The Bearberry or Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a short evergreen ground cover shrub. The height is from six to twelve inches tall and the width from three to six feet. This native shrub can be found in the mountains. The USDA hardiness zone of 2 makes it a real tough shrub for Wyoming.
The main characteristics of this trailing evergreen ground cover include the shiny dark green leaves, with light-pink flowers followed by small red fruit. It will do well in most soils. However, a well drained soil is optimum, and can be planted in full sun or partial shade. This shrub is remarkably easy to care for and quite drought tolerant once established.
The real advantage using native plants like Bearberry is the adaptation to Wyoming extremes of temperatures and fluctuations of moisture during the year. This is not a common plant, but look for it.
