Manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita)

Beautiful large shrub has light green leaves with pink flowers that bloom in early spring. Bark is purplish red and branches have a picturesque crooked pattern. Native Americans used the dark red berries to make a lemonade type drink. Astringent leaves can also be used to sooth outbreaks of poison oak. Extremely hard wood can burn as hot as coal and has been know to melt the bottoms out of woodstoves when left undampened. Once established, it is quite drought tolerant. Zones 7-9.