How much sun does Mission manzanita need?

Mission manzanita grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Mission manzanita bloom?

Mission manzanita blooms in February, March, and April.

Where is Mission manzanita native?

Mission manzanita (Xylococcus bicolor) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Mission manzanita attract?

Mission manzanita draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Mission manzanita

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Xylococcus bicolor

Last reviewed: October 2026

Mission manzanita (Xylococcus bicolor) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in February, March, and April. The flowers draw bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown

Mission manzanita (Xylococcus bicolor) 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"–96" H × 60"–120" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar, Apr

Native to

Pollinators

bumble bees, hummingbirds

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southern California Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A dense, mounding evergreen shrub closely related to manzanita, with leathery leaves that are white-woolly underneath and pink-white, urn-shaped flowers in late winter. Holds a tidy, rounded chaparral form.

Growing Mission manzanita

Grow Mission manzanita in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 96 inches tall and spread 60 to 120 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Its winter bloom provides early-season nectar for hummingbirds and bumble bees before most other chaparral shrubs flower.

Common questions

How much sun does Mission manzanita need?: Mission manzanita grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Mission manzanita bloom?: Mission manzanita blooms in February, March, and April.
Where is Mission manzanita native?: Mission manzanita (Xylococcus bicolor) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Mission manzanita attract?: Mission manzanita draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.

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.

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