Fragaria vesca
A woodland strawberry producing small white flowers followed by tiny intensely flavored fruit. Spreads by runners to form groundcover. Native across northern hemisphere in woods and clearings. The trifoliate leaves create attractive low mats.
More shade-tolerant than garden strawberries. The wild fruit is prized for concentrated flavor. Suitable for woodland gardens and naturalistic plantings. Some forms are everbearing producing fruit through summer. The spreading habit creates effective groundcover in appropriate sites.
Growing Conditions
Light: part shade to full sun
Moisture: average
Soil: average to moist
Hardiness zone: 3
Maintenance: low
Size & Habit
Height (cm): 15
Spread (cm): 35
Habit: spreading mat
Seasonal Interest
Flowering period: May–July
Seasonal interest: spring to summer bloom and fruit; spreading groundcover
Foliage: green
Flower: white
Ecology & Notes
Wildlife value: pollinators; birds
Deer/Rabbit resistance: moderate
Habitat: woodland gardens; groundcover; naturalistic plantings; shade
Features: small intensely flavored fruit; spreading runners; shade-tolerant; white flowers; woodland native; groundcover
Notes: native northern hemisphere; small flavorful fruit; shade-tolerant; spreading by runners; some everbearing forms