Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Bearberry is a shrub for edging, groundcover, suited to full sun to partial shade and loam, sandy soil or acid soil, flowering Apr, May.

Where to use it in a border

At around 20 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 120 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 2a to 7a, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of full sun, sandy soil, acid soil, evergreen plants, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses Bearberry's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Evergreen, so it keeps the border furnished through winter.
• It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Golden Columbineto edge in front
• Anise/Blue Sagefor height behind it
• Aromatic Asterto edge in front
• Atamasco Rain Lilyto edge in front
• Autumn Sagefor height behind it
• Bear Grassfor height behind it

Garden styles

Native Wildlife garden Woodland Xeriscape (low-water)