Overview of Bearberry:
Bearberry is a small evergreen shrub often used as a groundcover. It is an excellent choice to provide winter interest with the tiny leaves that turn bronze in the fall, and the small red berries that last until spring. Bearberry is also useful for drought and salt-tolerant landscapes.
Latin name:
Common Names:
USDA Hardiness Zones:
Size & Shape of Bearberry:
Exposure:
Foliage/ Flowers/Fruit of Bearberry:
Leaves are .5-1" long and .25-.5" wide, turning bronze in the fall.
Flowers are small, bell-shaped in white or pink, appearing in April or May.
Fruit is .25" red berries that last from fall until the next spring.
Additional Bearberry Facts:
Bearberry has peeling, red bark, another point in its favor as a winter interest shrub.
Bearberry is used in alternative medicine to treat bladder problems.
Design Tips For Bearberry:
Good choice for a ground cover.
Evergreen leaves and red berries add winter interest and attract wildlife.
Salt-tolerant, so good for use in gardens near the coast.
Can be used to attract hummingbirds.
Good for use in drought-tolerant landscapes.
Growing Tips For Bearberry:
Bearberry is sometimes difficult to transplant and become established, and is a slow grower.
Prefers well-drained acidic sandy soils. It can live in poor soils.
Does not grow well in high heat
Propagation is through stem cuttings or seeds that have been scarified and stratified.
Maintenance/Pruning:
No pruning is necessary.
Pests & Diseases of Bearberry:
May develop winter burn. Leaf spots may develop if the plant is stressed.
