How much sun does Hoary Manzanita need?

Hoary Manzanita grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Hoary Manzanita bloom?

Hoary Manzanita blooms in February, March, and April.

Where is Hoary Manzanita native?

Hoary Manzanita (Arctostaphylos canescens) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Hoary Manzanita attract?

Hoary Manzanita draws bees and hummingbirds.

Is Hoary Manzanita HOA-friendly?

Hoary Manzanita takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Hoary Manzanita

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Arctostaphylos canescens

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Hoary Manzanita (Arctostaphylos canescens) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

36"–120" H × 36"–120" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar, Apr

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains

Hoary manzanita is a robust evergreen shrub that can grow quite large, reaching up to 10 feet tall and wide. It produces clusters of small white or pink bell-shaped flowers in late winter through spring, followed by small berries. The plant has attractive gray-green foliage and distinctive reddish bark that adds year-round interest.

In an HOA neighborhood

Hoary Manzanita takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Can become very large and sprawling
Informal growth habit may appear unkempt
Slow establishment period can look sparse

Wildlife value

This native shrub is excellent for pollinators, attracting bees with its abundant spring blooms and providing nectar for hummingbirds. The berries feed birds and other wildlife throughout the year.

Common questions

How much sun does Hoary Manzanita need?: Hoary Manzanita grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Hoary Manzanita bloom?: Hoary Manzanita blooms in February, March, and April.
Where is Hoary Manzanita native?: Hoary Manzanita (Arctostaphylos canescens) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Hoary Manzanita attract?: Hoary Manzanita draws bees and hummingbirds.
Is Hoary Manzanita HOA-friendly?: Hoary Manzanita takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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