Chieftain Manzanita
A selection of a naturally occurring hybrid manzanita that is found in Western Colorado, Chieftain Manzanita greatly expands the area where this lovely genus can be grown and is one of the furthest eastern growing manzanita species we know of. While most gardeners in zone 6 or below typically can’t grow manzanitas, Chieftain is cold hardy all the way down to zone 4! Though it still prefers dry summers and very well drained soils, gardeners throughout the country now have a new manzanita selection they can experiment with besides Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Low growing to about 1-2 feet in height by 5-6 feet wide. Evergreen, drought tolerant and deer resistant.
Latin Name: Arctostaphylos x coloradoensis
Site and Soil: Well draining, unamended soils in full to part sun
Hardiness: Hardy to -25 F.
Size at Maturity: 1-2′ tall by 5-6′ wide
Bloom Time: Late winter into spring
Pests & Diseases: None that we have observed, occasional leaf spots if air flow is not adequate
USDA Zone: 4b