Refugio manzanita
Arctostaphylos refugioensis
Last reviewed: October 2026
Refugio manzanita (Arctostaphylos refugioensis) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in December, January, and February. The flowers draw bees and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown
Refugio manzanita (Arctostaphylos refugioensis) 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 × 48"–96" W
Bloom
Dec, Jan, Feb
Native to
CA
Pollinators
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.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Refugio manzanita.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
A rare, mounding evergreen manzanita with smooth mahogany-red bark, small leathery gray-green leaves, and clusters of small pink urn-shaped flowers in winter. Restricted to a narrow range on rocky sandstone ridges but forms a naturally clean, sculptural shrub.
Growing Refugio manzanita
Grow Refugio manzanita in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 96 inches tall and spread 48 to 96 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Winter flowers provide a rare cold-season nectar source for bees and Anna's hummingbird, and the berries feed birds and small mammals.
Common questions
- How much sun does Refugio manzanita need?
- Refugio manzanita grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Refugio manzanita bloom?
- Refugio manzanita blooms in December, January, and February.
- Where is Refugio manzanita native?
- Refugio manzanita (Arctostaphylos refugioensis) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Refugio manzanita attract?
- Refugio manzanita draws 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 Refugio manzanita? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
