Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) symbolize the chaparral of Southern California to me. I love their rich red bark, which peels off yearly to reveal sinuous fresh green bark underneath. The bright green leaves stay green year round, providing some sense of life when most of the chaparral has gone dormant. The clusters of pink-tinted white blooms are one of the first to appear in winter once the rains have come, a welcome sign of life after months of dry heat. Varieties range from low growing shrubs to mid sized trees, and they have been cultivated extensively, making them great plants for native habitat gardens.

Source: Cleveland National Forest, Alpine, CA

18”w x 26”h, oil on gallery wrapped canvas