Rainbow manzanita
Arctostaphylos rainbowensis
Last reviewed: October 2026
Rainbow manzanita (Arctostaphylos rainbowensis) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in January, February, and March. The flowers draw bumble bees and hummingbirds.
Toxicity unknown
Rainbow manzanita (Arctostaphylos rainbowensis) 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
24"–72" H × 48"–96" W
Bloom
Jan, Feb, Mar
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bumble bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A rounded, mounding evergreen shrub with smooth reddish bark and small, bright green leaves. Clusters of pale pink, urn-shaped flowers appear in winter and are followed by small brown berries.
Growing Rainbow manzanita
Grow Rainbow manzanita in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 72 inches tall and spread 48 to 96 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Winter flowers are an important early nectar source for hummingbirds and overwintering bumble bee queens.
Common questions
- How much sun does Rainbow manzanita need?
- Rainbow manzanita grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Rainbow manzanita bloom?
- Rainbow manzanita blooms in January, February, and March.
- Where is Rainbow manzanita native?
- Rainbow manzanita (Arctostaphylos rainbowensis) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Rainbow manzanita attract?
- Rainbow manzanita draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Rainbow manzanita? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.