Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
bearberry, kinnikinnick

Notes:

Reputedly difficult to transplant and establish. Fertilizer not needed. Allelopathic, which might be useful for a groundcover. pH requirement is debated: USDA, Stoecklein, and JerseyYards.org indicate tolerance of (slightly) alkaline soils, while everyone else (even the AHS) says neutral or acidic is a must.

I do not understand how USDA can call this one coarse-textured, unless maybe it's in relation to other groundcovers.

'Massachusetts' is disease-resistant and smaller-leaved than the species. 'Point Reyes' is said to be more tolerant of heat and drought. 'Vancouver Jade' is larger-leaved and more vigorous than the species, with notable fall color as well.

Sources: White Oak, Sunset, NCSU, Rutgers, JerseyYards.org, UConn, Stoecklein, USDA.

Tags:

acidic soil preferred
attracts:bees
attracts:birds (ex-humming)
attracts:butterflies
attracts:hummingbirds
attracts:larval host
compacted soil intolerant
deer resistant
dense canopy
drought tolerant
easy to grow
exposure:full sun
exposure:part shade
fall color notable
fine texture
form:shrub
full sun preferred
habit:prostrate/trailing
habit:spreading/wide
habit:upright
infertile soil tolerant
long-lived
native:eastern North America
persistence:evergreen
pest/disease free
pruning not required
salt tolerant
sandy soil tolerant
showy flowers
slow-growing
stoloniferous/suckering
type:broadleaf
use:groundcover
use:rock garden
water:moderate to little
well-drained soil required
wind tolerant
WON high-value plant


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