Common manzanita Arctostaphylos manzanita is an excellent representative of the many larger sized species of manzanita. Found in the wild along canyons and slopes in chaparral and oak woodlands of the Northern Coast Ranges, and in yellow pine forest communities of the Sierra Nevada foothills this multi-stemmed beauty is well worth the patience it takes to grow. A mature plant, given enough elbow room, can stand as tall as 15-20 feet high by 20 feet wide. Multiple stems form a dramatic open branch structure. Over time, the main stems become slightly twisted in their up and outward growth. Cinnamon red bark is smooth and cool to the touch. The deep red brown outer bark peels off every year around the summer solstice, revealing a new lighter bark layer which slowly …
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