Kinnikinnick: The Perfect Native Groundcover for Challenging Spots
Meet kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uvaursi), one of North America’s most versatile and resilient native groundcovers. This tough little evergreen shrub might just be the solution you’ve been looking for if you’re struggling with slopes, poor soils, or areas where grass simply won’t cooperate. Don’t let its delicate-looking flowers and berries fool you – this plant is as hardy as they come!
What Makes Kinnikinnick Special?
Kinnikinnick is a low-growing perennial shrub that rarely exceeds 1.5 feet in height, making it an ideal groundcover choice. This native beauty spreads slowly but surely, creating a dense mat of glossy dark green foliage that stays attractive year-round. In late spring, it produces clusters of small, urn-shaped purple flowers that give way to bright red berries by summer – a delightful progression that adds seasonal interest to your landscape.
Where Does Kinnikinnick Call Home?
This remarkable plant boasts one of the most impressive native ranges you’ll find. Kinnikinnick is native across Alaska, Canada (including Greenland), and much of the lower 48 states. You’ll find it growing naturally from the Atlantic to the Pacific, thriving in diverse climates from the harsh conditions of Alaska and northern Canada down through the western mountains and even into parts of the southeastern United States.
Why Your Garden Will Love Kinnikinnick
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance groundcover that actually gives back to the ecosystem, kinnikinnick checks all the boxes. Here’s why this native gem deserves a spot in your landscape:
- Wildlife magnet: The bright red berries provide 10-25% of the diet for many terrestrial birds, while small mammals also rely on it for 5-10% of their food needs
- Pollinator friendly: Those charming purple flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects during the blooming season
- Erosion control champion: Its spreading habit and extensive root system make it excellent for stabilizing slopes and preventing soil erosion
- Four-season interest: Evergreen foliage, spring flowers, summer berries, and attractive winter color
- Drought tolerant: Once established, it requires minimal water – perfect for xeriscaping
Perfect Spots for Planting
Kinnikinnick shines in situations where other plants struggle. Consider it for:
- Rock gardens and naturalized areas
- Slopes that need erosion control
- Areas with poor, sandy, or gravelly soils
- Understory plantings in woodland gardens
- Low-maintenance landscape borders
- Xeriscaping and drought-tolerant gardens
Growing Conditions That Make Kinnikinnick Thrive
One of kinnikinnick’s best qualities is its adaptability, but like all plants, it has its preferences:
- Soil: Thrives in coarse, well-draining soils but adapts to medium textures. Avoid heavy clay or fine-textured soils
- pH: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions (pH 5.5-8.0)
- Sunlight: Tolerates partial shade but performs best with some direct sun
- Water: Low water needs once established – actually prefers dry conditions
- Climate: Extremely cold hardy (down to -33°F) and heat tolerant
- Wetland status: Prefers upland sites and doesn’t tolerate wet conditions well
Planting and Care Tips for Success
Getting kinnikinnick established is straightforward if you follow these guidelines:
- When to plant: Spring or early fall for best establishment
- Spacing: Plant 1,750-10,900 plants per acre depending on desired coverage speed
- Propagation: Readily available from nurseries as container plants; can also be grown from cuttings or bare root stock
- Initial care: Water regularly the first year to establish roots, then reduce watering significantly
- Fertilizer: Low fertility requirements – too much fertilizer can actually harm this plant
- Pruning: Minimal pruning needed; simply remove any dead branches
- Patience: Growth rate is moderate, and it spreads slowly, so don’t expect instant coverage
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
While kinnikinnick is generally trouble-free, there are a few considerations:
- It has low fire tolerance, so avoid planting in high-fire-risk areas
- Seeds require cold stratification, making propagation from seed challenging for home gardeners
- It’s known to have allelopathic properties, meaning it can inhibit the growth of some other plants nearby
- Establishment can be slow, so patience is key
The Bottom Line
Kinnikinnick is a winner for gardeners who want a beautiful, low-maintenance native groundcover that supports local wildlife. Its combination of attractive year-round foliage, seasonal flowers and berries, drought tolerance, and ecological benefits make it an excellent choice for challenging sites where other plants might struggle. While it may take some time to establish and spread, the wait is worth it for this reliable, long-lived native beauty.
Whether you’re tackling a difficult slope, creating a rock garden, or simply want to add more native plants to your landscape, kinnikinnick deserves serious consideration. Your local wildlife will thank you, and you’ll enjoy years of low-maintenance beauty from this remarkable North American native.
