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Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)

Bearberry, Common Bearberry, Kinninnick, Kinnikinnick, Pinemat Manzanita, Creeping Manzanita

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Bearberry,  Creeping Manzanita, Common Bearberry, Kinninnick, Kinnikinnick, Pinemat Manzanita, Evergreen Shrub, Hardy Shrub, Shrub with berries

Extremely winter hardy, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry) is a slow-growing, creeping, evergreen shrub with trailing red stems studded with small, leathery, glossy, obovate, dark green leaves, up to 1 in. long (2.5 cm). The foliage turns red or purple in winter before becoming green again in spring. Pretty clusters of lantern-shaped, white-to-pink flowers hang gracefully from the short red stems in mid to late spring. They last several weeks and are followed by edible, smooth, and glossy berries which ripen to bright red in the fall. Slow to rot, the glistening fruits provide excellent emergency food for birds and mammals throughout winter.

Bearberry makes a very attractive ground cover where few other plants would be happy. Equally lovely when draped over the edge of walls or large rocks.

  • Grows up in a bushy, densely-branched shrub up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 3-6 ft. wide or more (90-180 cm). The plant spreads gradually by surface rhizomes to form a mat.
  • Full sun to partial shade lover, this plant is easily grown in acidic, moderately fertile, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Grows well in poor, infertile soils. Do not use fertilizers. Perfect for dry, sandy, and rocky soils. Drought tolerant once established. Salt and wind tolerant.
  • Excellent ground cover with year-round interest. Perfect for banks and slopes (erosion control), shrub borders, prairies and meadows, rock gardens, or cascading over walls.
  • Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
  • Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layering in fall
  • No pruning needed
  • Choose your site well because it does not like to be transplanted.
  • Native to North America, Europe, and Asia.

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 6
Heat Zones 1 - 6
Climate Zones 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Ericaceae
Genus Arctostaphylos
Common names Kinnikinnick, Bearberry
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 3' - 6'
(90cm - 180cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, California, Northeast, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Salt, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Vancouver Jade’ (Bearberry)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Massachusetts’ (Bearberry)
Arctostaphylos manzanita (Common Manzanita)
Arctostaphylos glauca (Big Berry Manzanita)

Recommended Companion Plants

Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican Daisy)
Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ (Catmint)
Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Feather Reed Grass)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 6
Heat Zones 1 - 6
Climate Zones 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Ericaceae
Genus Arctostaphylos
Common names Kinnikinnick, Bearberry
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 3' - 6'
(90cm - 180cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, California, Northeast, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought, Salt, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Arctostaphylos to pick?
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