Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)
Bearberry, Common Bearberry, Kinninnick, Kinnikinnick, Pinemat Manzanita, Creeping Manzanita
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.
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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 | Arctostaphylos - Manzanitas |
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) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Salt |
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 |
siur / 123RF Stock Photo</a>
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.
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 | Arctostaphylos - Manzanitas |
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) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Salt |
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 |