Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Howard McMinn,’ or Manzanita Howard McMinn is February’s plant of the moment.
The evergreen shrub was hybridized from a species native to Central California and has since found its way to Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach. This winter plant is located at the top of Arroyo on the site and along the fence line leading to the Rancho’s California Native Garden. It is striking in the winter months when the pale pink flowers emerge. The flowers will eventually bleach to white, but they are still lovely as they hang from the branches. The shrub can spread 6’x7′ and needs great drainage.
Other plants in bloom this month include:
Ribes speciosum, also referred to as the Fuchsia-Flowering Gooseberry.
Viburnum suspensum
Viola odorata, which goes by several names including wood violet, sweet violet and garden violet.
Chasmanthus aethiopica
Ceanothus ‘Concha,’ also known as the Concha California Lilac.
