Local news- Press Release
Portola Valley California - What s Blooming Now February 21 February 2024 ( news )
Portola Valley , state California ( By Press Release office)
Feb 21,2024
| 6| 1
What’s Blooming Now? February
Manzanita
Arctostaphylos spp .
One of the first bloomers of the new year is Manzanita , a local native that thrives in the poor soil and low - water conditions of much of our area . Their native range is from southern British Columbia through the West and into much of Mexico , with approximately 100 species and subspecies , many of which have been cultivated . There are Manzanitas that are appropriate for sandy or clay soil , full sun to half shade , and range in size from very low groundcovers to full sized trees .
Manzanita are evergreen and the trunk and limbs have a beautiful reddish/orange bark that peels in an attractive manner and can lend a striking architectural look when pruned well . The bare branches are beautiful as part of arrangements . The wildlife value of this plant is high due to the profusion of flowers in the winter and summer berries which support a number of native birds and other animals .
Some manzanitas can be fire hazards , but with appropriate selection , placement and maintenance others can be fire safe . Homeowners should consider defensible space guidelines before planting them near their homes . The Conservation Committee has produced a separate resource describing understory habitat and defensible space , available through the town website .
Check with your local nursery for help finding the appropriate variety for your landscaping needs .
Did you know?
Manzanita means “little apple” in Spanish?
The berries are edible and can be eaten by themselves or ground into a meal .
Native Americans made an herbal tea from the leaves to treat poison oak rash .
The ‘Dr . Hurd’ manzanita variant was discovered here in Portola Valley and is a very popular tree - sized form that tolerates a wide variety of local conditions .
Most manzanita do not tolerate summer water once established .
There is a manzanita appropriate to replace almost all standard landscaping plants and they support a much wider array of insects , the basis of our local biome , which are rapidly becoming critically endangered .
Brought to you by the Conservation Committee
PLAY the NEWS
* May be useful for visually impaired persons .
Press release information :
Direct link to press release:
Click here .
