to the Bay Area. The biggest mistake people make is overwatering once the plant is established; resist the urge to water frequently in summer, as that invites root problems. Pruning details aren't specified in the available data, so consult a local native plant nursery if you need guidance on shaping.

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