common bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
USDA zones3 to 7
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size12 inches tall3 to 6 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- White , pink
- Foliage color
- Glossy dark green, reddish in the winter.
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Common bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a shrub for rock gardens, ground cover, containers, and borders. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to wet, sandy or loamy soil. The evergreen leaves turn reddish in winter, and bright-red berries last into winter. Birds favor the fruit. Give it loose soil and skip the fertilizer.
Pairs well with Blonde Ambition blue grama, Red twig dogwood, and Paprika yarrow.
Native range
AK, AZ, CA, CO, and 42 more places. See all 46
AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY; AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, and YT.