An extremely hardy native plant, Bearberry “Arctostaphylos uva-ursi” forms an attractive dense groundcover garden areas where few other plants can survive. Bearberry spreads in a natural way via surface rhizomes to form a groudcover mat, It grows naturally within sandy beach settings, on dry rocky slopes, and within open woodlands in sandy or rocky soils. A single plant can form a bushy dense mat, 6 to 12 inches high and spreading 3 to 6 feet.

The glossy dark green foliage of Bearberry is somewhat evergreen and turns a purplish bronze color in the winter and then greening-up once again in the spring. Dainty lantern-shaped white-to-pink fowers appear in mid spring, and last for several weeks. Perfect for rock gardens, it looks great trailing over a garden wall. The bright red berries that follow are eaten by birds and small mammals, while the plant itself is deer resistant. Bearberry is a host plant for several butterfly species including Hoary Elfin, Brown Elfin and Freija Fritillary. Once established Bearberry is a highly drought tolerant plant.