How to Grow Arctostaphylos in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Bearberry, Bear's Grape, Hog Cranberry, and Manzanita

The common names for members of the Hardy perennial Arctostaphylos family include Bearberry, Bear's grape, Manzanita, Sandberry, Mountain box, Mealberry, Kinnikkinick, Hog cranberry.

They typically flower from late summer to early autumn.

Bearberry

Description of Bearberry, Manzanita, Sandberry and other Arctostaphylos genera members

Arctostaphylos are prostrate shrubs that have a dark evergreen foliage, they typically have many flowers of pink or white and they bear red fruits.

Manzanita
Manzanita Photograph by Tom Hilton.

They are ideal for use as ground cover in small bare places.

Arctostaphylos
Arctostaphylos edmundsii by Brewbooks.

Arctostaphylos Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Manzanita, Bearberry, Sandberry, Hog cranberry, Mountain box, Kinnikinick, Bear’s grape.
Family: Ericaceae (heathers).
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: Prostate shrubs 2 to 12 inches (5 to 30 cm), through to small trees that may reach 20 feet (600 cm).
Native: North America, Europe, Asia.

Growing Region: Zones 3 to 7.
Flowers: Spring through to early summer.
Flower Details: Pink, white. Fragrant. Bell-shaped. Clusters of 2 to 20.
Fruit: Small red, sometimes purple or black berries. Summer through autumn.
Foliage: Mainly Evergreen, one species deciduous. Small oval. Spiral. Shiny. Green, underside often lighter than top.

Sow Outside: Surface. Autumn. Spacing 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm).
Sow Inside: Soak seeds overnight. Mix seeds with moist sand, place in a freezer bag, then stratify by refrigeration for eight weeks. Use peat pots. Germination time: two to three months. Temperature 60 to 65°F (15 to 18°C). Either late in the winter or in the middle of summer; dependent upon transplanting time: Spring or autumn.

Requirements: Full sunlight or partial shade. Soil pH 4.5 to 5.5. Most soils, best results in sandy and poor soil. Can survive in dry soils. Water only when extremely dry, and never overhead. Pine needle mulch. Prune/Shear to tidy plant. Propagate: cuttings in the autumn. Some species are very prone to fungal diseases. Do not disturb plant.

How to Grow Arctostaphylos

It is best to sow Arctostaphylos outdoors in the Autumn on the soil surface. They should then be thinned to a spacing of one to two feet (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 Arctostaphylos typically require between two and three months to germinate, and seeds should be imbibed by soaking overnight, then being kept in a fridge, in the dark for two months in moist sand.

Caring for Arctostaphylos

Arctostaphylos plants such as Bearberry and Manzanita are quite difficult plants to look after and care for, 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.

Common Questions

How many members does the Arctostaphylos genus have?

The Arctostaphylos genus, also known as manzanita, consists of about 60 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees.

Do members of Arctostaphylos make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, some Arctostaphylos species, particularly Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, also known as bearberry, are valued in gardens for their attractive bark, evergreen leaves, and tolerance of drought and poor soils.

Which Arctostaphylos species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry) and Arctostaphylos manzanita are commonly grown. These species are appreciated for their ornamental bark, flowers, and berries.

Are members of the Arctostaphylos plant genus fragrant?

Arctostaphylos plants are not typically known for their fragrance.

What is the perfect location to grow Arctostaphylos?

Arctostaphylos prefer sunny locations with well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established and can thrive in poor, rocky soils.

Is Arctostaphylos invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

Currently, Arctostaphylos is not thought to be invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Arctostaphylos plants from my garden?

If you need to remove Arctostaphylos plants, you can prune them back heavily or dig them up, ensuring to remove the entire root system.

Summary

The Arctostaphylos genus, part of the Ericaceae family, includes about 60 species of evergreen shrubs commonly known as Manzanita. Native to western North America, these plants are recognized for their beautiful, twisted branches, small bell-shaped flowers, and red or orange berries.

Arctostaphylos plants are extremely drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They are often used in native plant gardens, xeriscaping, and erosion control. Some species, such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry), can make an excellent ground cover, particularly on slopes.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on Arctostaphylos. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Pieris japonica, Arbutus unedo, and Gaultheria plants.