Bearberry Bushes

Identification

• Bearberry bushes are between 6 and 12 inches tall, with a 15-inch spread and a fine texture. Their simple, dark green leaves grow from reddish-brown branches. The leaves are oval shaped, leathery to the touch and roll slightly under around the edges. The foliage may change to a reddish-green or purplish color during the fall. In the spring, clusters of pink or white urn-shaped blossoms grow from the ends of the stems. Half-inch-round, smooth-skinned pink or red fruits called drupes replace the blossoms.

Cultivars

• Several cultivated forms, or cultivars, are commercially available. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi "San Bruno Mountain" produces large fruits and thick, shiny foliage with a low spreading form. "Emerald Carpet" may be more shade tolerant than the species, according to Oregon State University. "Point Reyes" is more tolerant of drought and heat than other varieties but produces very little fruit, while "Woods Compact" produces pink blossoms that grow from reddish branches. Other varieties include "Massachusetts," which yields large quantities of fruit; and "Vancouver Jade," which turns to a coppery-red color in autumn and winter.

Care and Maintenance

• Bearberry bushes are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 2 through 6, depending on the cultivar. They prefer nutrient-poor, sandy acidic soil and full sunlight or partial light shade and have a high tolerance for soil and air salinity. They require little maintenance and do not need to be pruned or fertilized, although the U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that a springtime application of 10-10-10 will increase the plant's growth rate. These plants have few pest or disease problems.

Uses

• Although edible, bearberry fruit has little flavor. They provide a source of nutrition for birds and bears, and deer occasionally browse on the leaves. The foliage may have diuretic, astringent and antiseptic properties. Some Native American tribes applied powdered leaves to injuries, while others used it as a treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that the Arctostaphylos uva ursi herb is occasionally used to treat bladder inflammation and urinary tract infections, but as of 2011 more research is needed to determine the herb's safety and effectiveness.