Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is in the heath family family (Ericaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,200 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Bearberry: observations by month (U.S.)
About Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a plant species of the genus Arctostaphylos (manzanita). Its common names include kinnikinnick and pinemat manzanita, and it is one of several related species referred to as bearberry.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Bearberry by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 586 | May | May–Jun |
| Washington | 288 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Michigan | 237 | May | May–Jun |
| Montana | 212 | May | May–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 149 | May | Apr–May |
| Alaska | 122 | May | May–Jun |
| Oregon | 112 | May | May–May |
| Idaho | 60 | May | Apr–May |
| Wyoming | 56 | June | May–Jun |
| Minnesota | 53 | May | May–May |
| New Jersey | 49 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Maine | 46 | May | May–May |
| South Dakota | 46 | May | May–Jun |
| New Mexico | 37 | May | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 36 | May | Apr–May |
| Wisconsin | 31 | May | May–Jun |
| New York | 27 | May | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 21 | May | Apr–May |
| Utah | 11 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 9 | May | May–May |
| Rhode Island | 8 | April | Apr–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (heath family)
Striped Wintergreen
Trailing Arbutus
Mountain Laurel
Ghost Pipe
Pipsissewa
Great Rhododendron
Sheep Laurel
Flame Azalea
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Bearberry?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Bearberry most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Washington, Michigan.