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Shrubs

Arctostaphylos viscida

An erect branching shrub with peeling red-brown bark and evergreen green-grey oval shaped leaves. In late winter and spring, pink-white bell-shaped flowers are produced, followed by green to red-brown fruit in summer.

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Ericaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Arctostaphylos are mainly evergreen, prostrate or upright shrubs or small trees. They have small, simple leaves and sprays of tiny, urn-shaped flowers, followed by spherical berries
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Western N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, moderately fertile, lime-free soil in full-sun or partial shade. Keep sheltered from cold drying winds.

Propagation

Propagate from seed soaked in boilding water for 20 seconds. Sow seed in autumn in containers and keep in a cold frame. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer or by layering shoots in autumn.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Maybe susceptible to leaf spot

Get involved

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