Bearberry vs Alpine Bluegrass - TreeTime.ca

Bearberry vs Alpine Bluegrass

Poa alpina

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Alpine Bluegrass
Bearberry

Alpine Bluegrass is a native perennial bunchgrass adapted to cold, high-altitude, and northern environments. It establishes well in harsh mountain and tundra conditions, thriving even in nutrient-poor soils. Its dense tufts provide reliable ground cover in alpine and subalpine habitats.

Hardy and low-maintenance, Alpine Bluegrass is valued in revegetation and erosion control projects due to its strong root system. It provides forage for wildlife and livestock, while its dense growth also offers cover for small animals. Well-suited for reclamation and soil stabilization in high-elevation and northern regions, Alpine Bluegrass is a key species for strengthening fragile landscapes, though it is also found in lower-elevation sites.

Bearberry is a dwarf shrub known for its creamy pink flowers and red edible fruits.

It is great as a filler in gardens and flowerbeds in place of invasive ground cover plants, like English Ivy.

Bearberry will attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees to your property. It is one of the top 12 plants recommended by the Alberta Native Bee Council to support pollinators.

Alpine Bluegrass Quick Facts

Bearberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1b
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Height: 0.1 m (0.3 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: clump-forming
Spreading: seeds - medium
Suckering: medium


Foliage: leathery, evergreen
Flowers: small, purple-white
Berries: small red berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NL, YT, NT, NU
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: alpine speargrass, mountain speargrass
Other Names: kinnikinnick, mealberry, sandberry