Massachusetts Hybrid Kinnikinnick Bearberry

For a tough evergreen groundcover, you can’t go wrong with the Massachusetts Hybrid Kinnikinnick Bearberry. Botanically known as the Arctostaphylos Massachusetts Hybrid, this Bearberry received its nickname due to the fondness bears have for its fruits. With a low and spreading habit, its leaves take on a lovely autumnal hue as they change from deep green to red-purple. Loved by wildlife, both big and small, its pale pink blooms are a magnet for bees in late spring. 

Being evergreen, the Massachusetts Hybrid Kinnikinnick Bearberry is ideal for providing year-round groundcover. It has good disease resistance and cold hardiness, being suitable for zones 3 to 8 without too much ongoing care. With its almost prostrate form, this bearberry is ideal for growing on banks or slopes to limit soil erosion, and for trailing over low walls. Once established, it can cope with dry conditions. 

Massachusetts Hybrid Kinnikinnick Bearberry Care

The Massachusetts Hybrid Kinnikinnick Bearberry doesn’t like to be moved and needs to be planted in the right place the first time around. Even though this bearberry can eventually tolerate drought-like conditions, it does need regular watering for the first few growing seasons. As it prefers to be grown in poor soil that is free draining and dry, any fertilization is not necessary. 

Being low maintenance, this creeping shrub requires minimal pruning to keep it to size. To trim its growth, simply cut back the stems in early spring using sharp and sanitized tools. 

Massachusetts Hybrid Kinnikinnick Bearberry Spacing

When fully grown, the Massachusetts Hybrid Kinnikinnick Bearberry can reach a height of 6-12 inches tall and a spread of 4-6 feet. When growing this bearberry to cover a large area, it can be planted out with a distance of 4-6 feet between plants.