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Paradise Manzanita

Arctostaphylos pajaroensis 'Paradise'

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

very low

Soil

Fast; Tolerates clay soil but performs best and lives longest in well drained soil.

Size

3–15ft tall , 10–10ft 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 Pajaro Range and surrounding areas of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, 1000-2500 ft elevation

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Paradise Manzanita in full sun to part shade in a location with fast-draining soil - this is non-negotiable for long-term survival, even though it tolerates clay. If your soil is heavy or tends to stay wet, amend it heavily or plant on a slope. The best time to plant is fall or early winter when the plant is dormant. Space it according to your goal: closer together if you want a hedge, or 3–5 feet apart if you're letting it mound naturally to its full 3–15 foot height.

After Planting

Water weekly through the first summer to establish a deep root system, then taper to once or twice a month during summer once established. After the first year, this is an extremely low-water plant that needs almost no supplemental irrigation in the Bay Area. You can prune Paradise Manzanita to ground cover height or let it grow as a shrub; prune after flowering (late winter/spring). The #1 mistake is overwatering - manzanitas are drought-adapted and will rot in consistently moist soil, so err on the dry side once established.

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