Practical
Plants

Arctostaphylos stanfordiana

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Arctostaphylos genus in the family Ericaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ericaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.5 m
Spread
1.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked. The dried fruit is said to have a better flavour than most members of this genus[6]. The fruit is about 5 - 7mm in diameter[7].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A yellowish-brown dye is obtained from the leaves, it does not require a mordant[5].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California.
Habitat
Open ridges and slopes, 300 - 1200 metres[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, acid
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Pre-soak dried seed in boiling water for 10 - 20 seconds or burn some straw on top of them and then stratify at 2 - 5°c for 2 months[2][7]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 months at 15°c[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of side shoots of the current season's growth, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August to December in a frame. The cuttings are very slow and can take a year to root[1][10]. The cuttings of this species usually strike readily[2]. Division in early spring. Take care because the plant resents root disturbance. Pot the divisions up and keep them in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing away actively. Layering in spring[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a deep moist well-drained light or medium lime-free loam in sun or semi-shade[8][2][4][7], but plants produce less fruit when they are grown in the shade[7]. Best given a neutral or slightly acid soil[2]. A difficult plant to cultivate, even in its native California[2]. It is best given a sunny position against a wall[2]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their final positions as soon as possible[2][3]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

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  5. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

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  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  8. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩

  9. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

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