Point Reyes Bearberry | Pink Flowering Evergreen Groundcover

Point Reyes Bearberry

1 Gallon

$18.90

1/2

Point Reyes Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 'Point Reyes'

A dense, evergreen ground cover with winter bronze foliage, spring pink flowers, and bright red berries.

$18.90

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Point Reyes Bearberry is a superb, low-growing evergreen shrub selected for its exceptional vigor and adaptability as a dense, woody ground cover. A cultivar of the widespread kinnikinnick, this Pacific Northwest native forms a lush, impenetrable mat of small, rounded, leathery dark green leaves that take on attractive reddish-bronze to purple hues in winter . In late winter to spring, it produces an abundance of small, bell-shaped, pale pink to white flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators . These are followed by bright red, berry-like drupes that provide food for birds and other wildlife . Exceptionally drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and adaptable to a range of well-drained, acidic soils (including sand), it is an outstanding, low-maintenance choice for erosion control on slopes, mass planting, and as a lawn alternative.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Small, oval to spatulate, leathery, deep green leaves (0.5-1.5 inches), turning reddish-bronze to purple in winter; clusters of small, urn-shaped, pale pink to white flowers in late winter to spring .
Fruit: Small, bright red, berry-like drupes (0.25-0.5 inches) in late summer to fall; edible but dry and mealy; valued by birds .
Mature Height: 6-12 inches (trailing, prostrate habit) .
Mature Spread: 6-10 ft (can spread wider over time) .
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate .
Hardiness Zones: USDA 5-10 ; Sunset A1-A3, 1-9, 14-24 .
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade .
Core Benefits: Dense, evergreen ground cover, winter foliage color, profuse spring flowers, bright red berries, exceptional drought and pest resistance, slope stabilization.
Best Uses: Erosion control on slopes and banks, mass planting, ground cover for poor soils, rock gardens, coastal gardens, wildlife gardens, lawn alternative .

Q: How large does Point Reyes Bearberry get?
A: It is a prostrate, trailing shrub that typically reaches 6-12 inches in height . It spreads vigorously, with a mature spread of 8-10 feet or more over time, forming a dense, weed-suppressing mat .

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: It performs best in full sun to partial shade. In hot inland climates, it benefits from some afternoon shade . Along the coast, full sun is ideal for the densest growth and most abundant flowers and berries.

Q: What are the ideal soil conditions?
A: It requires well-drained, acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.5) . It is adapted to poor, sandy, and even serpentine soils. It will struggle in heavy clay or alkaline conditions. Amending the soil with organic matter at planting is beneficial.

Q: How often should I water it?
A: Once established (after the first 1-2 years), it is highly drought tolerant and requires little to no supplemental summer water in most climates . During the establishment period, water regularly to encourage deep root growth. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Q: Are the berries edible?
A: Yes, the berries are edible, though they are not typically eaten fresh due to their dry, mealy texture . The name "kinnikinnick" refers to their traditional use in a smoking mixture. They can be cooked into sauces, jams, or syrups, and are an important food source for birds and wildlife .

Q: Is it a good choice for coastal gardens?
A: Yes, it is an excellent choice for coastal gardens. It is tolerant of salt spray and thrives in the sandy, acidic soils common to coastal environments . Its low, wind-sheared growth habit is well-suited to exposed, blustery conditions.