Kinnikinnick / bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Kinnikinnick / bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a Colorado-native groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4–8 in tall and 24–48 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Our alkaline soils cause chlorosis, plant only in amended acidic beds or under conifers where needle drop acidifies the soil naturally.
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Massachusetts', 'Vancouver Jade'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 4–8 in tall and 24–48 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~34–48 in apart
- Growth habit
- Mat-forming
- Foot traffic
- Light foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Strong winter cover
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–7
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun. Flowers best with more sun.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, loam
- Soil pH
- 4.5–7.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- low
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- pink, white
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Site uses
- Dry shade under conifers, Slopes & erosion control
Things to know before you plant
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- montane, foothills
Using Kinnikinnick / bearberry as a groundcover
Kinnikinnick / bearberry forms a low mat. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It takes light foot traffic, fine to step across occasionally, but not a play-lawn. It holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground doesn't go bare. It tolerates the dry shade and root competition under established trees, where many groundcovers struggle. On a slope it helps knit the soil together and control erosion.
Planting & establishment
Acidic soil required, amend our alkaline clay heavily, or plant under pines where needle drop acidifies soil. Water weekly first 2 summers.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Kinnikinnick / bearberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Kinnikinnick / bearberry is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Kinnikinnick / bearberry?
- The main things to know: It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Kinnikinnick / bearberry get?
- It matures to about 4–8 in tall and 24–48 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Kinnikinnick / bearberry?
- Space Kinnikinnick / bearberry about 34 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 48 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Kinnikinnick / bearberry hardy on the Front Range?
- Kinnikinnick / bearberry is hardy in USDA 2–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Kinnikinnick / bearberry need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Kinnikinnick / bearberry native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Kinnikinnick / bearberry deer-resistant?
- Kinnikinnick / bearberry is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Kinnikinnick / bearberry a good firewise plant near the house?
- Kinnikinnick / bearberry is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Kinnikinnick / bearberry?
- Kinnikinnick / bearberry takes light foot traffic. You can step across it occasionally, but it won't hold up as a play-lawn.
- Can Kinnikinnick / bearberry replace a lawn?
- Yes, Kinnikinnick / bearberry works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Kinnikinnick / bearberry spread or stay put?
- Kinnikinnick / bearberry is mat-forming. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Can you plant Kinnikinnick / bearberry under trees?
- Yes. Kinnikinnick / bearberry tolerates the dry shade and root competition under established trees, where many groundcovers struggle. Water it well through its first year while it establishes among the roots.
- Does Kinnikinnick / bearberry stay green in winter?
- Kinnikinnick / bearberry holds strong cover through Front Range winters, so the ground stays protected rather than going bare.
- Is Kinnikinnick / bearberry good for a slope?
- Yes. Kinnikinnick / bearberry helps hold soil on Front Range slopes and control erosion once its roots knit in.
