Botanic name: Archtostaphyos uva-ursi

Common name: Bearberry

Size: 6 ­12 inches high, two to three feet (or more) wide

Favored growing conditions: Well drained soil in full sun will tolerate part shade if the plant gets at least 4 hours of sun including the noon hour when the sun is the strongest. This plant prefers acidic soil, 4.5 to 5.5 pH. Does best in sandy, infertile soils.

Flower color: Pale pink, not showy

Hardiness: Zones 3 - 8

Pros: Great evergreen ground-cover for full sun and dry locations. Berries for the birds, and good winter color. The variety 'Vancouver Jade' has a deep reddish-purple color in cold weather.

Cons: Prefers not to be fertilized, and will not respond well if accidentally hit with lawn or perennial garden fertilizers. This plant does not like having its foliage frequently hit with water, so automatic sprinklers are not good near a planting of bearberry. Can show some blackened foliage and die-back in the winter plants usually recover well when such damaged growth is removed in the spring.

Comments: My favorite evergreen groundcover for sunny slopes.

Suggested companion plants: Plant spring-blooming snow drops or autumn blooming crocus in, around and among your bearberry for early and late season contrast of foliage and flower.

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