About
This upright shrub features peeling red-brown bark and evergreen, oval leaves that exhibit a grey-green hue. During late winter and spring, it produces bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white, which are succeeded by fruit that transitions from green to red-brown in the summer months.
About the genus
Arctostaphylos consists primarily of evergreen shrubs or small trees that can grow either prostrate or upright. The plants feature small, uncomplicated leaves and produce clusters of small, urn-like flowers, which are succeeded by round berries.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants
- Native to
- Western N America
- Toxicity
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained, moderately fertile, lime-free soil in full-sun or partial shade. Keep sheltered from cold drying winds.
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate from seed soaked in boilding water for 20 seconds. Sow seed in autumn in containers and keep in a cold frame. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer or by layering shoots in autumn.
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Maybe susceptible to leaf spot