A low-spreading manzanita native to California chaparral, McMinn produces clusters of pale pink to white bell-shaped flowers in winter followed by red berries that darken to black. Highly drought-tolerant once established, it is widely used as a California native groundcover and landscape specimen.
Overview
Form
Spreading, Mounding
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
2–5′ tall × 5–8′ wide
Dormancy
evergreen
Tolerances & Soil
high
Zone 9aZone 10b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 9a to Zone 10b
Seasonality
Bloom Season
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Season of Interest
WinterSpring
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
pioneerearly successional
Native to the United States
Native Range
California (Sonoma County)
Native to: California
Function & Care
erosion controlpollinator nectarywildlife benefit
Establishment & Care
Establishment
moderate
Maintenance
low
Propagation
seed, cutting
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Howard McMinn is the most common cultivar, selected for its vigorous spreading habit and suitability for erosion control and large-scale landscaping in Mediterranean climates.
