Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Kinnikinnick Bearberry is a broadleaf evergreen that provides color throughout the year and easily lives in challenging conditions. This plant goes by the scientific name Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and features tiny white blooms in the spring. The thick, leathery foliage is a bold green and develops into a reddish-bronze hue during the fall. Red berries offset the colorful foliage during the winter.
This plant is an amazing groundcover that will spread out 4 to 6 feet wide. The Kinnikinnick Bearberry is a native plant that needs little attention once acclimated. The berries provide color and serve as a food source for birds and other animals during the winter. Grow the Kinnikinnick Bearberry as a perennial in zones 3 through 8.
Kinnikinnick Bearberry Care
Dry conditions are best for the Kinnikinnick Bearberry. Bearberry plants need one inch of water per week. The soil should be well-drained and acidic. Plant in full sun. This stunner can live in areas with some shade but expect the best results with lots of sunlight. Apply a balanced fertilizer once annually in the spring.
The Kinnikinnick Bearberry does not require much pruning, but you can shape it as needed during the early spring.
Kinnikinnick Bearberry Spacing
This evergreen shrub has a creeping growth habit, and while it grows up to 6 to 12 inches tall, it spreads 4 to 6 feet wide. Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart to create a dense, solid ground cover.
Kinnikinnick Bearberry Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-18 Inches
- Mature Spread
- 4-6 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Spreading
- Water Needs
- Dry
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink, White
- Flower Description
- Pink, White
- Bloom Time
- Mid to Late Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Dark Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Interest, Winter Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Kinnikinnick Bearberry
- Also Known As
- Bearberry And Kinninnick
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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