PLANTS OF BEARBERRY - ARCTOSTAPHYLLOS UVA-URSI

Ornamental shrub with medicinal properties. To grow in rockery, to cover dry zones and against erosion. It is a honeybee plant.

The dried leaves have astringent, antiseptic and diuretic properties. They are used to flavor pipe tobacco. Grey or black dye can be made from the different components of the leaves. Marmelade is made with its fruit and tea or herbal tea are made from its leaves. 

Evergreen creeping shrub whose horizontal spreading branches can reach 2m. The leaves are egg-shaped and dark-green. The white or pinky flowers grow in clusters. The fruit is bright red plump and edible.

This shrub grows on siliceous, chalky and slightly cool soils.

Dig a hole at least two or three times as wide and deep as the root ball. Take out the plant from the container and loosen roots to allow them to spread out in all direction. Cut possible broken roots. Mix the soil extracted with a substrate and fill part of the hole with the mixture obtained. Place the plant in the hole and cover with the remaining mixture. Compact the soil around the plant and water thoroughly.