1. * Kinnikinnick – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
(ark-toe-STAF-il-ohs oo-vah-ER-see)
Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Native to: Higher latitudes of Northern Hemisphere. In CA, central & northern coast, Sierras; dry
open slopes, dunes, forest openings, often on sandy/rocky soils; chaparral, coniferous forests.
Growth characteristics: spreading woody shrub
mature height: < 1 ft.
mature width: 3-15 ft.
Evergreen woody shrub, with low, spreading mat-like habit. Leaves are small (< 1 inch), rounded
dark green and leathery. Leaf color may become more red in winter. Attractive, formal-looking.
Blooms in spring, usually Mar-May. Fragrant flowers are small, pink-white and
urn-shaped – similar to manzanita flowers. Flower clusters are quite attractive. Bright red berries
ripen in summer, then persist through fall and winter. Showy berries are edible when cooked with
sweetners – make nice jam, jelly and sauces.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Usually used as a low groundcover.
Good for erosion control on sandy banks,
along roadways, growing over rock walls, in rock gardens and on parking strips. Fine under oaks
and tolerates seaside conditions. A hardy, tough plant. Dried leaves used world-wide as medicine
for bladder & kidney infections. Native Americans also smoked the leaves like tobacco. Leaves and
berries can be used for natural dyes. Cultivars: ‘Green Supreme’ – bright green, low; ‘Point Reyes’ –
low & dense foliage; ‘Radiant’ – dense foliage; ‘Woods Compact’ – more bush-like.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native evergreen groundcovers like Cotoneaster, English Ivy, Vinca.
Attracts: Songbirds eat the fruit all winter; hummingbirds & insects like the nectar. Deer browse.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun only on immediate coast; best in part-shade, but can take full shade.
Well-drained soils (sandy or rocky best); can take acidic soils (under pines).
Fairly drought-tolerant once established. Looks best in Zone 2-3; takes Zone 3.
Don’t over-water – can be susceptible to fungal diseases.
Fine in nutrient poor soils; an organ mulch would work well.
Not a good choice for very hot gardens.
Easy to grow in well-drained soils. Prune after flowering if needed. Mulch and
weed, particularly when establishing. Resents root disturbance. Slow-growth; long-lived.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: required treatment
by cuttings: easy from tip cuttings in fall
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8-11, 13, 14, 20, 24, 25, 27
2/7/10
* Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co.
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