Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)
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.
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.
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)FallWinter |
| 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 |