Kinnickinnick / Bearberry Seeds - Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi - Perennial & Useful
Quantity: 10 Seeds
Kinnickinnick is a shrub in the Heather family, Ericaceae. It's native to North America, and is hardy down to zone 4. It's been grown for its edible, ornamental, and medicinal qualities, so almost any gardener can find a use for it. The plants are evergreen and hold on to their berries, so they retain their beauty all through the winter. The berries are rather neutral in flavour but very high in pectin, so they make for a very useful thickener for jams. The seed however is tough and should be sifted out. The berries have also been used by Native Americans for centuries as both food and medicine. The leaves contain hydroquinones, so they're said to be a very effective antibacterial, especially when it comes to urinary tract infections. The leaves are antiseptic, diuretic, hypnotic, tonic, and astringent.
All seeds are organic and open pollinated.
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Growing Instructions
For best results, start Kinnickinnick seeds outdoors either directly or in pots about 1-2 weeks before the first frost. The soil should be kept moist, but not damp. Seeds require about 90 days of stratification to germinate. Sow the seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch below the soil surface. Once germinated, and the first true leaf has formed, it's time to pot up to a larger container that contains a good quality potting soil if planted in a pot. Transplant to their final location when the nighttime temperatures are consistently 8°C or higher.