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Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Common bearberry, Kinnikinnick)

Photo/Illustration: Chris Curless

(Based on 1 user review)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ark-toe-STAF-il-ohs oo-vah-ER-see

Common Name: Common bearberry, Kinnikinnick Genus: Arctostaphylos

This is a fine plant for cascading over the edge of a wall. It's a hardy, prostrate shrub with intricate branching that often forms mats up to 3 feet wide, by runners. Fragrant, white bell-shaped flowers tinged with pink are borne in May and followed later in the season by red berries. The common bearberry's stunning red stems are studded with small, glossy, evergreen leaves.
Noteworthy characteristics: Found throughout North America from Labrador to Alaska, south to Virginia and California, it is called kinnikinnick by Native Americans.
Care: Plants should be sheltered from wind and prefer soil that is poor and acidic, never wet.
Propagation: Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Remove and pot up rooted runners.
Problems: Common: Exobasidium bud and leaf galls. Susceptible to various fungal diseases on leaves, stems, and fruit.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	Less than 6 in.
Spread	1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit	Runs
Light	Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture	Dry to Medium
Characteristics	Fragrant Flowers; Native; Showy Foliage; Showy Fruit
Bloom Time	Spring; Summer
Foliage Color	Evergreen
Flower Color	Pink Flower; White Flower
Uses	Beds and Borders, Ground Covers
Style	Rock Garden
Seasonal Interest	Winter Interest, Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type	Shrubs

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posted by jooje
6/27/2008
Region: Midwest
Zone: 4

My garden is in the Mississippi River valley and is bordering zones 4 and 5. I planted Bearberry years ago to provide textural variety next to my "Montgomery" Spruce and Miscanthus grass as a ground cover. It is planted on a small hill in sandy soil and receives sun most of the day. This plant has it all: Dainty whitish pink flowers in May, beautiful small lustrous leaves, red berries late summer and evergreen foliage in winter. Best of all....it is tough as nails. It has thrived in droughts, cold winters, hot summers and I have long wondered why more nurseries don't promote this well-behaved plant.

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