~Kinnikinnick~

  An attractive, glossy leaved evergreen native with clusters of pinkish white flowers in late spring.  Berries turn bright red in late summer.  Good for covering banks or cascading over walls and rocks.   This is the 'Massachusetts' variety that will branch better and stay lower than the other ones.

Bloom:  Pinkish white clusters in late spring, followed by bright red berries that can attract birds.

Habit:  3-5" tall by 36" wide in 2-3 years with reasonable care. 

Exposure:  Full sun to part shade. 

Site:  Needs acidic well drained soil.

Spreading rate:  Medium.

Uses:  Great for dry sunny locations, parking strips, and moderately sloped banks.  Use in a large mass planting anywhere a tidy low growing ground cover is needed.  Looks good in rock gardens where runners can fit between stones leaving the stone exposed. 

Fertilizing:  Feed in early spring and again lightly in early fall.  Use a balanced fertilizer, preferably one containing a slow release nitrogen source.  Because of it's preference for acidity, using a plant food suitable for Rhododendrons or Azaleas would be fine.  Always follow the manufacturer's label recommendations when making any applications of fertilizer.  Be sure to rinse the fertilizer off the foliage.

Watering:  Regular summer water should be provided the first couple of years to ensure good plant establishment and to promote maximum growth.  While Kinnikinnick will take dry conditions once established, it flourishes with a couple deep waterings during the driest months of late summer.  It can take hot afternoon sun with reflected heat from asphalt or concrete if you provide it with regular water.

Pruning:  To prune kinnikinnick and have it looking nice after you are done, lift up the branches and trim the lowest ones back. When you are finished the upper most foliage will then cover the clipped stems.  This is how the pro's do it so it won't  look "chopped" when you are done.

Foot traffic:  An occasional walk through is okay. 

Hardiness:  -30° to -20° F.