Purple Waves Santa Lucia Manzanita
A compact selection with new growth that ages to a subtle purple color late in the season when conditions are dry. It contrasts beautifully with the blue older growth. Purple Waves forms a large mound that has great texture when the foliage turns purple late in the season.
Arctostaphylos luciana is a manzanita species native to the Santa Lucia Mountains just outside of San Luis Obispo at elevations up to around 2,000 feet. It is listed on the California Native Plant Society’s inventory of rare and endangered species and is threatened due to its small natural range, surrounding area and some of its habitat being mostly on private land and climate change. We find this species to be one of the most beautiful and adaptable of any manzanita and have enjoyed selecting some interesting new cultivars from a friend’s ranch where we’ve found many interesting forms.
Latin Name: Arctostaphylos luciana (cv. 9)
Site and Soil: Well draining unamended soils in full sun
Hardiness: Hardy to at least 10 F.
Size at Maturity: ~6′ x 6′
Bloom Time: Late winter into spring
Pests & Diseases: None that we have observed
USDA Zone: 8a