Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Bearberry
Please register or login to build your personal plant list.Bearberry is a ground-hugging, wildlife-friendly evergreen shrub. Its green, leathery leaves darken to a reddish-purple color in the fall....
Description:
Bearberry is a ground-hugging, wildlife-friendly evergreen shrub. Its green, leathery leaves darken to a reddish-purple color in the fall. Clusters of tiny, bell-shaped, pink to white flowers bloom on red stems, April-May. The nectar attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, and it has special value for native bees. The flowers are followed by berry-like fruits, which ripen to a bright red color in the fall. The berries persist into the winter and provide food for birds and other wildlife. Bearberry is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Rocky Mountain Clearwing (Hemaris senta), Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios), Freija Fritillary (Boloria freija), Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus), and Elf (Microtia elva). Bearberry grows well in sandy or rocky soils. Use it as an edging plant or evergreen groundcover, in rock gardens, along rock walls, or on slopes for erosion control.
Plant Details:
Other Common Names: Kinnikinnick
Plant Type: Groundcover
New Jersey Native: Yes
Bloom Times: Spring, Late Spring to Early Summer
Bloom Colors: Pink, White
Deer Resistance: High
Attracts Pollinators and Wildlife: Bees and Other Pollinators, Butterflies, Birds
Salt Tolerance: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 7a
Physiographic Region: Coastal Plain - CP
Grows in Special Ecoregions: Barrier Island/Coastal, Pinelands
Soil Characteristics
Soil Type: Loam, Sandy
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic, Slightly Acidic, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Light Needs of Plant
Optimal Light: Full Sun
Light Range: Full Sun, Partial Shade
Water Needs of Plant
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Size and Growth Rate
Height: 0.5 - 1 ft
Spread: 2 - 4 ft
Growth Rate: Slow