Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

General Fruit Growing
1

Currious if anyone is growing Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)?

I’m looking for Point Reyes cultivar specifically, but would also be interested in the Massachusetts cultivar also.

Thanks

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I’m growing it. I haven’t eaten the fruit yet, but am expecting a small harvest this year to try out. It shouldn’t be used like fruit though since it’s dry and mealy. Since it was traditionally eaten with animal fat, I was planning to try deep frying some in lard. haha…

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3

What’s my chances of talking you out of a few root cuttings during dormancy when the leafs turn bronze?

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Never heard of it growing from root cuttings. I thought it primarily propagated via layering.

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5

Just saying from my Labrador Inuit background. It’s 2 primary uses is A) a salt tolerant ground cover to protect from soil erosion. B} An additive/extender to tobacco with a small buzz effect.

As a food it is a last resort item.

They are much more folk medicine. Like make you pee like an Eastern European Race Equine for example. Every family has an ole Auntie who wants to give you Bearberry tea for any sign of sickness.

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6

Some of us older guys might not mind that …

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I’m growing a variety from seed. They tasted pretty good to me despite what I’ve heard online. Is point Reyes supposed to be particularly tasty?

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8

No just hardy for my zone.

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They are hardy to Zone 2B to 3B where my relatives harvest them.

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There are a few differnt (not many) varieties with varying hardiness zones.

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11

Crowberry and Ligonberry are the most Inuit utilized berries. Cloudberries are precious income and typically get sold off fast.

Big sis sent me Crow and Ligon berries along time ago. Definitely both cooking types. The sourness of Ligonberry can be used to strip paint. Dear goodness they are rough.

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I’m actually not currently interested in the berries from Bearberry.

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Unsure of the answer here. Are you growing common bearberry? You are in the same zone as I am (7a).

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Just the leaves for the tea right?

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Tea or Smoking

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Same zone, I haven’t had any fruit yet. Got the seeds this season. They’re from a 2a/3a mountain region in Canada though so if anything it’s too hot here

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Could I talk you out of some seeds then?

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I don’t have the cultivars you referenced. They are almost certainly readily available at a nursery local to you though. I’ll bet you’ll be able to find them. The species is considered native to your state and most larger nurseries have a native plant section (plus many nurseries carry this species anyways because it makes an attractive groundcover).

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No worries… i’ll look and see what I can find.

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