Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)

A truly hardy groundcover with special growing requirements; acidic, light sandy soil; has interesting fall color, and is extremely low growing.

Bearberry is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Bearberry features dainty nodding shell pink bell-shaped flowers at the ends of the branches in mid spring. It has forest green evergreen  foliage. The tiny glossy round leaves turn burgundy in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. It produces red berries from late summer to late fall.

Bearberry will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.