- This topic has 7 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 10 years, 4 months ago by
Fey.
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Fey
I’ve just noticed on the Companion plants site, info about growing Uva Ursi;
Quote: It’s range is circumpolar – it’s found in Greenland, Alaska, Canada. Further south it is found in the northern states as well as the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains.
This information might put people off growing it if they live in hotter climates.
Uva Ursi is a very hardy plant that I grow in full sun and it flourishes in high heat when the Arnica starts crawling under the pomegranate to get out of the heat. It was 40C (approx 105F) here not long ago, and it doesn’t balk. It could take temperatures a lot higher than that.
The only rules to follow with growing Uva Ursi is:
1. never ever fertilise. Fertiliser can kill it fast. It likes poor soil; I grow mine in decomposed granite that probably has a little clay in it because it holds moisture well.
2. Don’t let the soil go completely dry.
3. Don’t plant in the shade.
4. It doesn’t like its roots disturbed too much.
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When I bought this plant 4 months ago, it was a couple of sticks with six leaves. It never looked back. It barely filled my palm (dirt included). Is anyone else here growing it outside of the recommended zones?
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IdahoHerbalist
I have been known to kill this plant. Likes poor soil, eh, but does not want to dry out? hmmmmm my first choice is toast until I can get some irrigation to the area.
Sounds like it appreciates the same conditions as Oregon Grape and Balsamroot which grow in many areas within a couple of hours of us.
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Isn’t it strange how things are different on the other side of the planet? I planted the Oregon grape about 14 years ago in a garden top dressed with chook manure. I watered it until it was established…. Maybe six months or so…..and never watered it again. It has survived two droughts since then, one where even generational locals said it was the worst they’d ever seen.
So maybe that’s why I don’t get those nice berries I see in pictures. I’ve never grown Balsamroot, but I’ve got seeds to try.
Here’s my Oregon Grape. It’s about eight feet tall. (Don’t ya love it that I convert to the old-fashioned measurements for you? 🙄 )
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Dr. Patrick Jones
I’ve been growing Uva ursi successfully for a couple of years. It’s in a box with “Mel’s mix” (See Mel Bartholomew’s: Square Foot Gardening).
I’ve never fertilized it but it does get watered daily on the irrigation drip system. Seems pretty happy. It’s in full sun.
Doc
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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Doc Jones wrote: I’ve been growing Uva ursi successfully for a couple of years. It’s in a box with “Mel’s mix” (See Mel Bartholomew’s: Square Foot Gardening).
I’ve never fertilized it but it does get watered daily on the irrigation drip system. Seems pretty happy. It’s in full sun.
Doc
I think there are many herbs that people pass on growing because they’ve been told they won’t grow in their area. I like to give most plants a go. It’s only the real tropicals that cark it as soon as the word “winter” is mentioned that I leave alone.
Ooh, talking about tropicals, all the Ashwagandha that comes up wild here always chooses the southern side of a building…that’s the cool shaded side here.
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Fey wrote:
I think there are many herbs that people pass on growing because they’ve been told they won’t grow in their area. I like to give most plants a go. It’s only the real tropicals that cark it as soon as the word “winter” is mentioned that I leave alone.
Ooh, talking about tropicals, all the Ashwagandha that comes up wild here always chooses the southern side of a building…that’s the cool shaded side here.
I think that’s a great attitude. We won’t know if we don’t try. Steven has managed some things that conventional wisdom would have dismissed as impossible in our area. I’ve had good ashwaghanda crops for the past several years. It won’t over winter but if I’m willing to treat it like an annual I can call it a success.
🙄 Doc
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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Doc Jones wrote: Steven has managed some things that conventional wisdom would have dismissed as impossible in our area. I’ve had good ashwaghanda crops for the past several years. It won’t over winter but if I’m willing to treat it like an annual I can call it a success. 🙄
Doc
Isn’t that strange, Ashwagandha here won’t survive long in full sun, but loves the winters. Your winters must be horribly harsh. I love the cold winters but I love my herbs more. Ashwagandha is one of those good herbs that if you have to grow it as an annual, you just buckle down and do it. Mixed with Schisandra and Siberian Ginseng, it calms and gives a person back a sense of balance and clear thought.
I meant to ask Doc; have you had berries on your Uva ursi yet? Mine is too young…..maybe next year.
I love to hear about everyone’s herbs; hear about how it’s being grown. I wonder sometimes if they will eventually become naturalised, to be able to take the adverse conditions, and begin to grow as if it’s now their normal environment.
Steven rarely mentions what he’s growing 🙁 I know he must grow a lot because he’s always got good advice.
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