Mock Bearberry Manzanita
This low growing, native shrub is grown for its beautiful evergreen leaves. It produces tiny pink urn-shaped flowers in early spring.
Mock bearberry manzanita is a natural hybrid of kinnikinnik and greenleaf manzanita. It can be grown as a groundcover, or can look great cascading over a wall or boulder. It is one of the few broadleaf evergreens that can tolerate Colorado Springs' dry winters and periodic droughts.
Moderate watering is needed until the plant is established (2 years). After establishment, mock bearberry manzanita requires little supplemental watering.
Mock bearberry is about the same height as Panchito manzanita, but is about twice as wide. Chieftan manzanita has larger leaves.
Mock Bearberry Manzanita
This low growing, native shrub is grown for its beautiful evergreen leaves. It produces tiny pink urn-shaped flowers in early spring.
Mock bearberry manzanita is a natural hybrid of kinnikinnik and greenleaf manzanita. It can be grown as a groundcover, or can look great cascading over a wall or boulder. It is one of the few broadleaf evergreens that can tolerate Colorado Springs' dry winters and periodic droughts.
Moderate watering is needed until the plant is established (2 years). After establishment, mock bearberry manzanita requires little supplemental watering.
Mock bearberry is about the same height as Panchito manzanita, but is about twice as wide. Chieftan manzanita has larger leaves.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Arctostaphylos x coloradoensis
Pronunciation
ark-toh-STAF-ih-los kol-oh-rad-oh-EN-sis
Mature Height
10 to 15 in.
Mature Spread
36 to 60 in.
Flower Color
pink
Bloom time
very early spring
Natural Habitat
Uncompaghre Plateau in western Colorado
Light Requirements
sun, part shade
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 4-8
Elevation Limit
hardy to 7,000 ft.
Performance
We do not have this shrub at the Water Wise Demonstration Garden. However, it has grown successfully in Colorado Springs in several locations.
Maintenance
No maintenance is needed. Grows slowly initially, so it will require a few years before it fills in.