Bearberry prefers arid, open forests, arid moors and xeric heath forests, on rock and sand. It favours the kind of rough granite that make up Arboretum Mustila’s rocks. On sufficiently arid locations bearberry can form beautiful vast pure populations. The red berries are edible but dry and mealy. It is in fact the arbutin-rich leaves that are more interesting in herbal medicine than the berries. They are used in pharmaceutical products e.g. for skin care. Common bearberry is an excellent ground cover for dry areas, especially in sunny forest gardens. In rich soil it cannot fight competition.