Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard Mcminn', Manzanita in Victoria Garden, Redding, CA

My personal notes: (be aware that this are my experiences in Victoria Garden. In other places in and around Redding, this plant can behave differently)

Arctostaphylos densiflora'Howard Mcminn' (Manzanita 'Howard Mcminn') is a very rare native species of manzanita known by the common name Vine Hill Manzanita. I first thought it was a cultivar, but it really grows in Sonoma County on a very small area near Sebastopol, which is now owned and protected by the Native Plant Society. Its natural habitat is chaparral, only 20 to 30 shrubs seem to have survived. Luckily enough this variety of manzanita is widely propagated and easily available in garden centers.
It is a though plant, can do without water and with water. It can handle heat and is cold hardy enough have survived the last winter at many places. So having lost quite a few natives I bought this plant this spring and gave it a prominent place in the front garden, between the first plants to see when you arrive at our house.
This plant is a evergreen and has shiny dark green oval leaves. It is not as big as most manzanitas and forms a nice rounded bush. With the for manzanita usual red twigs and stems it a real ornamental plant in the garden. While it also can take some summer water, it is, if sparely watered less a fire hazard as its cousin the white leaf manzanita.
The flowers are pink and blooming late winter, early spring. This variety flowers easily and is full with flower clusters for a long time. In fall it produces the little berries. Again a very useful bird, bees and wild life plant.

Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard Mcminn' , Manzanita 'Howard Mcminn'