As the warmer weather of spring arrives, the landscape comes alive with vibrant colors from trees, bushes, and flowers blooming. If you’re looking to add some color to your yard, consider planting bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), a popular ground cover that provides colorful displays throughout the seasons. This low-maintenance evergreen shrub produces white or light pink flowers in spring, red berries in late summer, and changes leaf colors in fall and winter. Bearberry is attractive to wildlife and can help prevent weeds and soil erosion, making it a great choice for various areas in your yard.
When growing bearberry, keep in mind that it thrives in U.S. hardiness zones 2 through 7, prefers dry or sandy soil, and is drought tolerant. It spreads slowly to cover the ground effectively, reaching up to 12 inches in height and 6 feet in width when fully established. Propagating bearberry can be done through cuttings or seeds, but it’s best to purchase seeds from a nursery due to dormancy issues.
Once your garden is adorned with colorful bearberry, consider adding more hues with other ground cover options like ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint or pollinator-friendly plants. No matter your yard’s conditions, there are plenty of ground cover choices to bring colors and beneficial wildlife to your outdoor space.
