Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ark-toh-STAF-ih-lohs YOO-va UR-see
- Description
-
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi known as common bearberry, is a low perennial shrub that can be effectively used as a ground cover. It is low maintainence and prefers dry to moderate moisture and is drought tolerant. The plant forms a low, creeping, mat-like cover to the soil and grows slowly. This plant produces drupes, a small berry-like fruit which, though technically edible by humans, are not considered to have a desireable flavor and are rather mealy. These fruits do provide an interesting vidual and are produced in the summer with a green color which matures to red in the fall. The foliage is also green, however in the winter the leaves turn a bronze color but will regain their green foliage come spring.
Space: 12-24 inches apart
Issues: moist to wet soil can lead to root disease
Site: light-textured soil
Form: Prostrate low mat
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Alaska
Compact flat growing form with small, round, dark green leaves. - Anchor Bay
- Big bear
Large, shiny dark green leaves and large red fruits, reddish winter leaf color. - MIcrophylla
- Tom's Point
- Alaska
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Alaska
Compact flat growing form with small, round, dark green leaves. - Anchor Bay
- Big bear
Large, shiny dark green leaves and large red fruits, reddish winter leaf color. - MIcrophylla
- Tom's Point
- Alaska
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Arctostaphylos
- Species:
- uva-ursi
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- good drought tolerance; good salt spray tolerance
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is .2- to .5-in. and green, but it turns red in fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- This plant has small, urn-shaped, white to pinkish flowers in spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has 1-in., leathery, dark green leaves which are teardrop shape. They may turn bronze in winter.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Salt
