Where in the OLL?

• This plant is found in the Botanical Garden.
• Hardy shrub that does well as ground cover.
• Helps stabilize sandy soil, erosion resistant.

Plant growth form

• Shrub
• Perennial above-ground woody.
• Height of 5-12 inches, spread of 3-6 feet.
• Plant is a woody evergreen.

Flowers, fruits & pollinators

• Small, single flowers.
• Light pink or white.
• The plant flowers in May, and flowers persist until June.
• Perfect floral arrangement, in terminal clusters.

Ideal location, conditions & cultural needs

• Tolerates some shade, but prefers full sun.
• Requires well-draining, coarse, or sandy soil.
• Will not grow in wetlands or in clay.
• Prefers more acidic soil.
• Needs very little maintenance, basic weeding.
• Annual application of 10-10-10 fertilizer in spring increases growth.

Planning & maintenance

• Needs roughly 2-6 sq ft growing space.
• Very slow-growing, trimming usually not necessary.
• Will tolerate some clipping and trimming, and browsing from wildlife.

Cultivars & propagation

Pests & pathogens

• Bearberry has relatively few serious diseases.
• Susceptible to certain diseases and fungi if roots are too damp.
  • Root rot, black mildew, leaf gall, leaf spot and rust.
• Bearberry does not generally have disease problems if kept dry.
  • Wet bearberry may be moved, but roots do not tolerate disturbance well.

Landscape & ecosystem

• Adds ground cover, with flowers in the spring and bright red berries in late summer/fall.
• Pollinated by insects and some birds.
• Fruit are edible to many types of wildlife.
• Foliage may be browsed by deer.

Human uses

• In the past, plant may have been eaten or smoked by Blackfoot and Algonquin Indians.
• The berries may have been used for food, the dried leaves for pipe mixture.
• Fruit is said to be non-toxic but generally non-palatable.
• Due to a lack of current research, eating the berries is not advised.
• Large or moderate quantities of the leaf may contain toxins that can cause liver damage.