Arctostaphylos manzanita 'St. Helena'

Also Known As

St. Helena Manzanita

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 8'-12'
W: 8'-12'

planting zones

7b-10b

More Options

Arctostaphylos manzanita 'St. Helena' plant details

Arctostaphylos manzanita 'St. Helena' is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with blue and green foliage. In spring pink and white flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Attracts bees, birds, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant and wind tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Arctostaphylos manzanita 'St. Helena'

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: ericaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 8 FT - 12 FT - wide, 8 FT - 12 FT - tall
Flowers: pink and white blooms in spring
Uses: distinctive bark, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Arctostaphylos manzanita 'St. Helena'

USDA Zones: 7b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt and wind
Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

From Napa Valley in California, a beautiful form of a very useful genus in the west -- plants to 6 ft or so in time, or to 10ft if helped along a bit. Deep green leaves of only about 1” and dark mahogany stems. The late winter flowers are white aging to shell pink. Very happy with summer drought, but also, unlike many manzanitas, willing to tolerate some summer garden water -- but only some so best not to overdue it. Mineral soil is best and full sun to dappled shade. Sadly, intolerant of conditions in the east coast states.like North Carolina and Idaho. Low USDA zone 8.

By: Cistus Nursery

St. Helena is one of the larger selections and fastest growing: 8 feet wide and tall in 6 years in our garden. It's a terrific screening plant in sun and drier soil. Light grey-green large rounded leaves are a beautiful foil for its clusters of white urn-shaped flowers. And of course there is the beautiful, smooth, red-brown bark, but you'll need to limb it up if you want to see it. 'St. Helena' is evergreen and dense — a voluptuous Manzanita.

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

A. manzanita is a vigorous, treelike species from California that is very easy to grow in the Pacific Northwest, yet remains undeservedly rare. This selection is slightly paler and bluer in color than the usual (for this species) green, and may be a hybrid with another species. Having the beautiful bark, flowers and fruit typical of many species, it is an excellent performer in the Northwest on a dry or moderately dry site in full sun, and usually doesn't get leaf spots at all for us as long as air circulation is good. Expect growth to 12' tall and wide - perhaps eventually to 20' after many years! Hardy to about 5 °F once established.

By: The Desert Northwest

Garden photo gallery of Arctostaphylos manzanita 'St. Helena'

Photo of Arctostaphylos manzanita 'St. Helena' bark by Cistus Nursery

View Full Size

By: Cistus Nursery

View Original Photo

Gardening facts about Arctostaphylos manzanita 'St. Helena' plant

How to Grow Arctostaphylos manzanita 'St. Helena'

Sun Exposure
- sun
Water Needs
- occasional - drought tolerant
Water Needs
- dry in summer
Soil Needs
- clay
- acidic
- adaptable
- average
- lean
- well-drained
- rocky
- gritty
Special Situation
- wind tolerant
- verticillium wilt resistant