Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi · Ericaceae
📷 Walter Siegmund · CC BY 2.5
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around bearberry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Bearberry
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Form
- Ground cover shrub
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to June, pink or white flowers
- Adult height
- 30 cm
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -30°C
- Origin
- Mountainous regions of the northern hemisphere
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Bearberry loves acidic, well-draining soil, even if poor. Avoid chalky soils.
The common mistake
Planting it in neutral or chalky soil: foliage yellows (chlorosis), flowers don't develop, it slowly declines.
The pro's trick
Let it form a carpet: avoid cutting with a mower.
Care
Exposure
Plant bearberry in full sun for optimal flowering and dense growth. It tolerates slightly shaded situations, but maximum light promotes compactness and fruiting. Avoid overly hot locations in Mediterranean climates without regular watering.
Watering
This plant is very water-efficient: water moderately at planting, then let nature take its course. In dry climates, occasional watering in summer helps establishment. Once well-rooted (after 1-2 years), bearberry requires only occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.
Soil
Favor acidic soil (pH 4.5-6), well-draining and light, rich in organic matter. This shrub enjoys gravelly or sandy soils. Improve poor soil with a mixture of peat or acidic potting soil at planting. Absolutely avoid compacted or chalky soils.
Pruning and maintenance
Bearberry requires no formal pruning: its growth is naturally compact and spreading. Light cleanup after winter (removal of dead branches) is sufficient. You can prune it lightly after flowering to maintain a dense shape if needed.
Fertilizing
Apply little to no fertilizer: this shrub prefers poor soils and excess nutrients can reduce its hardiness. A light annual application of organic acidic fertilizer in spring is suitable if the soil is very depleted.
Diseases and pests
Bearberry is very hardy and rarely susceptible to diseases. In poorly drained or overly moist soil, root rot may occur: ensure excellent drainage. Occasionally watch for spider mites in dry climates, but problems remain rare with proper establishment.
Did you know?
Bearberry owes its scientific name to its red berries greatly appreciated by bears: *uva-ursi* literally means 'grape of the bear' in Latin. Traditionally used by Native American peoples of North America, its leaves have had recognized medicinal properties in herbal medicine for centuries.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.