Guide to growing garden plants - Arctostaphylos (Bearberry)
The common names for members of the Hardy perennial Arctostaphylos family include Bearberry, Bear's grape, Manzanita, Sandberry, Mountain box, Mealberry, Kinnikkinick, Hog cranberry.
It typically flowers from late summer to early autumn.
Description of Bearberry, Sandberry
Arctostaphylos are prostrate shrubs that have a dark evergreen foilage, they typically have many flowers of pink or white and they bear red fruits. They are ideal for use as ground cover in small bare places.
How to grow Bearberry, Sandberry
It is best to sow Bearberry outdoors in the Autumn on the soil surface. They should then be thinned to a spacing of 30 to 60 cm. Arctostaphylos can grow in either partly shaded conditions or in full sunlight. The soil should be sandy and acidic with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. If starting of plants indoors Bearberry and Sandberry typically require between two and three months to germinate, and seeds should be imbided by soaking overnight, then being kept in a fridge, in the dark for two months in moist sand.
Caring for bearberry
Bearberry is quite a difficult plant to look after, they should only be watered at times of extreme drought and never fed. They should be regularly sheared in order to maintain a neat appearance, and mulched with pine needles. Once planted they should not be disturbed.
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