We are very interested in UBC's arctostaphylos cultivar Vancouver Jade, which appears to grow faster than "Emerald Carpet" and have an interesting autumn leaf. We have recently seen it in a local nursery with a hardiness to -40 degrees (?!). We are concerned as to whether this plant could thrive in Walnut Creek CA, one of the hotter parts of the San Francisco Bay area. We may not have rain again until Oct. Our average July high is 89F (with nights in the 50s) and the av Jan low is 36F. Record high and low are 115F and 20F. Can VJ thrive in such a climate? Does VJ grow faster that other uvi-ursa varieties or other ground cover manzanita subspecies?
There was a form of manzanita growing in the hills between S. Lake Tahoe and Carson City to Reno. I have no idea which one though it appeared to be natrive or possibly naturalized. Check out the link below for more info: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/pisbg/arctostaphylos-vancouver-jade.php
Look at zoning for Arctostaphylos uva-ursi in Sunset Western Garden Book. The other might have been A. nevadensis, if it was a similar low, carpeting species with small leaves.
I'm not sure whether 'Vancouver Jade' is particularly heat tolerant. Its greatest value in the landscape industry is probably in its rapid growth, ease of propagation (from stem cuttings) and tolerance of high humidity and moist soil. Despite reports to the contrary, it is one of the more susceptible cultivars to manzanita pod gall aphid (Tamalia coweni), especially when planted in a monoculture.
Thanks. For an A. u-u cultivar to grow quickly; do so well in cold, moist, northern climates; have such an interesting leaf variation and be heat/dry tolerant seemed to be too much to ask. I guess we should stick to Emerald carpet, Monterrey carpet, and native uva-ursi's.
