Manzanita, properly known as Arctostaphylos of the Ericaceae family will hopefully be happy enough to survive and prosper on my backyard slope. I have chosen the variety A. densiflora 'Howard McMinn' which should grow to 5 or 6 feet in height and may spread to 7 feet. It should have whitish-pink flowers but I choose it because of the beautiful reddish bark. As a child I would go on hikes in the Southern California San Gabriel Mountains where the manzanita flourished. I have my fingers crossed.
The steep slope in my backyard continues to bewilder me and so far is winning the battle against supporting plant life. It doesn't help that our last winter didn't give much in the way of replenishment to the water table. Usually I need to provide supplemental water during the summer to the plants on my slope. I have some pop up sprinklers on manual valves and even pulled a long hose up the hill to add more, but this year most of the plants just gave it up. Even the very established foundation bushes that can stand a lot of neglect turned crispy.
I put two 'Howard McMinn' manzanita in the ground last weekend just before the rains started this past Monday. So far they are still in the ground and the leaves are still on the branches.
Wish me luck.
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