Canyon Sparkles Manzanita

An evergreen shrub which develops an arborescent form with age, 'Canyon Sparkles' is distinguished by its large, dense clusters of white flowers in winter. Its elliptic, medium green leaves are glossy when young. Its ghostly gray bark slowly exfoliates to reveal a dark brown undercoating. A handsome upright shrub for the mixed border, woodland, or as a focal point.

One of the few reliable, tall manzanitas for the garden, 'Canyon Sparkles' is easy to grow, tolerates a wide variety of conditions, and is a handsome shrub year-round. Looks good in containers. Susceptible to branch dieback disease caused by the fungus Botryosphaeria ribis. Use drip irrigation in place of overhead watering to reduce spread of this disease. Occasional leaf spot.

A Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Introduction. Selection made by SBBG horticulturist Dara Emery from seed of Arctostaphylos insularis collected on Santa Cruz Island by Jim Blakley.