Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

3-8” x 2-4’ evergreen groundcover, capable of spreading slowly but indefinitely, via flexible branched runners. The expanding dense mats are fine textured, long-lived. Technically a shrub, because of woody growth. CT native, and of northern regions of Europe, Asia, and N. Am- erica. Found on dunes, exposed sand barrens, ridges, outcrops, rocky or gravelly sites, in open woods, at forest margins. Vast Cape Cod colonies seem to be derived from a single plant.

1/4”- 1 -1/4” short-stalked paddle-shaped glossy thick dark green evergreen leaves, lighter beneath. Bronze to reddish in fall/winter. Nodding clusters of 1/4”- 1/3” dainty and beautiful urn-shaped light white and pink flowers, April to May, on short branches. 3/8” lustrous rounded bright red fruits, July through August, and often persisting into the winter. Older stems covered with reddish-mahogany papery peeling bark.

Part sun to sun, tolerates light shade. Grow in dry to medium moisture, poor infertile very well- drained soils that are sandy to rocky to gritty. Prefers acidic soil of pH 4.5-5.5, but tolerates other levels. Good salt tolerance. Drought tolerant once established. Likes exposed open sites. Plant 1-2’ apart. Never fertilize. Avoid soil compaction. Do not move established plants. Be careful when raking. Can shear back vigorous trailing stems in early spring to en- courage denser carpet. Alternatively, pin long stem growth with galvanized wire staples, where branches will root. Well rooted seedlings can be lifted and transplanted. Outstanding evergreen ground cover with year-round interest. Use for massing, slope or dune stabilization, seaside plantings, xeriscaping, rock gardens. Grow around shrubs, along sunny border margins, naturalized areas. Excellent for cascading over walls. Sprigs with red berries useful as Christmas decorations.

Special value to native bees, especially long-tongued bees. Flowers are an important early nectar source. Larval host of Zigzag Fritallary, and Hoary and Brown Elfins. Fruit attracts songbirds and gamebirds, hummingbirds, bears, and small mammals.

Photos 1, 7: Przykuta; commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arctostaphylos_ uva-ursi_li%C5%9Bcie_04.07.10_p.jpg; commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Arctostaphylos_uva-ursi_łodyga_z_liśćmi_04.07.10_p.jpg Photo 2: Kirill Ignatyev flickr.com/photos/bushman_k/20852019912/sizes/l Photo 3: Pat Breen, Dept. of Horticulture, Oregon State University oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/1plants.htm#aruv Photo 4: Isidre blanc commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ARCTOSTAPHYLOS_UVA- URSI_-_B%C3%92FIA_-_IB-957_(Boixerola).JPG Photo 5: Eleanor Saulyn, CT Botanical Society ct-botanical-society.org/Plants/view/48 Photos 6, 14: Peter Dziuk, Katy Chayka; Minnesota Wildflowers minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/bearberry Photos 8, 10: VA Tech Dept. of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=421 Photo 9: Bryant Olsen; flickr.com/photos/bryanto/3469244684/sizes/l Photo 11: Sten Porse commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arctostaphylos-uva-ursi.JPG Photo 12: mwms1916; flickr.com/photos/mmwm/33748558911/sizes/l Photo 13: Tim Waters flickr.com/photos/tim-waters/3870475616/sizes/l Photo 15: Tigerenteaa commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arctostaphylos_uva-ursi03.jpg