Bearberry
Evergreen groundcover growing 15-30 cm tall and spreading up to 1.8 m wide. Features small, leathery leaves and clusters of small, pink to white urn-shaped flowers in spring, followed by red berries. Prefers well-drained, acidic soils and full sun to partial shade. Extremely cold-hardy and drought-tolerant once established. Provides year-round interest and food for wildlife. Useful for erosion control on slopes and as a native alternative to non-native groundcovers.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: Pink to White
Bloom Time: Spring
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist-Drained
Phenology: Evergreen foliage maintains color through winter. New growth begins mid-May. Blooms late May-early June. Berries develop green, ripening to red by August, persisting through winter. Winter foliage often takes on bronze tints.
Wildlife Value: Berries eaten by songbirds, gamebirds, and bears; provides excellent cover for small mammals and ground-nesting birds; flowers attract native bees
Habit Over Time: Creates a dense, evergreen groundcover that gradually creeps outward, forming a tight carpet that typically excludes other plants beneath it. The woody stems root as they spread across the ground, creating a robust mat that's excellent for suppressing weeds. While it doesn't allow much intermingling with other plants directly in its mat, it works well with taller plants that can push through it, or as a distinct carpeting layer with clear boundaries. In sandy or rocky soils, it may spread more quickly but remains a predictable, controlled spreader.
Height: Short (6-12 inches)