How to Grow Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi (Bearberry/Kinnickkinnick)?

Maynard, MA

I've always been in love with Bearberry from seeing it all over Cape Cod as a child. Now I have the perfect spot for it. However, I've heard that it's very slow-growing and I've never planted a slow-growing ground cover. Because I'm disabled, I don't want to be weeding in between plants or plugs set too far apart while waiting for years for them to grow in. Does anyone have a planting method to recommend? Or suggestion about how far apart to put each plant or plug? My space is about 18 sq. ft.

Pueblo, CO(Zone 5b)

That is a tough question - it is native here, but one of the natives that is difficult to establish. I was told to plant it in the shade where it can grow out into the sun - so maybe a little something to shade it, at least when it is first transplanted. Yes, slow growing so slow to fill in. Perhaps between plants some landscape paper with chipped or shredded bark mulch over it? Our native one here needs good drainage, but I do not know if that is true of all the species across the U.S.

Maynard, MA

Yes, I think landscape paper might work for me.
I've got drainage. No shade. I hear they like sandy, non-nutritious soil.

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